As a grandma on the go, I’m always interested in apps for my grandson. The challenge is finding something that will hold his attention (while say we’re waiting for a table at dinner) AND one that my daughter will approve (they can’t be “mindless” games). My Lumia 928 Windows phone not only has a whole library of apps both free and for purchase, but there is an entire section dedicated solely to Nokia. This allows me to get one of a kind apps that you can’t get on just any Smartphone.

I recently came across an app that has quickly become Prince’s favorite (and the most used on my Nokia phone). The Pre School Essentials (GuruCool Playschool) by KidZone Studios, Inc. has everything a 3 year old entering Nursery School wants to see. The best part was we were able to sample EACH component of the app prior to purchasing.

The GuruCool Playschool focuses on five different areas: Shapes, Tracing, Colors, ABCs, and Numbers. Each area introduces the lesson by performing different tasks.

 

Shapes: The shape section shows a shape on the screen, names the shape and then provides a picture containing the shape. The pre-schooler must fit the shape into the picture (by dragging the shape into the marked section). Once the shape is in the correct area, the picture comes to life! They use more than one picture for each shape, and then incorporate more than one shape in each picture! After a few colors puzzle pieces are provided which allows the child to link the matching colors.

 

 

ABCs: The ABC section notonly provides the letters, but also indicates the sound for each letter. The letter breaks into puzzle pieces requiring the pre-schooler to fit the pieces together (and see how to write the letter). Once the letter pieces are together, a picture populates (ie. the letter A and an Apple). My grandson’s favorite part is repeating the sound each letter makes and trying to incorporate that sound in the picture provided. After a few letters, puzzles pieces are provided in this section as well allowing the child to match the letter to the appropriate picture.

 

 

Numbers: The number section indicates the number, shows pictures representing the number, and then prompts the child to count the pictures. The puzzle matching section is done is two forms. The pre-schooler matches the actual number with the appropriate quantity, then another puzzle is provided that requires a match of the quantities. This ensures that my grandson is not only recognizing the number, but also physically counting the quantities.

 

 

 

Tracing: The trace with me section allows your pre-schooler to trace the shapes and patterns, while trying to guess the images that will be revealed. The full game has Under the Sea images ranging from fish and squid to anchors and submarines.

 

 

 

 

Colors: The color section reveals a color (starting with primary colors). Two images are then revealed with the colors. The following screen prompts the pre-schooler to connect a puzzle piece- one side containing the color and the other side containing one of the images.

 

 

 

 

With the various areas of this app, Prince is entertained long enough to complete each module (and gets us through the restaurant wait for dinner). He can also bounce from numbers and letters to something he loves like drawing (tracing) and trying to guess the image!

What is your favorite educational app?