Becca’s Matching Game is an app based on the classic game of memory. Kids match games are a great way to help your child expand their cognitive development. This game helps them to utilize the memory and problem solving parts of their brains. The games require concentration from your child as they remember and match up the correlating memory cards. Another twist this specific app adds to the game of memory is color association and object association. Having your child match a color splash with an object that is of the same color, as well as correlating objects that might not necessarily match in picture form, but have an association with each other for example a rain cloud and an umbrella or cow and milk.
The app’s opening screen gives you three options: to play the game, access the parents section, or access the settings section. The parents section requires a swipe of an icon to enter, although easily performed by little fingers. It shares information about the designer, as well as the developmental focal points of the game. You also can rate the app, view more games by this developer, or contact the developers.
The Settings screen also requires a swipe of an icon to enter. Here you can adjust the number of cards being played at a time from 4, 6, 8 , 0r 12; and select the type of game being played: Images, Associations, or Colors. I found that for my two-year-old, he does best when I un-selected the Associations and only left images and colors in the mix. Feel free to play around with this option and change to your child’s developmental level. Associations tend to be more advanced, with colors being moderate and images being easiest. There is also a setting to change the card facing. The blank card means the cards will start face up, your child will be able to view them all at once and select the matching cards. The question mark (?) means the cards will be flipped over; this resembles the classic game of memory. Your child will have to remember what card was flipped over making it a more challenging game. You can select one or the other or both to have the game be a mixed of the two. With all the available settings, this game offers a lot of variety and differing levels of difficulty. A great game to grow with your child as their brain advances.
To play the game is pretty straight forward. Your child is given the number of cards you determined in the settings and is asked to match them accordingly. There are vocal prompts stating “nope, sorry” or “that’s not right, but don’t give up” when non-matching cards are selected. When a correct match is made vocal prompts stating “good” or “you did it!” are spoken. The game randomizes through the selected setting choices and continues to repeat until your child decides he or she is finished. To exit the game screen there is an icon that needs to be swiped to the left.
Daisy’s Comments
I really enjoy this classic, simple app. This app is best geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. I enjoyed the many settings and options to make this game more advanced or easy depending on my child’s developmental level. So I know this game will grow with my son as his skill level advances. I found having the associations in the mixed was rather confusing to my toddler at this time, especially after a color match game. It was hard for him to switch from matching by color to matching by correlation when some of the associations photos were of the same color. But I know in a year or so I will be able to add that into the mix and spark a new interest in this educational app.
Becca’s Matching Game is available for iPhone, iPod and iPAD. It is $1.99 on App Store.
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Today’s app is reviewed by Daisy Simpson. Daisy is a proud mom to an active toddler and works part-time in a hospital where she utilizes technology in her work with helping kids cope in the medical setting. Her family loves being outdoors experiencing all Minnesota has to offer.
