Kandoobi: Animal Edition
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 7:43AM 
Kandoobi: Animal Edition
by Kandoobi
Has your child “kandoobi” lately? Are you wondering what that even means? If so, then it’s time to meet the next educational app developers from Kandoobi. They are a development group designing apps so “kids can do” on their own or with the support of a parent. They recently released Kandoobi: Animals Edition for all Apple devices running iOS 4.3 or later. It is a creative application designed for toddlers and preschoolers. This target audience love to manipulate and explore. Well, now it is time to accomplish those two things as they encounter 100+ adorable animals all dolled up. For $2.99 and one simple download, users will get their hands on four interactive games. Whether you are playing at home, school or on the go, your child will soon be saying they “kando.” Kandoobi: Animal Edition encourages letter recognition, builds one’s creativity and imagination and allows users to manipulate and match animals from all types of environments. Come fly, swim, slither or walk in order to have some fun!
Knowing the population that this educational app was designed for, developers have certainly created a very kid friendly navigation menu, intuitive tasks and buttons as directions are very short and sweet. In addition, we immediately noticed how both verbal and visual representations were incorporated on the main menu as a way to support all learning styles. Whether your child is a toddler, preschooler or grade level, they want to hear or see words of encouragement. Throughout each game, reinforcements are presented as auditory sounds such as: a bounce, pop or magical stars. As they game for a reason, users will certainly not be surprised or confused when they play the pre-installed games - Letters, Coloring, Scratch & Fill or Matching.
Letters - Upon entering the first academic game, users are presented with a 6 page catalogue of animals to choose from. Whether the animal is known as a creature to fear or “ooh and ahh” over, illustrators have done a nice job at designing colorful and eye pleasing graphics with their wonderful expressions and unusual accessories. It is up to the user where they would like to begin. As an animal is chosen, game play within Letters continues in order from that particular animal. Immediately, users will notice that the screen is divided into three parts: draggable Scrabble pieces on the left, animal graphic on the right and its corresponding word at the bottom, grayed out. It is up to the user to match those grayed out letters at the bottom with those Scrabble like pieces by simply dragging and dropping them into their correct places. If a Scrabble like piece is tapped, the narrator will announce that letters name. As users begin to recognize and match letters, it is also important to note that they do not have to be dropped in any particular order. If letters are dropped incorrectly, they will bounce back. Once the animal’s name is spelled, both letters and animal will animate across the screen. Game play continues as the train drops off and introduces the next animal friend.
The next gaming option is Coloring which allows users to be creative as they learn various art skills. As they color with Kandoobi: Animal Edition, children will build their vocabulary of color names while manipulating three writing utensils: a pencil, paint brush and an eraser. Coloring exploration can occur in two ways, with those animals previously seen in the “animal catalogue” or as free choice. Regardless of which is chosen, users are given a paint palette of both primary and secondary colors. Depending on a users age and creative need will determine if a thin lined pencil or a thick stroke of a paint brush is required for their coloring page. If mistakes are made, no need to panic, developers have also included an eraser. As coloring pages are complete, share them with others by simply tapping the button in the upper left hand corner, as it is saved to your devices camera roll.
Does your child or student have difficulty with their fine motor skills, but love to be creative? Then, the next gaming option of Scratch & Fill is just what you are looking for. Scratch & Fill does not require users to stay within the lines, simply swipe your finger from left to right, up and down and the colors will come alive within the picture. The last gaming feature called Matching is one that has children manipulating with puzzles. At the top of the screen users will see an outline of an animal. While at the bottom of the screen are three choices. The goal is to simply drag, drop and match the correct animal puzzle piece.
Kandoobi: Animal Edition is very academically appropriate for this age level. It provides just the right amount of repetition, supports ones creativity, and allows for independence. It is an educational app that disguises learning as fun. To learn more about the Kandoobi development group be sure to visit their website here. If you are looking to stimulate your child’s need for creativity and imagination, then begin downloading Kandoobi: Animal Edition to your iTunes library by simply clicking here.
This review and many others are featured on Fun Educational Apps, AppStar Picks and iear.org
