Funschool Math game for preschool

Internet can be of a help or a hindrance in aiding children’s education. It will be of a help when we focus on enhancing the existing curriculum with online activities that encourage exploration, imagination, collaboration and problem-solving. Nonetheless, there are inappropriate and unsuitable online activities for young children thus as professional early childhood educators, we should be careful when selecting online activities for young children.

We (early childhood educators) should try out and analyse the online activities before letting our children to play them. If the game is badly chosen, it will have negative aftermath on young children. Also, parents and teacher should work hand-in-hand in exposing the use of internet to children. Teachers alone cannot complete the entire task as children still spend most of their times at home with parents. We also come to an understanding that “you” parents have a very busy schedule therefore our sites will be updating a series of games reviews ranging from language to math and science on a weekly basis so as to reduce “you” parents workload.

We will be focusing on MATHEMATICS activities this week.

Game 1 ) Fishin' Mission

The first online activity that we would like to introduce is Fishin’ Mission which placed focus on mathematical skill, specifically on counting and sorting skills.

The site, however, does not state the age appropriateness for this game so we went through the game and come to a conclusion that the age appropriateness of this game is between 4 to 5 years old (N2s-K1s) as it will required children to be able to recognize number 1-15 and to be able segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion, which in this case is colours.

The instructions are clear and simple, understandable for the 5 years old. However, there are no auditory instructions, for the 4 years old children, an adult might have to be there to explain the instructions to them.

Stage 1: catch the number of the fishes that the children will have to catch is below 5
Stage 2: the number increased to a maximum of 10
Stage 3: Another type of fish will be added in, the number of fishes that children have to catch is below 5
Stage 4: The number increased to a maximum of 15
Stage 5: Another fish will be added in, making there 3 types of fishes for the children to sort. The number here will stay in a range of 1-15.

With the description above, it shows that there is a gradual increase in the difficulty of the game. We feel that is a good because the stages are like a guide for children as it expands the complexity.

This game required the child to put the correct (required) fish into the net as well as catch the correct number of fish as shown in the picture. If the child put the wrong (required) fish into the net, a word "sorry" will appear on the screen. The net will then break and the old man will be screaming; indicating that they have picked the wrong fish.

The cute animation of the man with the sound effect makes the game fun. Even when the child might get an answer wrong, it is not harsh to the children. it also attracts the children thus making them wanting to play more.



There is also another limiting factor for the children, which is the time. Time given here are reasonable as they take into consideration the fine motor skills that the children will need to have to use the mouse.

However, if the child do no complete within the time limit, the game will end and children can try again by just simply clicking on the "try again" button.

In this game, encouragements are given every time the player gets a correct answer. This motives and challenges the child to move on to the harder/next level.

At the end of this game, a "great job" will appear giving children encouragement that they have complete all the 5 levels successfully. This makes children feel good and children will want to accept harder challenges in the future.

To sum it up, Fishin’ Mission matches to our math curriculum as children are required to do counting and sorting. It is age-appropriate for children between 4-5 years old and the instructions provided are simple and clear but it could be better if auditory. Nonetheless, the game did have sound effect which makes the whole game more exciting for the children. Not to mention, the game is easy to navigate. Teachers to open the website and find the game and children can explore the game on their own without much problem. Also, fishing is something that teacher can relate to children through a proper lesson giving children ideas what does fishermen do. Lastly, the site is technical problem, as well as, violence free and it does not require any additional software which might add costs. So let your child try out the game today since it does not cost a cent.

To try out this game, click here ! :D

We will rate this game 4/5! Worth to try it out :)

Game 2) Addition Attack

This is the second web activity, “Addition Attack” that we would like to introduce this week. This game placed focus on mathematical skill, specifically addition skill.

This game, like the one above, did not state age appropriateness so through trying out the game, we deduce that the age appropriateness of this game is between 5 to 6 years old (K1s-K2s) as it required children to be able to recognize number 1-20 and to be able to add them up.

The instruction given at the start of the game is clear and understandable for children age 6 as they already have a certain vocabulary bank. However, teacher might have to take some time off to explain the instruction to the 5 years old as they might not have the vocabulary bank to understand the instruction fully. Also, the game does not provide auditory.

However, this does not make the game any less interesting. Using “UFOs are invading earth!”, to start the instruction, is catchy and it makes it exciting for the children and engage them to anticipate in playing the game. It will seem as though they are superhero with a heavy responsibility to save the world within a limited time.

Even so it is exciting for the child, do let the child know that the "UFOs" is just objects of a game and not something that will have in life as it is a unrealistic representation that is irrelevant to the children.

When the children answer the sum correctly, a tick will appear to tell the children that they got the right answer.



When the children answer the sum wrongly, a cross will appear.

In this math game, “Addition Attack”, children must add single-and-double digit numbers seen from the top of the screen and move the yellow cannon using their mouse to aim and shoot at the UFO that has the correct answer. This not only enhances children addition skill, it also enhances children’s fine motor skills as they have to move, aim and shoot accurately.

The game concept makes it fun and exciting for children as compared to simple boring textbook. In addition, the colours used in this game are bright and contrasting which steal children’s attention, making them wanting to try on and challenge this game. The cute animation of the game with the sound effects are also able to attract that children's attention.

Not to mention that this game has five stages. As the children move on to the next stage, the standard of that stage will increase, thus expanding the complexity.

At the same time, with every stage the children passed, an encouragement would appear on the screen. This gives children a sense of accomplishment and it encourages them to continue on with the game. A smiley face will also appear at the bottom right hand corner of the screen as a reminder to the child playing the game what stage is he or she in.

If children were to click/shoot at the wrong answer, the UFOs will move nearer and nearer to the yellow cannon. When the UFOs is too near the cannon, the cannon will "explode" and children will accumulate one red cross. If the child hit 3 red cross, the game will be over. But there is always the "try again" button which makes is easier for the children if they want to play again.

At the end of 5 stages, another encouragement would be shown and this once again gives the children a sense of accomplishment and makes them feel good about themselves. This is something we would like them to feel as they will be willing to try other additions questions by themselves next time.

In conclusion, “Addition Attack” matches to our math curriculum and is definitely appropriate for children between 5-6 years old. The instructions are simple and precise. However, it would be better if they provide auditory as some children might not have enough vocabulary bank to understand the instruction fully. The game is also easy for children to navigate. Teachers only have to open up the website followed by the game and children will be able to explore the game on their own. Although UFOs is not something that is very realistic but at least it is something children can relate to. The site also does not faces any technical problem or require any software. It's absolutely free!

Therefore, we conclude that this game is definitely beneficial to your children of 5/6 years old.

To try out this game, click here :)

We will rate this game a 4/5! Go and have some fun now!