Kids Academy Learning Games

I’m so disappointed to write this review. I’ve been a fan of “Kids Academy” and their material. My son has always been really interested in technology so a platform such as this one allowed me to expose him without feeling too guilty about screen time. We started purchasing exercise apps from the group (which was a huge success) and later decided to give a try to the subscription option. Unfortunately this app, the one they develop to support the “academy path”, is full of glitches. From the long time it takes to download content, to the constant (soooo constant) clashes, to exiting out of the classroom section,... they just can’t keep my sons attention for very long. After 10 min, having to restarted 2 times and waiting forever for the video to download, and the elephant saying “watch the video” that never starts, my son just throws a “I don’t want to do this anymore” and we are done. Oh well... I guess I don’t want to do this anymore either. We are locked for 2 more month in the quarterly subscription but plan to cancel after that.

I get so frustrated with this app because it gets stuck loading something half the time and it gives instructions you have to skip skip skip through even though we’ve done it several times an know what to do. . It is really just worksheets so you might as well get a book of worksheets. And this only gives a few worksheets and then you have to go to the website or something to get more. Why not just have more available to continue? We like to do them with the Apple Pencil so that makes it more fun but not everyone has that and a pro. The worksheets don’t always seem appropriate sometimes. PK is too easy but sometimes K or 1 are too difficult - the jump is too much. I like that it has so much to offer but so far it is frustrating and not worth the hefty price. Some if it might be my fault because I haven’t figured out how to access more worksheets or find the activity I want or the video the kids want but I don’t really want to take the time to navigate this app that should be more intuitive.

Are use this app with and several moderate to severe autistic middle schoolers and they love it! I love that there are so many mini games within the app and they are all very high-quality. The games engage a wide range of my students and the overall app is designed in such a way that all of the different games feel distinct from each other, but carry over enough design elements across the different games to build a sense of familiarity and confidence when a student tries a new game for the first time. The games cover skills that are actually very key to cognitive development, like sequencing, sorting based on different attributes, and matching. I have honestly worked with several 13-15 year old special needs students who have NEVER been successful with using an iPad and learning with an iPad who were then completely successful with this app!!!