Reader Rabbit's Math Ages 4-6
Copyright: KBkids.com
This 'new' program from The Learning Company has been around in one form or another for many years. Many of the math games included on the Math 4-6 CD were around in the days when you ran programs off of real floppy disks...remember back that far? That would make them classics in a sense, just don't expect startling new math games here.
Reader Rabbit's Math 4-6 is a two CD package. The bonus CD is Treasure Mathstorm!, another TLC standard. Treasure Mathstorm is recommended, however, for children ages 5-9, so may be too difficult for the intended audience. Reader Rabbit's Math includes the older games from the original Math Rabbit program, plus a few additional games.
The math CD consists of two basic activity areas. Math Rabbit's Circus of numbers contains all of the older games you have most likely already seen. A second area consists of an amusement park with a few newer activities. The layout is basically the same as it was in the 'olden days.' Your child visits certain rides, or carnival activities, earning coins for correct answers. Once three or more coins have been earned, he or she can enter the prize booth and select one of several animated 'gifts.'
The Circus games are fairly easy to understand, and are each multilevel activities. Your child will select the skill level each time he or she enters each game. They are not strong in the manipulative, 'hands-on' arena, but are still worthwhile math activities. This just may not be your first choice for introducing math concepts. The Mighty Math series is much better for this purpose.
The Calliope Counting Game: Calliope music is made with Math Rabbit as your instructor. Basic counting skills covered.
Tightrope Show: Find correct answers to equations and help Math Rabbit sort them into 'incorrect' and 'correct' piles. Sea Lion Show: Another solve the equation activity where Math Rabbit tries to place numbers on each seal's ball. Can be set to show problems ranging from 1-99 if desired.
Balloon Matching Game: A basic concentration game where answers are matched with their corresponding equation. At Level 1, your child will simply match numbers with pictured objects.
The newer Carnival area contains a car race game where your child will answer addition and subtraction problems as quickly as possible. The speed and level can be set by the child. The Log Ride finds your child placing pieces of a ladder together to solve math equations so that Math Rabbit can climb to the top of the Log Ride and slide down. The Roller Coaster is a number pattern activity with skills ranging from counting by ones, to counting by 7's, 9's, or 11's.
The Treasure Mathstorm CD is a bonus CD math adventure game. Kids will enjoy this game, and will get plenty of math practice along the way, but it is generally much too hard for the 4 and 5 crowd. The emphasis in this entire package is on math drill rather than conceptual understanding. It is fairly low key drill, and as fun as drill can be. There is a place for drill, but you may want to select this package after the underlying concepts are grasped.
Bottom Line: A reincarnation of the original Math Rabbit which also includes Treasure Mathstorm. Not a manipulative based program, but appropriate if you are looking for a basic math drill program for your youngsters.
Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)
Overall: 3
BrainGain: 3
FunFactor: 3
EasePlease: 4
Buy the new Reader Rabbit Adapt Math 4-6 from Amazon which personalizes the lessons based on your child's needs!
