Lil Sub ABC - Learn to Spell Sea Animals and Beach Toys

Review

Common Sense Media says

Colorful, giggle-inducing alphabet practice for toddlers.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Lil Sub ABC - Learn to Spell Sea Animals and Beach Toys will visually appeal to toddlers and young preschoolers with its bright and fun inside-the-sub-eye view. It may help them start to identify letters as it repeats the alphabet aloud and displayed in large popping letters every six objects. But it probably won't help them spell the 20-odd objects they'll encounter -- difficulty varies from words like "star" to "plankton."

  • Ease of use4
    The app is just one screen with a sub's view of the ocean. Tap a depth meter to move up and down three levels -- about a half-dozen animals and objects reside in each level and pop up when you tap the sub glass. Capital letters name the object and can either be tapped on in any order or disappear as each letter is called out in order. After six words the whole alphabet appears -- each letter either pops and is called out when tapped or is called out and popped in order. Tapping on the musical notes turns the music off and on. Tapping on two bolts in the sub releases bubbles. Tap the compass to move a little left and right.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
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Is it any good?

 

LIL SUB ABC's design will definitely grab kids right away. It's pretty cool to look through a sub window and see animals and objects float on by. The crab smiling as it pops up larger than life against the glass will definitely elicit a jump and a giggle. It's also fun to make bubbles and go up and down (though kids would probably like the sub to go much faster, even if it wouldn't be quite accurate to have it racing through the sea).

It would be great if there were more words than the 20 or so there are to learn here, and at increasing levels of difficulty rather than mixed together. Still, kids can enjoy the sub ride and take in the fun sights, while parents can hope toddlers absorb some ABCs like the little sea sponges they are.

This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
Teen, 13 years old
March 2, 2012
AGE
2
 
Good
Good for the young ones
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This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
Topics:numbers and letters, ocean creatures
Category:Educational Games
Platforms:iPad
Price:$1.99
Size:18.70 MB
Publisher:Jill Pestka
Version:1.0.7
Release date:February 2, 2012
Minimum software requirements:iOS 4.3 or later
This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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