Giggle Tree

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Overview

Giggle Tree is a simple to use app that combines music and memory to create a game that children will love. With 4 memory activities to enjoy, children will enjoy exploring all of the fun giggle bugs and the musical instruments they play.

• 4 Memory activities
• Sticker book
• Easy to use

Quality

Giggle Tree is fun app full of wonderful images and illustrations that children will love. Gigglebugs are exotic looking creatures that make fun noises and play great music and the developers have done a nice job creating an easy to use interface for children to explore these silly bugs.

Education

This app is great for children that need a bit of practice for focus and memory. Each Gigglebug hides behind various leaves and players must find each match by remembering each bug’s location. Once a match is found, children are greeted with a fun musical number as the bugs begin to play their instruments. While there aren’t any other educational aspects to this app, there are 4 memory activities that increase in difficulty which gives children a nice challenge.

Entertainment

Aptly named, Giggle Tree is sure to bring some giggles to players as they explore the various music playing bugs that are hiding in the trees. With each new match, children enjoy a nice tune as the bugs play their instruments. There is also a sticker book that players can enjoy. For each new match that is found, a new sticker goes into the sticker book allowing little ones to decorate pages later. This simple addition creates a bit of diversity and certainly increases the entertainment value of the app.

Value

Priced at just under two dollars, this app is a great deal. Perfect for parents that are looking for a fun way to help children focus and work on their memory, this app offers lots of practice at a price that won’t break the bank.

Child Friendliness

With a fairly intuitive set up this app allows children to freely explore and play without a lot of instruction which is great. The easy to use tap and touch functioning is particularly good for young children and the open ended play allows players to use this app over and over again.

• Protected parent area (can contain external links & social media)
• NO external links
• NO social media
• NO in-app purchase
• NO 3rd party ads
• YES “more apps” (protected, but visible)

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Thinkrolls 2

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Overview

Thinkrolls is back and this time it is introducing kids to new physics concepts. Like the first version of Thinkrolls, Thinkrolls 2 has kids guide a series of adorable round characters through a series of challenging mazes. This time instead of munching their way through cookies or watching balloons float, they’re experimenting with seven new items including accordions, water and barrels, eggs, fans, wormholes, batteries, and light bulbs. With these new items come even more challenges for kids to work their way through, building a basic knowledge of physics at the same time.

• Multiple levels to unlock
• Easy and Hard modes
• Many characters to chose from
• Seven new physics-based components
• Up to 6 player profiles

Quality

Thinkrolls 2’s quality doesn’t disappoint. Much like the original game, kids enter the app on a main screen. There they can select the player and start playing the game. Parents have the option to add up to 6 players and choose the level of difficulty for each player, so kids 5 and up can play at the hard level, while under 5 are set at easy. At first, only a few characters and levels are unlocked, but once kids play through the different levels, they unlock new characters and even more levels. In the actual game, occasionally the accordions are hard to move from side to side, but it tends to be more due to impatient fingers than an actual lag in the app.

Education

While the app introduces kids to new physics concepts, it doesn’t stand out as much for the science as for the problem-solving and critical thinking kids have to do. Even adults may find themselves puzzled by a few of the challenges. The eggs are particularly challenging because they crack easily, but it just requires kids to think more carefully as they use them. The app does a great job of scaffolding as well, starting kids with an introduction to the different objects and gradually making the tasks more difficult. Once kids get the hang of using a particular object, the app combines it with other objects too, making it even trickier.

Entertainment

What Thinkrolls 2 focuses more on than the original Thinkrolls is patience. Kids will have fun rolling through the mazes, but at times they’ll have to stop and wait for a battery to stop carrying a charge or a wormhole exit to appear in a proper spot. For some kids, having to be patient will be a bit frustrating, but most will be so excited to see their characters disappear into a wormhole and reappear somewhere else that they’ll quickly forget about the wait. Others will have just as much fun not being patient and watching their characters fry as they land on live batteries.

Value

There isn’t a lot out there like Thinkrolls, which makes it worth a download. It isn’t priced extravagantly either, especially considering it’s an app that will entertain kids (and adults) for a long time.

Child Friendliness

Thinkrolls 2 is easy for kids to navigate and encourages them to focus on the game. All parent-related information is contained behind a parental block. Parents should note, however, that accessing most of that information requires internet access.

• Protected parent area (can contain external links & social media)
• NO external links
• NO social media
• NO in-app purchase
• NO 3rd party ads
• YES More Apps (protected, but visible)

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Asia Unites Against Poaching

Representatives from 13 Asian countries committed to immediate action to stamp out poaching at the conclusion of a four-day symposium hosted by the Nepal government in Kathmandu from February 2-6, 2015.

The Symposium: Towards Zero Poaching in Asia adopted five recommendations:

• Swift and decisive action to elevate the importance and effectiveness of antipoaching initiatives and cooperation among all relevant ministries, departments and agencies within their borders, while at the same time strengthening international cooperation in the face of this serious criminal activity.
• Adoption of the Zero Poaching Tool Kit and assessment of current antipoaching responses to determine improvements and close serious gaps.
• Increase and improve collaboration as a successful antipoaching response is critically dependant on effectively engaging a diverse number of shareholders
• Improve standards, training and support for rangers, other frontline staff and prosecutors.
• Commit to identifying a Zero Poaching national contact point to effectively coordinate transboundary efforts to stop poaching.

Tika Ram Adhikari, Director General of Nepal’s Department of Wildlife Conservation and Soil Conservation, said: “Nepal was proud to host this vital conversation in Asia because we recognize that poaching is robbing us of our wildlife wealth, which includes tigers, rhinos and elephants. We cannot allow wildlife crime to continue to wrap its tentacles deeper into the region. Our individual efforts may win us a few battles, but we can only win the war if Asia presents a united front to stop the poaching, end the trafficking and wipe out demand.”

Mike Baltzer, Leader, WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, said: “This is the beginning of the end for poaching across Asia. WWF is proud to have supported this landmark meeting and is committed to be part of the new determined movement for Zero Poaching in Asia.”

Nepal was the natural host for the symposium having achieved zero poaching for two years in the past four years. At the symposium, representatives from local communities, protected areas as well as enforcement agencies shared their lessons lea

At the closing ceremony, Nepal’s legendary Chitwan National Park (CNP) also became the first global site to be accredited as Conservation Assured Tiger Standard (CA|TS).Despite the threats that CNP faces, the protected area has seen an increasingly effective management and protection regime. This further demonstrates the commitment of Nepal towards zero poaching.

Thirteen Asian countries participated in the symposium: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Russia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Lao PDR. Partner NGOs and other organisations included IUCN, TRAFFIC, CITES, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, US Department of Justice, SMART Partnership and Southern African Wildlife College.

WWF co-hosted the symposium with Global Tiger Forum, National Trust for Nature Conservation and the South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network.

The symposium provides valuable direction on tackling poaching in advance of the Kasane Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade to be hosted by the Botswana government on 25th March 2015. This meeting follows the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade hosted by the UK government in February 2014, where 41 governments committed to taking “decisive and urgent action….” through the agreed declaration.

Holidays 2 – 4 great Easter games for smart kids

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Overview

Whether you’re looking for games for Easter or simply want some fun arcade-style games for kids, Holidays 2 – 4 great Easter games for smart kids is a good choice. As the subtitle suggests, the app offers four different Easter games designed to challenge kids and build their logic and reasoning skills. While designed for kids ages 4-7, older kids and even adults will find themselves entertained by the challenging games.

• Four arcade-style games
• Easter-themed images
• Time to control play time
• Safe play environment for kids

Quality

The app gets kids’ attention with its colorful Easter-themed graphics. Each of the four games is represented by an Easter egg sitting in a field of grass. Tapping on an egg, gives kids access to the particular game. Since all of the games are modeled on common arcade games, they are pretty easy to learn how to play. The app assumes this by hiding instructions in an info button rather than displaying them when kids first open the game. For most of the games the instructions are not needed, but they would be helpful to review before playing the code game.

Education

This app is not being rated for education.

Entertainment

All of the games have that slightly addicting quality you expect from traditional arcade-style games. Each game also offers enough of a challenge to keep kids wanting to play more. For example, during the Connect 4 game, the bunny proves to be a formidable opponent, keeping kids on their toes. The code game is also incredibly challenging, especially when played without the numbers. All of the games help kids keep their logic and spatial reasoning skills sharp.

Value

Many of the games available in the app can be played online for free. The only difference is they don’t come with fun Easter images. They’re also not usually found in a protected environment. The app provides both, making it a better option than some of the free versions out there.

Child Friendliness

Developers have taken care to make sure the app is suitable for kids. The details are included in a protected parent section. There parents can also set a timer to control how long kids can play the app. The timer can be set in five minute intervals.

• Protected parent area (contains external links and access to social media)
• NO external links
• NO social media
• NO in-app purchase
• NO 3rd party ads

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Max & Ruby’s Bunny Bakeoff

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Overview

No, Max! Rocks don’t go in the scones! In Max & Ruby’s Bunny Bakeoff kids head to the kitchen with Max, Ruby, and their grandma to bake up some delicious goodies. From making scones to churning their own ice cream, kids will get the chance to put their cooking skills to the test. Of course, when Max is involved, there are guaranteed to be a few surprises along the way. Whether it’s suggesting kids add rocks to the scones or offering up a delicious mud pie, Max has plenty of silliness to contribute to the process.

• A book of recipes
• Real and disgusting foods
• Bake or paint options
• Step-by-step instructions
• Character coloring pages

Quality

The app opens with a developer video that kids can skip by simply tapping the screen. From there, they can decide whether to start baking or get painting. Kids will find both sections easy to navigate. Clear instructions will guide kids through the recipes in the cooking section and reward them with positive praise for a job well done. In the painting section, kids will find a series of Max & Ruby-themed coloring pages and easy-to-use tools. The colors stay in the lines within the picture too, making it easy for little fingers to color the picture exactly the way they want.

Education

While not extremely advanced, the baking section of the app helps teach kids about following a recipe. When kids decide what to make, they follow a series of steps to help them add all of the ingredients and properly prepare the food. While none of the measurements are exact (when told to add a little bit of milk to make ice cream, for example, the game adds more than “a little”), the game still introduces kids to cooking terminology, such as a cup, a pinch, mix, and stir. Kids get to use different kitchen tools too, such as a cheese grater when making pizza and an ice cream churn while making fresh ice cream for Max.

Entertainment

Kids will have fun following the recipes to make scones, pizza, fruit tarts, ice cream cones, and a whole host of other foods. They’ll also love Max’s antics throughout the process. For example, Max frequently suggests they add rocks to the food. He also regularly appears with mud pies and suggests kids make disgusting treats of their own. While fairly standard, the coloring pages are also fun for kids. They’ll particularly enjoy the ability to add fun stickers to each of the pages.

Value

From the different color pages to the wealth of recipes kids can make with Max and Ruby, the app is a good value. Kids will come back to it again and again to see what else they can make.

Child Friendliness

On the main screen, kids can tap on the More Apps button to see all of the other apps Cupcake Digital offers. Access to the apps is protected by a parental lock, but it won’t stop kids from begging for new apps. Beyond that, the app is very child friendly. It’s easy for kids to get into the games and to start enjoying baking or painting with Max and Ruby.

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• Protected parent area (can contain external links & social media)
• NO external links
• NO social media
• NO in-app purchase
• NO 3rd party ads
• YES (protected, but visible) more apps section

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Babies' body mass index may predict childhood obesity

Great CHOP study is the rate of childhood obesity may be related to child growth standards

 

Body mass index (BMI) during childhood can help predict whether a child will be obese within four years. In a study on childhood obesity IMC-child relationship in a cohort with most black children, researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) say that a better understanding of child growth models can be the first efforts more effective in preventing obesity.

 

Everolimus-eluting stents or bypass surgery for multivessel coronary disease

test results and registry studies have shown the long-term mortality is lower after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with multivessel disease. These previous analyzes did not assess PCI with drug-eluting stents second generation. In a registry study of contemporary clinical practice, the risk of death associated with PCI with everolimus-eluting stents was similar to that of the CRC. PCI was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (in patients with incomplete revascularization) and repeat revascularization, but a lower risk of stroke.

MiniChess by Kasparov

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Overview

MiniChess by Kasparov is designed to help introduce young children to the game of chess through an engaging, interactive story. The game is loaded with dozens of puzzles and activities that teach the prerequisite skills for the game, and also sharpen spatial skills, math skills and other important academics.

• Learn through play
• Engaging plot to hold children’s interest
• Build math and spatial skills
• Colorful animated characters
• Professional, child-friendly narration

Quality

MiniChess by Kasparov is a high-quality children’s app that is suitable for a wide range of age groups. The app is intuitive to use, with easy-to-follow verbal and graphic instructions at each step of the way. Developers have incorporated many helps for young users, including flashing attention grabbers to show where to tap or what to do next, verbal instructions, and highlighting.

Education

MiniChess by Kasparov teaches children a host of important skills in the process of helping them learn to play chess. Chess is a complex game and requires a lot of foundational learning. Players must understand counting, shapes, orientation, and more. MiniChess takes players on a journey that teaches all of these skills, step by step, with Cheddar the Mouse. Each stop along the trip from Cheddar’s home to the castle, and later through the castle, incorporates an engaging game for kids to play that will help develop the needed skills and also improve academic development. There are games that help with shape recognition, counting, simple math operations like adding and subtracting, matching, finding similarities and differences, closure, and more. In addition, developers have managed to incorporate vocabulary development, letters and sounds and a host of other readiness and early academic skills. They really covered all their bases, and by the end of the app, most children will truly be ready to play the game and succeed in school.

Sometimes it is tough to tell that this app ultimately is intended to teach children about the game of chess. Each activity is so finely focused that it may seem unconnected. For example, there is one exercise that teaches children the words “horizontal,” “vertical” and “diagonal.” It’s a great vocabulary exercise, but you might have to think for a while to see that chess players need to understand these words. There’s something magical about learning in this way, and kids will quickly internalize the knowledge. They’ll be able to use it all for a host of different activities as they move through life.

Entertainment

This app is based on an engaging story as the main character makes his way to a chess challenge with the king. The animation, while simple, is effective. For many sequences, movement through the plot is accomplished by a series of still pictures instead of creating a cartoon, but the technique works well. After completing activities, players are rewarded with stars that accumulate as points. These can be “spent” at any time on adding decorations and accessories to a castle in the awards area. Each item costs a specific number of stars, and children can mix and match to their hearts’ content.

Value

Child Friendliness

MiniChess by Kasparov is very child-friendly. Users can control volume and background music. There is an “About” area that gives information about the app and the development team, but there are no live links to social media, email, or the internet.

• Parent area (no live links)
• NO external links
• NO social media
• NO in-app purchase
• NO 3rd party ads

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