Educational app for toddlers
Issued: Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:53:00 BST
A new range of low-cost, high quality educational mobile games for young children has been launched by a Glasgow-based company.
Me and the Giants and the University of Glasgow have teamed up to develop the range of games, designed for children between birth and 24 months, which will supplement specific stages in sensory development and accommodate the differences in the way infants see the world, compared with their adult counterparts.
The 5 'Baby Look' games for the iPhone encourage the recognition of shape, colour and contrast; tracking and motor skills; and the ability to distinguish between moods and emotions.
The company has been working closely with the University to ensure that the games will stimulate and educate children as well as entertain. Me and the Giants now plan to build on this relationship by working with the School of Education.
Dr Rob Jenkins, from the University's School of Psychology, was closely involved in tailoring the apps to babies' needs and abilities. The collaboration was supported by the University's Innovation Network, which aims to build links with small and medium sized businesses in Scotland. The company received a £5k First Step Award, which enabled Dr Jenkins to work on the project.
Will Adams, Me and the Giants, wanted to work with the University to ensure the apps are not just a way to amuse a baby, but also an educational tool. 'We are interested in stealth education: games that are entertaining, but that educate and inform as a by-product. By working closing with Dr Jenkins, we have ensured the games stimulate and educate young children,' he says.
Dr Fraser Rowan, University of Glasgow, added, 'In these difficult economic times it is particularly hard for smaller companies to fund research and development. Our First Step Awards give companies the opportunity to start building a partnership with us which I believe could really help to assist their long-term sustainability.'