4.4
Where to Buy

Montessori Math: Multiplication App Review

App Info

Price: $3.99

Overview

Montessori Math: Multiplication brings a hands-on approach to learning multiplication. Using a bead frame, multiplication board, stamp game, and magic slate, kids learn how to multiply numbers step-by-step. The four additional tools found in the toolbox offer even more help with multiplication. Kids then have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned when they play three multiplication games and earn points which they can use to build monsters in the Monster Lab. This unique approach to multiplication may throw off some math traditionalists, but it will serve to help kids, particular kinesthetic and visual learners, learn their times tables and fully grasp what happens when they multiply.

Features include:

  • 4 learning activities
  • 3 fun games
  • Monster Lab
  • Learning toolbox

Quality

While kids will find the app easy-to-navigate, it could use a few more icons or labels on the main page to help get kids started. The games and toolbox are clearly labeled, but some kids may not know to tap on the main image to bring up the four different learning activities. Once they figure it out, they’ll find responsive learning activities with high-quality images to make it easy for them to solve the multiplication problems and complete other related tasks.

Education

Montessori Math: Multiplication uses a variety of approaches to help kids learn multiplication. The Math Slate offers the most traditional-looking approach, guiding kids as they place the multiplicand over the multiplier and individually multiplying each set of numbers. Other activities look less traditional, such as the Stamp Game where kids multiply by placing stamps in the hundreds, tens, and ones column; the Math Board, where kids place beads to learn their multiplication tables; or the Bead Frame, where kids move abacus-style beads to solve multiplication problems.

After completing the activities, kids have a chance to play three fun games. While the games somewhat mirror the activities, there appears to be a big jump between what kids do in the activities and what they must do as part of the games. For example, one game has kids fill in the missing numbers in a more traditional multiplication layout. Even though kids could multiply in the activities, jumping from multiplying a problem number by number to figuring out what number is missing in a problem could cause a lot of confusion. It’ll take a few wrong answers and a lot of practice to start answering problems correctly and earning points in the games.

Entertainment

While many of the games will prove to be extremely challenging for kids, they’ll persevere for the opportunity to earn points. That’s because they can use the points in the Monster Lab, where they have the opportunity to redeem their points for body parts to add to their silly monsters. Outside of the games and the Monster Lab, the four different learning kids will entertain kids by offering a lot of variety and giving them a chance to use their hands as they solve the multiplication problems.

Value

With four different activities, a toolbox of resources, and three multiplication games, this may be one of the strongest multiplication apps available. Its unique approach to multiplication makes it ideal for parents and teachers who have children who struggle with multiplication and may need to look at it in a new way.

Child Friendliness

It’s somewhat ironic that an app focused on multiplication uses a multiplication problem as a parental block. Kids who successfully learn how to multiply in the app will find access to the parental area. In this area, parents can help customize the app, selecting different levels of play by customizing the type of multiplication problems kids see and even setting the minimum and maximum number of digits that appear in the problems. The variety of activities and the ability to customize the settings help ensure kids get to explore multiplication in the way that best suits their needs.

Montessori Math: Multiplication
Montessori Math: Multiplication
Hands-on multiplication practice, using four different Montessori methods, helps provide kids with a thorough understand of multiplication, while allowing them to have fun at the same time.
Quality
Education
Entertainment
Value
Child Friendly
4.4
Where to Buy