Hanging in Numberland with Les Trois Elles

We’re getting ready to head to Seattle in a week or so. It’s only a couple of hours on the plane, but I always like to have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep Vivienne entertained. So I’m in the market for some new apps to play with.  Whenever I do a little refresh like this, I always head over to the ever fabulous Moms With Apps. It’s a fantastic aggregator, and thus far, whenever I’ve grabbed something off their list, it’s been a winner.

In fact, I took a chance on an app they recommended and I am breathlessly in love with it. I say “took a chance” because it wasn’t cheap – most apps are anywhere from $.99 to $1.99 – but this one was $4.99 – a little pricey to just say, “let’s give it a go.” But I am 100% glad I paid the money for it. It’s worth it.

It’s called Tam & Tao in Numberland by Les Trois Elles and it teaches counting based on the Montessori method.  It’s simply gorgeous – 10 different scenarios for the numbers 0-9, and each one has so many layers of detail and little easter eggs that just seem endless. Click on the girl and you count along with her, click on the boy and you’re transported to a drawing tablet where you can trace the number being featured, then try to draw it yourself freehand. Not to mention all the other secrets waiting to be discovered on every screen. Just the other day we were delighted to find that if you touch the stars in the “zero” screen, they sound a musical note and then wink out. It’s meant for ages 3-5, but Vivienne (who will be 2 in September) will sit with me and play it for quite a long time. And you can choose English, French or Spanish.

What are your favorite apps for toddlers? I’d like to know, and I’ll update more as I find them.