App review by Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Education | Updated May 2015
Bugs And Buttons
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Bugs And Buttons

Realistic-looking bug world reinforces early learning skills

Get it now
  • Download on Google Play
  • Download from App Store
  • Download on Amazon
Learning rating
Editorial review by Common Sense Education
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Grades
Pre-K–2 This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.
Subjects & Skills
English Language Arts, Math, Science, Critical Thinking
Price:  $2.99
Platforms:  Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
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Take a look inside

5 images
Realistic bugs are the stars of each activity.
Practice working with numbers, letters, patterns, sorting, and fine motor skills.
Choose from 18 different mini-games.
Add to a bug collection book.
On-screen tutorial shows how to play each game.

Pros: Brilliant graphics entice kids to play.

Cons: Some students may be reluctant to play with bugs.

Bottom Line: Games help kids with understanding patterns, sorting, counting, memory and fine motor difficulties.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Teachers can use Bugs and Buttons to supplement kids' learning. Students who need to improve their fine motor control, working memory, and visual processing skills will appreciate the diversity of the mini-games and probably won't even realize they're developing skills as they play. Teachers can also use this app to supplement activities on counting and alphabet identification. Note that spiders and roaches are avaiilable for play but are turned off by default. They can enable them in the settings.

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Standards:

In Bugs and Buttons, a collection of 18 games, kids will tap and drag bugs and buttons around the screen to achieve various goals. Several puzzles focus on recognizing numbers, letters, colors, and patterns, while others rely on more subtle learning components like prediction. An animated tutorial demonstrates the steps to take, and kids try until they succeed, gradually proceeding to more difficult levels and eventually winning insect stamps for a digital stamp collection.

Games enable kids to work on beginning math and reading skills, plus are great for helping a wide variety of kids with fine motor, visual processing, and working memory issues. The game Pinch & Grab can help kids improve the pincer grasp. Butterfly Valley helps students with motor control as they hold the device to catch flowers. Catch'Em introduces kids who need help with their visual perceptual ability. Find it! and Matching help kids with working memory skills.

Teachers can create multiple user accounts and customize the language (from 14 options) in the settings.

Overall Rating
Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

The wide assortment of games and the increasing difficulty level within each game gives the app a lot of entertainment value -- so long as kids aren't too squeamish about pinching a tarantula or two!

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

Most games have multiple rounds, with visual and audio feedback guiding kids toward the correct steps. Many puzzles adapt to how well kids do. Kids are empowered to choose the games they want to play.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

Visual instructions demonstrate how to play the games. High scores translate into stamps that are collected in a stamp book. Better progress tracking for parents would give the app a boost.

Common Sense reviewer
Amanda Bindel Classroom teacher
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Key Standards Supported

Counting And Cardinality

  • K.CC.6

    Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.1

  • K.CC.7

    Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.

  • K.CC.4

    Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.

  • K.CC.4.a

    When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object.

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