Screencast:http://youtu.be/ExAjU3OJRMM
The software game is called Bunny Town Ice Cream Parlor and is developmentally appropriate for children ages 2.5-4 years old. The game focuses on threedevelopmental domains which include physical, behavioural, and cognitive.Physically the game supports children’s development through fine motor, and hand-eye coordination. Fine motor skills are developed when the children grasp the mouse, and click the button for their selection. Through developing the fine motor skills of grasping the development of hand dominance also comes into play. With regards to cognitive development the children have more of a variety of skills that are developed. Some of the skills that they develop are hand-eye coordination, following directions, memory skills, and counting objects. Allen & Marotz state that again these skills are customary for children of this age group. It states that children “exhibits eye-hand movements that are better coordinated”, that children are able to “follow simple requests and directions”, the children are able to “name and match, at minimum, primary colours”, child can “count objects out loud” (Allen & Marotz, 2010).
We chose the game, Bunny Town Ice Cream Parlor, because it is a popular children’s television show, thus many children are likely to explore this game. While searching for educational software games, my group noticed that this particular game was inviting and captured our attention with its bright colours and fun bunny characters. Once playing the game, we found that it was a simple game that enabled the child to learn their colours as well as numbers. This aspect of the game was especially important since as an educator we value early learning incorporated through play. Bunny Town Ice Cream Parlor also allows the child to play independently or with an adult in which the level of difficulty is decreased. The aforementioned states the reason why this game was our choice for all of the advantages children would gain through playing, however, these same ideas have major areas for improvement.
As a professional in the field of early childhood education, in my opinion the best features of this software game include many elements from visual, to interactive play. The colours of the bunnies and the ice cream that are incorporated in the game are the basic primary colours which include; green, red, pink, purple, yellow, and blue. These are the basic colours that children learn at a young age. The game also sharpens number skills by encouraging simple counting when the bunnies ask for a particular number of ice cream scoops. The sound that is used is child-friendly since it speaks in a calm voice using age and developmentally appropriate vocabulary. The voice that is used within the context of the game also positively redirects the child if and when they have made an error with the amount of ice cream scoops or flavour chosen. The bunny characters allow the game to become interactive since they ask for differently flavours of ice cream, such as strawberry swirl, and for several scoops. This allows children to become engaged within the game since they are trying to complete a task. The setting of the game takes place in an ice cream parlor which is a familiar place for most children and is easy to make the correlation between the bunnies asking for ice cream and being at this particular place. Lastly, the fact that the game gives two options between playing with an adult or playing independently is pro since it allows offers growth within the game or guidance when needed.
Through thorough observation and interaction with Bunny Town Ice Cream Parlor, it was evident that although this game is deemed developmentally appropriate for children ages 2.5-4 years old, there are several areas for growth and improvement. After playing the game, it was quite clear that there are several limitations within the context of development growth and child engagement. One must have contact with a computer or ipad that has sufficient internet access to be able to play the game. When the child does play the game, there is only one scene where the bunnies go for ice cream which is the ice cream parlor. The game should have multiple scenes where the ice cream is given out, for example, the park, a kitchen, or at a carnival.The carrots that are awarded to the child after completing the correct order of ice cream do not actually account for any advancement or prize in the game. Thus there is not a chance for advancement within the game since only one level remains. The levels should increase in difficulty when the carrots are awarded to the child meaning that there should be a goal (number of carrots) that the child must reach. The flavours of ice cream are limited and the child does not have a choice for adding additional toppings. The game could become more advanced in higher levels if the child was abel to choose several toppings, for example, a marshmellow or fruit. This could also add to the child learning about shapes. Overall, the game does not allow children choice and a simple way to fix this would be having the children create their own bunny character.
The recommendations that I would give to a childcare professional who wished to use this software be to make sure that they have proper access to a computer that has connection to the internet. I would also recommend that if the child is 2.5-3 years old or 3.5-4 years old that is not developmentally aged to work with them. This will allow the child to have a full understanding of the game and ask for help if needed. Once the child shows progression in the game, they will be able to work independently. I personally would not recommend this game to be played quite often seeing as there is little chance for growth, individual choice, or recognition for completion of a level. If the limitations were improved in the game, then I would approve this game to played several times a week.
