Learning Resources Math Mat Challenge Game
by Learning Resources
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Toys and Games Reviews of Learning Resources Math Mat Challenge Game
Customer Review: The Math Mat - It's kinda cool
Summary: 4 Stars
The Math Mat is kinda cool and my children (3.5 and 5.5 years of age) and I have been having fun playing with it since we got it for Christmas.
My daughter uses it to practice addition. The Math Mat gives her an equation, such as `what is 2 + 8' on the "Easy" Level and she runs around and jumps on the usually correct number. If you don't get the number correct, the Mat tells you what the answer is. And key to the Math Mat's success and popularity is that it always keeps a positive outlook.
My 3.5 year old son on the other hand can't do equations so he plays at identifying the numbers. The "Easy" Level on the Mat is just that: identify the numbers from 0 to 10. The more "Difficult" Level gives children a sequence of numbers for which they must give the missing number. For example, the Mat will say something like, `What number comes next". Then it will say the sequence "3, 4, _" and your child has to come up with "5" for an answer.
I foresee a slight lag problem where the Mat might not get much use. A Toddler might have fun identifying their numbers, and a Preschooler might have fun filling in the sequence, but there will probably be a gap in time before they progress to an age where they can do simple addition equations. (Then again, if they have the Math Mat maybe there won't be a gap.)
Four Stars. Good educational fun. Toddlers and Preschoolers will probably need parental help and motivation.
The Math Mat takes 3 AA batteries. To play you put the mat on the floor and then choose whether you want to do addition or subtraction or number identification. It is all pretty intuitive and we haven't had to look at instructions.
Customer Review: Made by a great company
Summary: 4 Stars
My daughter got the Math Matt Challenge game for Christmas 2005. It worked fine out of the box but my daughter, who was 4 at the time, wasn't quite ready for math so we put it away for awhile. After several months, when my daughter was ready to try it again, we brought it back out of the closet but it was no longer working. We tried new batteries but to no avail. I was very disappointed that it was broken when it had barely been used, so I emailed the manufacturer, Learning Resources, to tell them about the problem. I received a reply just a few hours later saying they would send me a replacement within 10 days. Just like that! By the end of the week we had a new Math Matt Challenge, it works perfectly and my duaghter is having a blast playing with it! I was very impressed with Learning Resources' quick resolution to the problem. This is a company that stands behind their products and are commited to customer service. Based on the other reviews I've read here, I think the defective game that I had was a fluke and that they generally produce well-made products that last. I'm giving this toy only 4 stars because of the design flaws that other reviewers mentioned - mainly, the numbers should face inward toward the child, and it is too easy to hit the restart button accidentally. Overall I'm very pleased and would gladly purchase other toys made by Learning Resources.Customer Review: Fun with Math
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great toy! My son loves the Math Mat so much that when I challenge him to a game he shouts out the answers to the problems and occasionally tries to step on the buttons even when it's my turn to play! This is a great toy for letting the kids run off some of their energy as they review their basic math skills. My 5-year-old son runs around the mat as the computer voice says the equation and then he quickly runs to step on the answer. The mat has three games (number identification and sequence, addition, and subtraction) and two levels of play. Regarding addition and subtraction, the first level requires you to find the sum or the difference and the second level gives you the answer to the problem and the first number in the equation and you provide the missing number. We use level 1 as a warm up since it provides a good review and then we play level 2 for a challenge. I'd give this toy more than 5 stars in the fun and educational categories if I could. Since most children are quite active and learn math at different rates and since repetition is good at this stage, most children would get a lot of good quality use out of this game. I think the durability is pretty good also but it's really too soon to know.
Customer Review: good addition to our homeschool math curriculum
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this last Christmas when the grandparents were all out of gift ideas. I figured it would be another "educational" toy that didn't get much use. And in fact, if I let it sit on the shelf, it doesn't see the light of day much. However, when my kids (5 and 7) are "doing" school, this is a welcome alternative to other math facts practice. I do need to direct its use a little, otherwise my son (5) has a tendency to pick the "numbers and counting" game, which is too easy. Then he gets bored and walks away. But if I ask him to play a round of addition or subtraction (particularly if I tell him the alternative would be to work in his math workbook), he follows through and seems to enjoy it. I suspect the gross motor aspect of this toy helps the information get lodged in there in a different way than other practice, so that's nice. I particularly like that level 1 covers math facts through 10, and level 2 through 20. This allows me to pick the right leve for both kids, without it being too easy or too hard. I think it is at the right level for both kids now, and we will likely get reasonable occasional use out of it for a couple of years to come.Customer Review: Functions as promised... but turns out not much fun
Summary: 3 Stars
The mat does what it says it does, but when you actually get it and experience the simplicity of it, it doesn't really engage you. At least it didn't engage my Kindergartener (5 1/2 yr old), or my 1st grader both of whom got bored easily. I bought it because my kindergartner is starting addition this semester, and I thought it would be a fun way to learn, but the mat does nothing to make learning fun (e.g. no fun noises, no games that make you arrive at the correct answer, etc). You accomplish the same by taking a piece of paper and writting down simple additions and subtractions, or taking a mic and asking your child what 2+ 2 is.
In terms of the quality of the mat itself, it looks good and durable, and so far it works fine.
I will update this review later in the semester if my boy's interest changes at all, as he starts learning addition in school. For now though, for the cost of this ($39) I do not think it is worth it (the teaching cash register also from LR and $39, is on the other hand worth the money).