“Karim and Jana” is an educational app designed for children aged 3-8

“Karim and Jana” is an app designed for children aged 3-8 to support the development of mathematical skills, as well as some linguistic and socio-emotional skills. The app allows setting up of customized avatars for each sibling, where each child can progress in the game on his/her own pace. Parental involvement while using the app is important; given parents’ essential role in shaping a child’s personality, way of thinking and learning.

We recommend that children do not spend more than half an hour a day playing “Karim and Jana”; as international evidence recommends children in the early years should not be exposed to any electronic screens for more than an hour per day. Outlined below are the developmental and educational objectives of the different sections offered in the app:

Numbers:

This section aims to teach children the numbers from 1 to 20. Teaching numbers includes different skills; such as counting skills, recognising numbers and understanding the relationship between a number and its quantity. Using flashcards and games, this section helps children acquire age-appropriate numeracy skills. The game increases in difficulty as the child progresses.

Shapes:

This section aims to teach children basic 2D and 3D shapes. Children learn shapes when they are able to recognise and identify some of the shapes’ properties. Using flashcards and games, this section helps children acquire age-appropriate skills; including but not limited to, tracing and building with shapes. The level of the game increases in difficulty as the child progresses.

Stories:

This section aims to develop children’s mathematical skills, in addition to their listening and comprehension skills. The stories can aid children in developing a love for reading, problem-solving, concentration and may also trigger their imagination. Each story includes an interactive section where children can engage and follow instructions.

Songs:

This section aims to enhance knowledge about numbers and shapes in an interactive and child-friendly way. Children love music and movement; therefore, connecting mathematical concepts through music will encourage children to love mathematics, and better understand its concepts.

Adventure:

This section takes children on a journey across Jordan; and is designed in an interactive way based on learning through interactive play principles. Children move from one governorate to another, while playing 4 main thematic games. These games are focused on puzzles, classification, colour coding and patterns.