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    Friday, June 24, 2011

    Deals for Mum : Mathletics & Spellodrome review and giveaway

    

    Deals for Mum previously caught my eye and set my imagination running wild with their Concierge deal.

    Today, however, I'm spruiking their fabulous Mathletics and Spellodrome deal.

    Kat from Deals for Mum was kind enough to offer me the opportunity to test out both Mathletics and Spellodrome, in the lead up to a fabulous deal she will have up on Deals for Mum.

    And when I say test them out, I mean really put them to the ultimate test - a 5yr old with a very short attention span, and a very low frustration threshold.


    A bit of background on the "guinea pig" for this review

    Miss5 is not a concentrator.  At all.  Ever.  Unless it's a cartoon or ad on TV.  Then she's all ears.  Also if it's an adult conversation taking place that is not intended for her ears.  Or if I'm attempting to stealthy open junk food in another room.  All that stuff she hears and takes in brilliantly. 

    When it comes to learning, school and educational stuff - she tunes out.  I've often joked with her teacher that if only they could put the teacher in another room hooked up to a web cam or video camera, and broadcast the teaching over the internet or television - then Miss5 (and no doubt most other kids) would be totally enthralled and paying attention, on the assumption that they were watching TV.

    I know I'm not the only parent who feels this frustration, right?


    A bit of background on the programmes 

    • No matter what age your child is, these programmes will suit them.  They have activities suitable from 5yrs - 18yrs.
    • Activity level options are targeted at schooling, so you can select Year 1, Year 2 etc. if you're unsure what your child should be learning.
    • There's advanced stages if your child is finding their relevant level easy.  This I love, because it gives you something to aim for, should your child want something a little more challenging.
    • The games are fun, and they capture and hold a child's attention - something that is quite difficult in this day of instant gratification and flashy electronic games and gadgets (OMG...flashy electronic games and gadgets...I totally sound like my mother...).
    • Your child earns rewards as they proceed through the games.  Miss5 absolutely loved seeing that she was working towards something, and got so excited when she earnt an award or bettered her previous score on a game.
    • There are tests for each level, so you can see just how much your child has learnt.  I love this, because I'm not a teacher, I don't know how to gauge exactly what information Miss5 has retained and truly learned.  This helps show me that she really has taken the information in, and not just stared at the screen and 'fluked' the right answer.
    • You can play live competitions against other people or against the computer.  Interactive.  Cool.
    • Statistics are readily available for parents to see where their child is having difficulties and where they are excelling.  Another area I found brilliantly useful, and I even mentioned the results to Miss5's teacher and speech therapist on occasion.
    • There is a weekly report that you can have emailed to you.  Love, love, love this for older children.  The weekly report will give you a true account of what your little darling has done that week.  You think your child is doing their work as they type away, but are they actually on Facebook or stalking the Justin Bieber chat forum instead?  (This is totally what I expect from the conniving Miss5 in future years...but I'm on to her, so I say BRING IT!).  


    Mathletics

    This was a mega hit with Miss5.  In fact, she loved it so much she didn't want to log off and try out Spellodrome.

    Creating her own personal avatar (hair, face, background, clothing - the works) totally won her over before she'd even started the learning.  Learning that is cleverly and stealthy doled out via fun games, tutorials and tests.

    I love that there is the option to choose "something harder" if you are blessed with a child who excels at the activities designed for their age range.  Miss5 didn't want to try this, because she was so pleased at actually understanding and being able to progress through her own age-range of activities. 

    I am confident that, after a few more months practise,  she will be able to work out my new price after discount when we're shopping.  Unfortunately, she will also be able to work out that my "just one more" stance on peas and beans is substantially more than just one more...

    Spellodrome

    A lot like Mathletics, this program also impressed Miss5.

    She really loved the different characters and games that took her through spelling, letter sounds, word groups, and the like.

    Miss5 isn't really into trying to sound out words in books or really trying to read them.  The interactive games on Spellodrome had her reading sentences without her even realising.

    She is loving letter sounds at school, so it was great to be able to sit her in front of the laptop while I  defrosted chicken nuggets and sipped wine  made dinner, and listen to her progressing through the activities without too much drama.

    Being a bit of a defeatist with a low frustration threshold, I was thrilled that she got the hang of the program so quickly, and enjoyed it so much, that she happily played on and on until I had to kick her off for my Twitter and Facebook fix.


    The verdict

    Love it!  Simple as that.  When I'm competing with TV and video games for Miss5's attention, this type of programme is perfect for engaging her and keeping her attention.  She has so much fun she doesn't realise she's learning, and I don't have any parental guilt about being proactive with her education.


    And the best part....thanks to Deals for Mum, I have a 6 month subscription to Mathletics and Spellodrome to give away!

    Here's how you can win :

        Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs
        Follow on Facebook or Twitter
        Sign up with Deals For Mum to receive their deals
        *Their excellent deal on Mathletics & Spellodrome is coming up,
        so sign up to make sure you don't miss out.

        Extra entries:
        Share this competition on Facebook
        Retweet this competition on Twitter
        Refer a new Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs follower
        (make sure they comment with your name so you get your extra entry)



    Terms & Conditions :

        Open to Australian residents only
        Entries close midnight (WST) Sunday 3 July
        Winner chosen by random.org
        Winner posted on the blog Wednesday 6 July
        Winner has seven (7) days from posting to advise contact details
        If winner does not make contact in time specified, there will be a re-draw
        Maximum of three (3) extra entries possible:
        - One (1) extra entry for Facebook share
        - One (1) extra entry for Twitter retweet
        - One (1) extra entry for any/all new followers referred


    Entries close midnight (WST) Sunday 3 July

    Good luck!


    If you want to grab a subscription to Mathletics and Spellodrome for yourself, check out Deals for Mum, because they have an amazing deal on a 6 month subscription for only $39 - that's a fab deal, as the subscription is worth $88.

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    Reactions: 
    Labels: Deals for Mum, Giveaway, Product Review

    43 comments:

    1. slightlynutzJune 24, 2011 at 7:17 AM

      Following on Facebook & Twitter.

      Referred by Georgia Johnson.

      ReplyDelete
    2. slightlynutzJune 24, 2011 at 7:21 AM

      Shared on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=207973882581408&id=100002519400896

      ReplyDelete
    3. slightlynutzJune 24, 2011 at 7:21 AM

      Shared on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/slightlynutz/status/84038352839516161

      ReplyDelete
    4. AnneleeJune 24, 2011 at 7:36 AM

      Shared on Facebook

      ReplyDelete
    5. WendyhattonJune 24, 2011 at 9:50 AM

      I'm a google friend, facebook liker and am signed up to the newsletter.

      ReplyDelete
    6. Aly @ The Mummy HatJune 24, 2011 at 9:57 AM

      My daughter isn't yet close to the age where she would use this but I'm grateful for the review, I'm putting it in the 'for when she's older' folder.
      Thanks for sharing! (Popping over from FYBF)

      ReplyDelete
    7. Kellie O'BrienJune 24, 2011 at 12:08 PM

      Really great review. I'd like to try this for our three year old in a couple of years. Sounds fantastic! And love seeing you're working with the wonderful Kat too! She's a gem! :)

      ReplyDelete
    8. Toni HillJune 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM

      Following via Networked blogs

      ReplyDelete
    9. Toni HillJune 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM

      Already facebook liker

      ReplyDelete
    10. Toni HillJune 25, 2011 at 9:29 AM

      Follower on Twitter....

      ReplyDelete
    11. Toni HillJune 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM

      Signed up for Deals for Mum

      ReplyDelete
    12. Toni HillJune 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM

      Shared on facebook!

      ReplyDelete
    13. Judith Mumma FasshauerJune 25, 2011 at 9:48 AM

      follow  the  blog

      ReplyDelete
    14. Judith Mumma FasshauerJune 25, 2011 at 9:49 AM

      follow in twitter

      ReplyDelete
    15. Judith Mumma FasshauerJune 25, 2011 at 9:49 AM

      follow in  fb

      ReplyDelete
    16. Judith Mumma FasshauerJune 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM

      connect  with google

      ReplyDelete
    17. Judith Mumma FasshauerJune 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM

      retweet  the   promotion in twitter

      ReplyDelete
    18. Judith Mumma FasshauerJune 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM

      alr memeber  of deals for mum

      ReplyDelete
    19. hynsonJune 25, 2011 at 9:19 PM

      with 5 kids -this is mine :-)

      ReplyDelete
    20. melanie whittleJune 26, 2011 at 12:10 PM

      done all the steps follow via GFC
      liked on facebook as mellie jane
      follow on twitter @hootylishous

      ReplyDelete
    21. VivianJune 26, 2011 at 10:01 PM

      I'm follower no. 50 on Networked Blogs, I follow you on facebook (Like no. 214) & twitter, signed up with Deals for Mum

      ReplyDelete
    22. VivianJune 26, 2011 at 10:08 PM

      Shared this comp on FB & tagged you to let you know I've done so

      ReplyDelete
    23. VivianJune 26, 2011 at 10:09 PM

      Retweeted your 24th June tweet on this comp via Twitter

      ReplyDelete
    24. Me 'N my MonkeysJune 27, 2011 at 6:39 AM

      This would be perfect for my son, he just got his school report card back, maths was not so good. My hubby and i have been talking about getting him some extra help. 

      I already follow you via GFC. :)

      ReplyDelete
    25. Me 'N my MonkeysJune 27, 2011 at 6:40 AM

      Already following you vis FB and Twitter!

      Hope i win this one. :D

      ReplyDelete
    26. Ms MystJuly 1, 2011 at 8:39 AM

      All done! Love this giveaway. Long story but my daughter is graded too high in maths cause of her other abilities so need all the help she can get trying to keep her head above water. This is just awesome and I have actually been looking into Mathletics! Oh all things done.. just off to tweet tweet about it!

      ReplyDelete
    27. KerrieJuly 1, 2011 at 6:48 PM

      I'm a follower, this sounds great my seven year old would probably enjoy this and be learning as well.

      ReplyDelete
    28. Kelly WilsonJuly 2, 2011 at 2:50 AM

      I'm a follower, and my 3 littlies would love these programs... I've heard very good things!

      ReplyDelete
    29. Courtenay HeustonJuly 2, 2011 at 6:16 PM

      Already a follower, my girls love mathletics as the school has it and they have their login details for at home - would love to try the spelling one.

      ReplyDelete
    30. judeJuly 2, 2011 at 8:30 PM

      All done, this would be great for my 5 yr old.

      ReplyDelete
    31. gr82doJuly 3, 2011 at 8:54 AM

      I just used this during the week at school. It is brilliant. Kids love it. I'd love it or my kids at home. 

      ReplyDelete
    32. LschawJuly 3, 2011 at 9:48 AM

      Yes please ;-)

      ReplyDelete
    33. Sonia OldenJuly 3, 2011 at 9:48 AM

      Already a follower love Mathletics cant wait to check out  Spellodrome

      ReplyDelete
    34. Alana AshfordJuly 3, 2011 at 2:21 PM

      I shared on  FB and I am following the blog and signed up for both newsletters. :)

      ReplyDelete
    35. Leah PirieJuly 3, 2011 at 6:58 PM

      following on twitter and facebook now. Love matheletics but no spelladrome at home kids love that at school too

      ReplyDelete
    36. Ladybird21July 3, 2011 at 9:57 PM

      Oh Mathletics we need you, we need to ad 2 plus 2! A great tool, lots to learn. Oh Mathletics, we yearn!

      ReplyDelete
    37. Parental ParodyJuly 5, 2011 at 9:36 AM

      Hi Hynson,
      Congrats!  Please email me so I can forward your log in details for both sites.

      Enjoy the guilt-free babysitting with a glass of wine, while the kids are being educated!

      PP

      ReplyDelete
    38. Parental ParodyJuly 12, 2011 at 4:29 PM

      Hynson, last chance to claim your prize.  Please email me or reply to my Facebook page post, so I can forward your log on details.  If I don't hear from you by this Thursday 14th July I'll have to re-draw the winner.

      PP

      ReplyDelete
    39. EmmasteendamApril 30, 2012 at 2:14 PM

      As a governess teaching twins via school of the air I can assure you that if a teacher is 'on a screen' they DO NOT pay attention!!!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Parental ParodyMarch 15, 2013 at 6:46 AM

        That's interesting Emma, because I recently met a Governess who said she'd had amazing success with online programs like Study Ladder and Reading Eggs.

        Delete
    • AnonymousMarch 14, 2013 at 11:46 PM

      I was enjoying reading your review on Mathletics aloud to my son until you used 'earnt' as a word. I'm sure you know some people quickly loose interest when an article is not grammatically correct. The word to use here is 'earned' which is actually a word. I hope I have helped. Thank you

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Parental ParodyMarch 15, 2013 at 6:45 AM

        Thank you, indeed you have. May I also help you - loose is incorrect. You mean lose. I hope I've helped you too.

        Delete
      2. Parental ParodyMarch 15, 2013 at 6:45 AM

        Thank you, indeed you have. May I also help you - loose is incorrect. You mean lose. I hope I've helped you too.

        Delete

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