5 of the best primary maths apps and what makes them so good
There are thousands of maths apps out there for primary school children, and the best of the bunch maximise kids' learning in a user-friendly, engaging and interactive way. Lessons should be short and accessible in order to fit in with hectic extra-curricular and social activities outside of school, not to mention the need to adapt to our kids' limited attention spans.
We've reviewed the most popular maths apps on the market and listed the ones that fit the bill below:
The best primary maths apps
1. Komodo maths
Komodo is the best maths app for primary school children, offering unparalleled personalisation to suit each child's unique needs. After a short assessment and input from the parent, a real teacher tailors a learning plan for each child. This means Komodo maths is professionally personalised for every learner.
Komodo's award-winning app is designed for use at home, complementing and reinforcing the school curriculum. The learning programme encourages parents to get involved in their child's learning by providing feedback on progress and a reward system that parents can use to keep their child motivated. Best of all, it works using short 20 minute lessons that minimise screen time.
2. Prodigy
This fun game wraps up adaptive maths practice in a fantasy role playing game. Children progress by tackling problems that are adjusted to their level, and are motivated by the engaging interface. Parents can upgrade to premium for an ad-free experience.
3. IXL
The IXL app has thousands of practice questions that learners can move through, earning ribbons and stamps as they go. It offers parents and teachers flexibility in deciding what work to assign students, and provides insight into learners' progress.
4. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids features a host of animal friends that help children explore maths through stories and games. With a user-friendly interface and feedback for parents and teachers to track progress, this app offers an engaging supplementary learning tool for both home and classroom.
5. SplashLearn
SplashLearn uses engaging maths games to help younger learners practice maths skills. The colourful interface is easy for learners to navigate, and the wide range of topic areas ensures that the maths curriculum is covered. This app also adapts for learning ability and allows children to master skills at their own pace.
The benefits of maths apps
Learning apps are great for reinforcing curriculum topics and helping with memorisation of what has been taught in school. This is particularly useful when it comes to maths, which requires lots of repetition to cement what kids learn into their long-term memory.
Adaptive apps will move children quickly through areas they are already good at, and spend longer on topics where they are struggling to achieve mastery. Many of the best apps enable parents to get involved with their children's learning journey by providing feedback on their child's progress. A great app will also reward the effort that children put in rather than their successes, which helps to build a good mindset towards learning.
Find out more about what makes a great maths app
How to choose the right maths app
Choosing the right maths app for your primary school child can be tricky amid the masses of choice out there. Out best suggestion is to look for apps that offer a free trial of the full version, so that you can test it out before you commit. This way you can see if it suits your child, provides the feedback you need, and fits in with your busy family schedule.
About Komodo - Komodo is a fun and effective way to boost primary maths and literacy skills. Designed for 4 to 11-year-olds to use at home, Komodo uses a 'little and often' approach to learning that fits into busy family life. Komodo helps users develop fluency and confidence in maths and English - without keeping them at the screen for long.
