For a child with ADHD, Digital Math Programs can be super helpful compared to learning or practicing math in the traditional way. Research also suggests that digital intervention can be overall positive for kids with ADHD.
Once you decide to go with a digital program for your child's Math learning, the question then arises - which one to go for? Two such popular products to consider are Splash Learn and Monster Math.
Splash Learn
Splash Learn is a digital, game-based learning program for Math and English, for kids from Preschool to Grade 5 (kids aged 2 to 11). For Math especially, it mainly combines mini-games with digital-worksheet style Q&A to help kids with Math practice.
Monster Math
Monster Math is a Game-Based, Math Fact Fluency program. It has actual games - with fun characters, story line, and a puzzle-like game mechanics. The mechanics embed Math concepts in it, so as the child solves puzzles, they visually see how Math works. A thin storyline provides the motivation to progress forward through different worlds.
Advantages of Splash Learn
Splash Learn comes with a wide variety of curriculum covered for Math and English. It also has a free version that limits the child's game play to two activities a day.
Some advantages of Splash Learn are -
- More curriculum coverage, with a lot of practice for Math and Reading
- Choice in User experience. Kids can go via the Learning Path selected by the app, or they can free play any of the activities. The second can especially be useful in a school environment, or if the parent knows exactly what their child needs to practice.
- Variety of interfaces - Q&A, mini-games, activities - all of which provide some variety to your child.
- No social aspects, which means it's safer for your child (compared to say, Prodigy).
- Covers more grades, so if your child likes it, you can stick with it for long.
- Available on the web, so much wider device coverage.
Disadvantages of Splash Learn
- Mainly worksheet and Q&A based. Even the games are focused on one-answer at a time, and do not feel like playing other real games kids play. (in comparison, Prodigy is a lot more fun as a game, if you are looking for a larger curriculum).
In a nutshell, think of it as a gamified worksheet program, rather than actual math games. - The activities/games all feel disjoint from each other, and doesn't feel like one continuous experience.
- If you choose the learning plan, it can be frustrating since the child has to go through math and reading practice together.
- There is no learning - most of the games focus on practice or assessment.
Advantages of Monster Math
Monster Math is a product with one specific focus - to help your child gain Math Fact Fluency.
- The Games in Monster Math are real games - with fun characters, story line and actual game mechanics, with math embedded in it. It looks so different from a worksheet that one of the biggest surprises parents get is "This doesn't look like Math at all!" (yes that's by design).
- As kids play, they get to visually see how Math works. This helps them both learn and practice Math skills at the same time.
- Math Fact Fluency is a foundational skill for all of future Math - so focusing on only this, and especially working on Math strategies allows kids to build a more positive relationship with Math without necessarily rote learning.
- Designed with Neuroinclusion in mind. Especially for kids with ADHD or Autism, the product has many design decisions (such as lack of a timer, or a calm environment) that can make it significantly better for them.
- Much more economical at $59.99/year.
Disadvantages of Monster Math
There are some disadvantages of Monster Math too.
- Doesn't look and feel like traditional Math. This can take some time to get used to, especially for parents, who might think their kids are only solving puzzles and not really doing Math (even though there's sound pedagogy behind how it works).
- Limited Parent or Teacher interface - at least for now.
- Focused only on basic Math Fact Fluency, suitable for Grades 1-3 - if you are looking for something that covers, say, Algebra or Geometry, Monster Math can't help you. (there are other math games though that could help)
- Limited free plan - with enough levels to try out what the game looks like but not enough to keep playing free forever.
- Currently limited to iOS and Android platforms.
Which one should you choose?
If you are a parent of a child in Grade 4 or above (or younger than 5) - or if you are looking for something that looks like traditional worksheets, digitally, with a bit of variety, to practice a little every day - or if you are looking for something that covers much wider curriculum including Math and Reading (instead of switching between different programs) you might prefer Splash Learn.
On the other hand - if you want your child to develop Math Fact Fluency - and you don't want them to just focus on rote learning, but want to help them learn Math concepts better - or if your child has ADHD or Autism - and you have an Android or iOS device that your child can use - then you should definitely give Monster Math a try.
Both products come with a Free trial - so you can try out both before choosing the one you like. And of course, if your child likes both, and your budget permits it, you could consider getting both too!
