Math Mat Challenge Game Reviews

• Worth writing a review for ( this is My first)

  
  By A1TXQ1O9XKPDJ6 on 2003-06-09
  I am the mother of a very hyper 5 year old boy soon to be entering kindergarden. It has been very difficult and expensive to try and find ways to teach him without boring or frustrating him. I have bought many electronical educational toys and I'd have to say this is about the best one so far to date. I have many leappad products and while they are great in theory, they are not for my hyper child that just wants to "play" and not sit down with some reading pad or talking phonic treehouse. The only time he will sit for a period of time to learn is with his computer games.

  I think this is so good for my son because he is hyper and it allows for and even encourages movement. Yet, this toy also requires listening and focused attention. Due to the latter fact, I will admit that at first it seemed like another waste of money. He was getting frustrated because he wasn't getting the right answers and didn't want to play. My son does not know all his #'s and that was my main purpose for buying this item. I did figure out the best way for him was to deivide up the #'s between us. He got the 0-5 and I took 6-10. It's been less than a week and he has almost mastered his side. All in only 10-15 mins of play each day. The fact that he will still play it is a major thrill for me. It's fun factor also comes from it being sort of a timed game so that after each correct answer its ticking will speed up and once time is up it will tell you how many you got correct. We have the highest score possible on the #'s and he is almost as proud as I am.
  There are 2 levels and 3 activities: Numbers, addition and subtraction. We are just on numbers but once he learns all of them (my side and his)I know this will be a great way to help him with adding and subtracting as well. There are also some really great suggestions as for other ways to play using the mat included.
  So as long as it holds up I'd have to say it's a wonderful toy and not just in theory.
  
  

• math mat

  
  By A3M7UXJTJJDKN7 on 2003-01-19
  I bought the math mat for my first grade classroom. It gets used all the time by 26 children. The only thing that the kids tell me, is that sometimes it is not loud enough. They love to use it and it is one of the best centers in my classroom
  
  

• Great Learning Toy with some Comments

  
  By A30H2335OM7RD6 on 2005-01-13
  This is a great toy. My very active five year old loves this game. He can play and move and review his numbers and adding and subtracting.
  
  Two comments about this math mat though-
  1. The numbers face outwards and the child stands in the middle of the numbers. When my son first started playing on this it took him some time to figure out which numbers were which. The numbers need to face the child.
  
  2. The restart button is on the inside of the circle where the child stands and is easily stepped on. This leads to frustration sometimes if the child is not careful because they step on this restart button and the game starts over.
  
  Otherwise, this is an excellent way to review number recognition, adding and subtracting.
  
  Enjoy. Well worth the money.
  
  

• WHAT A GREAT "TOY"

  
  By A3VMDG75AD173Z on 2003-10-27
  We just got this two days ago. It is a great toy. My 5 yr old was up at 7:00 this morning playing it! My 2 1/2 yr old even plays it because they have a number recognition mode. It's great for my 5 yr old and I to play together and see who can get to the answer first. He loves doing kartwheels while landing his hand on the right answer. Good Job Learning Resources! Two notes: this math goes up to the end of second grade (18 + what = 22 and 20 - what = 12) and as mentioned in a previous review, it is difficult to hear when there is anyone talking in the room, but the is a repeat button. Therefore I would say it is for 2 1/2 - 7 yr olds.
  
  

• Fun with Math

  
  By AFXDJ6WCFYK9D on 2004-01-25
  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.
  
  

• The Math Mat - It's kinda cool
  By AQ6AGWKWMTY8H on 2006-01-14
  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.
  
  
• Great Toy
  By A2QXVF6SFKUL0C on 2005-01-18
  This is a great toy that is lots of fun, but educational without anyone realizing it. I got this for my 4 and 6 year olds for Christmas this year and it is a huge hit. We have not had any problems with the reset button getting stepped on or any other issues. It has good sound effects with either a correct or incorrect answer. I thoroughly enjoy this game and would recommend it!
  
  
• Seems like a good fun idea.....
  By A3SDH3CPHKVGTQ on 2006-03-23
  But they need to make one major change and flip the way its' printed. They should start with the "1" on the left and go counterclockwise...which of course is against clock time but it doesn't line up with that either! My 7 year old son played with it for one day and shows no more interest in it because the number placement. My 12 year old thinks is pretty cool and could adjust to the backwardsness of the numbers..but loses interest too.
  
  
• Made by a great company
  By A350EDME6XCY3 on 2006-12-16
  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.
  
  
• Great Activity to Learn Counting and Addition & Subtraction Facts
  By A3K98GERRFRE07 on 2007-01-27
  My little guys (K5) really likes this game. It lets them MOVE! As most parents of little boys know, little boys need that and it's good for them. As a teacher and parent, I am always on the look out for new ideas and games to play with kids that allow them to move and have fun. My little guy also has a Leapster which he adores. Between the Leapster, this mat, and games with mom, he has most of his addition and subtraction facts down AND he understands what he is doing.
  I recommend having your child stand on the outside of the mat under the number 5. Then the kids can run over and pick their number. Also, there is a Repeat Question button if you didn't catch the question. The only thing I'd like to see them change is better audio quality. Mine is several years old though so maybe they have improved that.
  
  

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