Stickybear Numbers Deluxe

Reviewed by Sara Hartman
Published by Optimum Resouce, Inc.

Age Group: Age 4 to 8
Type: Math
Price: $42

Requires: 166MHz PII, Win 95, 98 or 2000, 32MB RAM, 8x CD-ROM, SVGA, sound card, MSCDEX 2.2

Description:

Gentle and fatherly Stickybear is back in Stickybear Numbers Deluxe. The title includes four activities designed to develop early math skills.

"Count It" offers animations of various numbers, which are grouped to make counting easier. Have a notepad available to practice writing numbers from 0 to 100 as shown in "Write It." In "Pick It," number recognition and recall are featured, while "Find It" reviews all of the skills presented in the title.

Features:

  • Counting, number recognition, sequencing and recall
  • Four interactive activities
  • Free play or structured mode
  • Two levels (numbers 0-9 or 0-30)

Technical Aspects:

Routine installation and problem-free gameplay were experienced on our Mac computer. Graphics are sharp and colorful and audio is easily understood. Many of the instructions are verbal, so the program is not well-suited for use by the hearing-impaired.

Report and Conclusions:

Stickybear Numbers Deluxe is an early mathematics program featuring a kindly bear who leads little learners through their numbers. Don't expect any addition or subtraction though; the title covers just the basics of counting and number recognition.

I thought that my little ones, ages four and five, would stay at the lower level, featuring numbers 0 through 9, but they did very well at the 0 through 30 level. They especially enjoyed the animations and accompanying sound effects. I was particularly struck by the number of animations -- literally dozens for each numeral -- so that repetitions are few and far between. There are several (I counted eight) separate activities within "Find It," the review section. The software developers obviously put a great deal of thought into replayability.