AKC math agility teaches kids about dog sports
The new AKC math agility app teaches kids about arithmetic and dog sports, which seems like a wining combination.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently unveiled a new app, AKC Math Agility, designed to teach kids about dog sports and boost their arithmetic skills at the same time.
“We are pleased to offer a mobile app that will not only improve children’s math skills but will also introduce them to the exciting world of purebred dogs,” Ashley Jacot, AKC director of education, told AKC.org.
Aimed at children ages five through 10, players compete through three skill levels, solving various math problems as they play through the game, aiming to record the fastest clean run possible, just like in real agility competitions.
(For an overview of the basics of how agility works, see our explanatory guide here.)
Each incorrect answer is recorded as a fault, which is a clever idea in our opinion.
If this app had existed when I (Wes) was a kid, I would have definitely played it often, as most of my basic math skills were honed by playing board games and figuring up sports statistics. And as a huge fan of dogs in general and dog sports in particular (thanks to the Incredible Dog Challenge), that aspect would definitely have appealed to me.
Besides, the animation is very cute, similar to Webkinz.
There are 15 playable breeds available, which include the archetypal athlete in the Border Collie, the tiny but speedy Papillon, America’s favorite breed in the Labrador, and the hardworking Doberman.
Since trading cards are inherently fun to collect, there are also 60 different breed cards that can be collected, which give basic info on a breed’s general characteristics like energy level, temperament, and trainability, along with how often it sheds or needs to be brushed.
AKC Math Agility was developed by the game design company Little 10 Robot, which has developed more than 20 games and apps for children.
The 2020 AKC National Agility Championship will be held in Perry, Georgia, from March 27 through March 29.
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AKC Math Agility can be found both in the App Store and Google Play Store, and costs $2.99 to purchase and download.