We are big fans of Tiggly Shapes in our house. When I received those to review Andrew was on the younger side of two years old. We played with the shapes for a half an hour and it was amazing. Andrew was able to identify and say the name of each shape, he was also able to point out the correct color of each shape and he selected the correct shape when asked during game play. He started slowly but picked it up so quickly. Now Tiggly has a new product called Tiggly Counts and it si the first 1Pad compatible physical math toy for children. I can’t wait to see what Andrew does with this one.
And, just for readers of this blog Tiggly is also offering a special 30 percent off code on pre-orders of Tiggly Counts. Starting October 7th through October 31, your readers can save by entering PREORDER30 at checkout on Tiggly.com/counts.
EARLY LEARNING COMPANY TIGGLY LAUNCHES TIGGLY COUNTS, THE FIRST iPAD COMPATIBLE PHYSICAL MATH TOY FOR CHILDREN
Next-Generation Counting Toys Physically Interact with Learning Apps, Blending Hands-On Play with Digital Fun to Build Early Math Skills
New York, NY, October 7, 2014 – New York-based edtech startup Tiggly, a learning company pioneering an innovative way to educate children in the digital age, announced today the launch of Tiggly Counts, the first iPad compatible physical math toy for children age 3 and up. Designed to combine the proven benefits of tactile math manipulatives with developmentally-appropriate digital content, Tiggly Counts aims to do nothing less than transform at-home math education for a new generation of connected kids.
For the first time in the edtech space, Tiggly Counts toys provide children with a physical tool for early math learning. Inspired by the classic cuisenaire rods used in Montessori classrooms, the new product features five lightweight counting toys children can hold in their hands to physically interact with parent- and educator-approved Tiggly learning apps.
“Tiggly is on a mission to improve at-home math education for preschoolers in an era when learning is going digital,” said Dr. Azi Jamalian, Tiggly Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer. “We know playing with manipulatives at a young age is essential for the development of mathematical thinking and numerical reasoning. The Tiggly Counts approach integrates hands-on counting toys with apps that provide guided, scaffolded learning opportunities and instant feedback to keep kids engaged and entertained as they learn.”
When used together during playtime, Tiggly’s counting toys and apps help children develop number sense, counting skills, and a basic understanding of math operations such as addition and subtraction. Powered by breakthrough capacitive-touch technology, the counting toys come in five bright, distinctive colors; each toy represents a number concept from one through five to allow children to understand the relationships between numbers both concretely and spatially. Holes in the center of the toys’ blocks allow young children to easily grasp them and “count” each number concept with their fingers during playtime.
“We are living in a new era where toddlers know how to manipulate tablets before they know how to count to ten or tie their shoes,” said Phyl Georgiou, Tiggly Founder and CEO. “Tiggly is focused on making the most of digital playtime for kids by creating connected, next-generation physical manipulatives that have proven essential to early learning. Our new approach to playtime seamlessly blends hands-on play with digital content to create a uniquely modern learning experience for tech-savvy kids.”
Designed by the award-winning team behind Tiggly Shapes, Tiggly Counts comes with three free apps rooted in academic theory. Available in 10 languages, the apps engage children in fundamental, age-appropriate mathematical thinking as described here:
• Tiggly Cardtoons: This app stretches children’s imaginations while they learn basic math ideas such as one-to-one correspondence, counting and equal sets.
• Tiggly Addventure: Children use counting toys to build bridges and ladders while gaining an introduction to number line concepts and improving their number sense.
• Tiggly Chef: Children prepare silly recipes with Tiggly Town’s greatest chef while learning numbers, early addition concepts, math symbols and problem solving.
Tiggly Counts comes with a felt carrying pouch for easy storage and transportation. The product retails for $29.95 and is available on Tiggly.com beginning October 7. A broader nationwide release will follow on October 21.
About Tiggly
Tiggly is a learning company pioneering a new way to educate children in the digital age. Launched in 2013, the NYC-based edtech startup was co-founded by Phyl Georgiou (Founder & CEO), Bart Clareman (Co-Founder & COO), and Dr. Azi Jamalian (Co-Founder & Chief Learning Officer). Phyl and Bart are graduates of Harvard Business School, and Azi has a Ph.D. in childhood development from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor. Tiggly is available in more than 20 countries and in more than 300 Apple Store locations across four continents, in addition to specialty retailers worldwide.