OSMO: A multimedia educational toy for children
24.1.2018
Translation: machine translated
OSMO is an educational toy for children of all ages. You can learn various skills such as spelling, arithmetic or programming by playing different games.
Turning your iPad or iPhone into a multimedia learning toy only takes a few steps. Simply place your tablet in the stand provided and attach the red clip to the top end where the front camera is located. That's it! Quickly download the apps and off you go.
Several games are included in the OSMO Genuis Kit. Tangram is a laying game and develops your imagination. Masterpiece will improve your creativity, Words will make you a spelling pro and Numbers will give you confidence in maths.
Tangram
Tangram is a laying game in which different shapes can be laid with the same puzzle pieces. Originally from China, it is thought to have originated over 2,000 years ago. With Tangram, Osmo has achieved a wonderful balancing act between the old and the new and brought the millennia-old game into the 21st century.
With several different levels of difficulty, children of all ages can train their spatial imagination and put themselves to the test again and again. The game consists of seven different wooden blocks that can be used to create over 500 shapes.
The app is free and can be downloaded here.
Masterpiece
All you need for Masterpiece is the Osmo Base, a sheet of paper and a pen. After that, nothing stands in the way of your artistic freedom. Sounds pretty simple and easy, but it's more difficult than you think. The fact that you are looking at the tablet rather than the sheet of paper when drawing means that using the pen is not exactly intuitive. My first pictures therefore looked like they were drawn by a child's hand. So if you want to use this tool seriously, it takes a little practice.
Nonetheless, I find this type of drawing very helpful in developing your own creativity. You can try out new shapes and styles and improve your skills with every new picture you draw. Children and young people in particular can benefit from this and gain even more enjoyment from drawing.
The app is also available for free in the Appstore and can be downloaded here.
Words
Words by OSMO is suitable for children aged 6 to 12. They can use this game to practise and improve their spelling skills. The principle is simple. A photo appears on the screen and you can see the number of letters. You can then place the matching letter in front of the tablet. If you get it right, you get points. If you get it wrong, it deducts points. You can play the game alone or in pairs. It's almost more fun against each other, as you're under time pressure and have to be quicker than your opponent.
If you feel like it, you can even create your own game with your own words and pictures. For example, if the child is fascinated by construction sites, parents can collect a number of words and terms on this topic and create a personalised game for their child.
The app for this can be downloaded here.
Numbers
Numbers works on the same principle as Words. The only difference is that you don't practise spelling, but learn to recognise numbers better and solve maths problems. Addition, subtraction and multiplication are possible in this game. The set contains various cards for this purpose. The numbers are written on some of them and the others have dots on them like conventional dice.
Depending on the level of difficulty, each level can be catered for. As a result, children get to know the numbers better and gain self-confidence in maths. Once they have mastered a level, they can increase the level and tackle a new challenge.
The app is also free and can be downloaded here.
Lots of additional accessories
In addition to the sets included in the Genuis Kit, there are other additional games to buy. With the Coding Set, for example, children can take their first steps in programming. Simple commands are created using the game pieces. In the app, you can immediately see the result and whether you have done everything correctly.
If the child is more interested in drawing, the Creative Kit is certainly worth a look. It contains a colouring pad and several pens. What has been drawn can then simply be erased with a cloth. The reusable colouring pad means you don't need a new sheet of paper every time. Nature will thank us for it.
With Pizza Co, children can take their first steps into the world of commerce. The task is to run a pizzeria. On the one hand, you can bake the pizza, but at the same time you have to keep the finances under control. In this game, children learn how to save money and what it does for their own business if they reinvest it in order to grow the business.
Conclusion
I was allowed to try out the Genuis Kit from OSMO and I am very impressed with this educational toy. The physical products are neatly finished and have a beautiful design. From the packaging to the smallest pieces, their concept is consistent. I was able to install the apps without any problems and they were easy to use. I didn't experience any crashes either. The only thing I find a big negative point is that the apps are only available for iOS. It requires that you have an iPhone or iPad from Apple. Android is not supported.
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
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