Created for children ages three to six, James Discovers Math is an educational tool that builds upon basic math skills. Through ten activities, your child will learn simple addition and subtraction, estimation, measurements, telling time, problem solving and sorting while focusing on spatial vision, shape and number recognition.
Acting as the central hub, the Kitchen features many types of games and learning activities, each represented by its own set of icons. By clicking on the book, you access the James Makes a Salad storybook. Along with singing and walking characters, there are some counting problems thrown into the mix. After finishing the storybook, it's time for the number flashing Nursery Rhymes with eleven music videos from which to choose, each specifically numbered. Picture Shapes uses pre-drawn graphic outlines on which you place different sized and colored magnets. In this mode, you choose between directed or free play -- the former uses the pre-drawn option while the latter allows you to create your own designs.
The Clock Game involves an old cuckoo clock and a half-robot, half-clock named Dijeridoo. Dijeridoo follows your every move, informing you when you're right or wrong and, once again, the directed and free play options are available. After finishing with time, take a trip to Jamesport -- James' in-game bathtub filled with boats and different shapes. In Boat Shapes, you place different sized and shaped cargo on the boat before it sails the Seven Seas. Once you're dried off, the Face Game allows you to create your very own funny face. You're given access to many kinds of facial features including eyes, ears, lips, hats and noses; after completing your masterpiece, print it out and hang it on your refrigerator.
Measurement involves measuring James' favorite characters. In addition to learning about sizes and lengths, each screen contains hidden goodies. Then it's on to the Fruit Shop where the objective is to fill customer orders involving varying numbers of pears, bananas, oranges and apples. The Blocks section focuses on addition and subtraction of numbered mathematical blocks with the option of selecting either of the two functions or both, depending on which one you need the most help with. Finally, the Magic Carpet features painting utensils including shapes, paint dabs, brushes and filling paint buckets. Help James create a stylish flying carpet!
James Discovers Math also features a Parent's Corner section in the manual that delineates the educational uses of each activity. Located within the game are different options pertaining to each game, including difficulty settings.