Multicultural and Linguistic Components
Kids Play Math has a flexible design that easily incorporates
diverse languages & images.
Current and potential capabilities:
At the moment, the Kids Play Math computer games are available in English and Spanish. However,
the software design has built-in state-of-the-art technology that allows expansions at reasonable costs.
In principle, the games can be available in other languages, including Native American Languages, and
they can be available in different versions of English and Spanish. For example, Puerto Rican children
may prefer that the computer speak using the voice of a Puerto Rican child; and urban AfricanAmerican children may prefer that the computer speak using their accent.
The background art of the games can also be changed easily to reflect culture and regions. The current
“walk to the zoo” game can be modified to be in an urban area or in a desert area. It can also be
changed to a “walk to the farm” game with farm animals in place of zoo animals. Moreover, it can be
changed to a walk to any place of relevance in a particular culture.
Why this is important:

The multilingual capabilities of the game support first language, which helps learning in
preschool. Once the concepts are learned in the first language, they are easily transferred to
English.

The games help transition to English. At the moment, children have the option of playing the
games in English or in Spanish. In our pilot implementation, teachers report that many English
Language Learners would start in Spanish and switch rather quickly to English.

The games help create awareness and acceptance of other languages. Many non Spanishspeaking children play the games in Spanish occasionally. We have observed them proudly say
“triangulo” and “cuadrado” while they play the matching game, for example.

The multilingual and multicultural capabilities probably make families feel more welcomed. If
this is the case, they are more likely to use the games at home and to support their children’s
early math skills.

We also have provided professional development sessions in Spanish as well as English, so that
teachers who have Spanish-speaking children can directly learn the mathematical language that
they should be using with their students when speaking Spanish with them.
Kids Play Math is committed to improving mathematics learning and school readiness for all children