# Native Numbers — Complete Number Sense Mastery > Comprehensive number sense curriculum for early learners, developed by experts. (iPhone/iPad app by Native Brain, Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/native-numbers/id570231808 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Native Brain, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/570231831) - Category: Education, Games - Price: Free - Rating: 3.70/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 21 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 47 MB - Languages: American English, European Spanish - Released: 2012-10-23 - Data updated: 2026-06-05 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/native-numbers/id570231808/reviews.md ## What is Native Numbers? *** Top Rank of #2 in Education! 350,000 kids, 70 million math tasks, and counting! *** WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING - 12 BEST Children's Educational Apps of 2012: “Native Numbers is a fabulous app, promoting deeper learning and providing a much needed foundation in math for all children.” - TeachersWithApps.com - “The kids loved the gameplay feel of the app… This is a great app to help young kids learn the concept of numbers and basic math skills.” -iHeartThisApp.com - "A Math App Worth Bragging About!" - Karen Mahon, Ed. D, Learning Scientist OVERVIEW - Number Sense is widely cited as the most critical math skill a child ever learns - Native Numbers is the first and only comprehensive Number Sense curriculum in the App Store Inspired by research, designed by Harvard Education School graduate Dr. Michael W. Connell, and developed by a team of MIT engineers, Native Numbers is the first of its kind - a complete curriculum to help early learners develop Number Sense. THE PROBLEM There are countless "early math apps" available in the App Store - but are any of these effective in laying down a proper Number Sense foundation? THE REALITY Unfortunately, most math app developers ignore the complex sequence of activities required to properly develop Number Sense. Instead, some claim to develop math knowledge as a side effect of other, non-mathematical games and activities. Others inflate a single, narrow math concept into a game that they promise will provide "hours of fun and learning." This random approach to early math simply does not work. Researchers Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama found, for example, that while it might appear that kids are "doing mathematics" when engaged with puzzles, blocks, songs, and the like, "evidence suggests that such an approach is ineffective, owing to a lack of explicit attention to mathematical concepts and procedures along with a lack of intentionality to engage in mathematical practices" (Science Magazine, Aug 2011). THE SOLUTION The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Common Core State Standards have made Number Sense a focus area of elementary mathematics education for all children. Native Numbers is based on high-quality learning research and is designed to engage each child directly in an individualized, intrinsically rewarding learning experience while minimizing distractions – what some people call "hard fun.” (For a brief video that explains why Number Sense is so important and how Native Numbers develops it, search for "Native Numbers" on YouTube.) Native Numbers challenges children with 25 engaging and carefully sequenced activities that develop an understanding of several core concepts and skills, including: - Number Representations: Identify the numbers 1-9 as continuous quantities (rods), discrete quantities (sets of animals), and symbols (numerals) - Number Relations: Answer questions about number relationships using a variety of visual representations and vocabulary (greater/less, bigger/smaller, heavier/lighter, etc.) - Ordering: Arrange numbers in order from small to big and big to small - Counting: Use numbers to put a set of objects in order (ordinal numbers) and to determine how many objects are in a set (cardinal numbers) - Demonstrate Mastery: Apply concepts from previous activities to novel, untrained examples Recommended Ages: 4-7 (home or school) although many younger and older children can benefit as well *** Teachers - Learn about Classroom Functionality here: http://bit.ly/WHHSJ1 THE PRICE Teachers With Apps said that, "Native Numbers is a fabulous app, promoting deeper learning and providing a much needed foundation in math for all children. We highly recommend this app and please, don’t let the price stop you from purchasing this extensive curriculum, it’s worth every penny of the $9.99." ## Key features - Comprehensive number sense curriculum - 25 engaging and sequenced activities - Develops number representations - Teaches number relations - Individualized learning experience - Inspired by research ## Recent user reviews (10 of 21) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/native-numbers/id570231808/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Foundational — all kids need to master this *2020-01-19* This is pedagogically excellent. My son enjoyed using it and finished all the puzzles in a couple days. It showed me he had numbers sense already, and while I realize he could have learned more from this a year or so earlier (he is six), it was valuable because it improved his speed in solving. That’s valuable. ### 1/5 — Used to be good *2019-03-02* We used this over a year ago and I wanted my child to go back and work with it as a review but all the data was lost and even trying to setup a new dashboard it no longer works. ### 3/5 — Love it, BUT! *2018-07-11* I love the app, the number sense imbued in the levels is fantastic. I love how mastering one level unlocks the next, very motivating. One big problem - the trophies. As soon as my child realized the meaning of the different colors he was no longer interested in learning the numbers but instead was working only for the gold trophy. And the first time he didn’t get one he was in tears and no longer interested in the app at all. This is a textbook example of being “punished by rewards”. Please include the option of turning off the trophies and stars. Progress bar and accuracy/speed markers are fine as objective feedback, but the “ranking” and reward associated with the trophies are detrimental to the learning and ultimately made this wonderful app unusable for us. Developers, please read Alvie Kohn’s “Punished by rewards”and continue with your fabulous work! Thank you! ### 5/5 — Fantastic App for Early Number Sense *2016-04-23* This is one of the best apps available for early number sense. The adaptive, mastery based design provides my students with individualized instruction. The dashboard allows me to see when and where they are struggling. I've now used this with over 250 students. I love that the app includes mutliple non-symbolic representations, as well as symbolic, and students develop fluency in using each of these interchangeably. The best quote from one of my students was "It's just like learning, only fun." ### 5/5 — Great app! *2016-02-07* Great app! Really fun way to learn math facts! ### 5/5 — Huge progress for my granddaughter! *2016-01-13* My 8-year-old granddaughter had been struggling with Everyday Math curriculum and it had been identified that she was weak in number sense. She started using Native Numbers last fall and she loves "playing" it. Just 15-20 minutes a few times a week has made a HUGE difference! She struggled with the first level, but now that she mastered that things are really clicking! She has the number concepts down and is moving on to number relations! And she's doing so much better in school, and is back to grade level!! I love that you can go back and do the early levels any time you want, but you can't move ahead until you have the foundation solid. My granddaughter will often try a new level, then go back to one of her favorites - thus reinforcing the lessons! ### 5/5 — Fantastic app *2015-05-26, version 1.40* Fantastic app. Has really engaged my 4 year old and builds strong understanding and fluency of numbers. ### 3/5 — Quite good *2014-08-31, version 1.30* I do like it a lot but it could be improved. Hopefully new features will be added soon. ### 3/5 — Needs teacher/parent controls *2014-08-30* A key suggestion: Allow parents to decide which lessons are unlocked, this allows for differentiation for different children, or to meet the needs of your child. A child should not have to work through all levels to get to the lesson that matches their levels and needs. Also, it was confusing to begin with rods (continuous quantities) for my young child who was still working with one to one correspondence. I would like the option to return to this lesson, but not begin with it. Until the parent/teacher has more ability to match lessons to the child's educational needs, I can't rate it higher. Splashmath allows the parent/teacher to assign lessons, and this is very helpful to use the app as either a learning or review tool. If the app adds this feature, I can revisit my review. ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2013-06-15* The games are entertaining for my child and I love the methods. Very clever and well-designed app! ## Frequently asked questions about Native Numbers ### What is Native Numbers? Native Numbers is a comprehensive curriculum designed to help early learners develop number sense, a critical math skill. It offers 25 engaging activities based on research and developed by educational experts. ### What age is Native Numbers for? Native Numbers is suitable for children aged 4 and up, as indicated by its age rating of 4+. ### What devices does Native Numbers support? Native Numbers is currently supported on iPads, as listed in its device compatibility. ### How often is Native Numbers updated? The app was last updated on October 17, 2017, to version 1.53. Further update frequency information is not available. ### What is the learning methodology of Native Numbers? Native Numbers is inspired by research and designed to engage children directly in an individualized, intrinsically rewarding learning experience. It focuses on explicit attention to mathematical concepts and procedures. ### Does Native Numbers offer progress tracking? While the description highlights an individualized learning experience and mastery of number sense, specific details on explicit progress tracking features are not provided. ### Is Native Numbers free to use? Yes, Native Numbers is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees mentioned. ### Does Native Numbers have ads? No, Native Numbers does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free experience for users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.53 — 2017-10-17 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. - Fixed iOS 11 specific issue with main menu screen ### 1.52 — 2017-08-31 Minor bug fixes for 64 bit version. *** Note: If you run iOS version prior to 8, you can download a previous version with same functionality. ### 1.51 — 2017-08-26 Minor bug fixes for 64 bit version. *** Note: If you are running iOS versions older than 8.0, you can still download previous version, which has same functionality ### 1.50 — 2017-08-16 Upgraded to 64 bit architecture to support iOS 11+ *** Note: If you are running iOS prior to version 8, you can install previous version which has same complete functionality. ### 1.40 — 2015-05-04 Minor bug fixes. ## Apps similar to Native Numbers | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Teachley Addimal Adventure](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/teachley-addimal-adventure/id661286973) | 3.2 (6) | $4.99 | Education | | [Ignite by Hatch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ignite-by-hatch/id1471622858) | 3.7 (6) | Free | Education | | [Mighty Minutes®](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mighty-minutes/id1281072423) | 3.8 (31) | Free | Education | | [SAS Math Stretch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sas-math-stretch/id607137453) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [Nico & Nor Farmers Market](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nico-and-nor-farmers-market/id1604645713) | 5.0 (6) | Free | Education | | [Number Line, by MLC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/number-line-by-mlc/id751816884) | 4.4 (15) | Free | Education | --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*