Kokotree vs Numberblocks: Comprehensive Learning Meets Math Excellence
Numberblocks is exceptional math education for young children. The BBC show has earned devoted fans among parents and educators for its brilliant approach to teaching number concepts through animated characters who literally ARE numbers. It makes abstract math concepts visual and intuitive in ways that genuinely help children understand mathematical relationships.
Kokotree offers something broader: comprehensive STEAM curriculum covering all developmental domains—including math, but extending to phonics, reading readiness, science, and social-emotional learning. This comparison helps you understand how Numberblocks' math excellence and Kokotree's comprehensive approach can work together.
Quick Verdict: Numberblocks is excellent for math specifically—among the best available. Kokotree is comprehensive STEAM education covering all areas. Use Numberblocks for math enrichment; use Kokotree for complete early childhood curriculum. They complement each other beautifully.
Numberblocks: Math Education Excellence
Numberblocks deserves genuine appreciation for its approach.
What Numberblocks Does Brilliantly
- Visual number sense: Numbers as characters with that many blocks
- Mathematical relationships: Addition, subtraction made visible
- Pattern recognition: Mathematical patterns shown, not just told
- Conceptual understanding: Deep math comprehension, not just memorization
- Engaging format: Children request it, not just tolerate it
- Educator approval: Teachers actively recommend it
The Brilliant Design
Numberblocks makes math intuitive:
- Number 3 is literally made of 3 blocks
- Adding means combining characters
- Subtraction means characters separating
- Patterns become visual and memorable
This conceptual approach builds genuine mathematical understanding.
The Single-Subject Focus
Numberblocks' excellence comes from specialization:
- Deep math content
- No phonics or reading
- No social-emotional curriculum
- No science exploration
- Math, math, math
Excellent at math; doesn't try to do everything.
Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Numberblocks | Kokotree |
|---|---|---|
| Price | PBS/Netflix/YouTube | Free tier / $4.99/mo Premium |
| Primary Focus | Mathematics | Comprehensive STEAM |
| Math Content | ✅ Exceptional | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Phonics/Reading | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Science | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Structured curriculum |
| Social-Emotional | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Format | Television show | Interactive app |
| Interaction | ❌ Passive watching | ✅ Games and activities |
| Progress Tracking | ❌ No | ✅ Parent dashboard |
| Worksheets | ❌ No | ✅ Included |
Pricing Comparison
Numberblocks Pricing
| Access Method | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| PBS Kids | Free | Select episodes |
| Netflix | Varies by plan | Full series |
| YouTube | Free (some content) | Select episodes |
| BBC iPlayer (UK) | Free (UK only) | Full series |
Kokotree Pricing
| Plan | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Sample videos and games, no ads |
| Premium | $4.99/mo | Full 500+ activity library, offline downloads, all features |
Content Comparison: Specialist vs. Comprehensive
Mathematics
Numberblocks: Best-in-class early math education:
- Number sense development
- Visual arithmetic
- Pattern recognition
- Mathematical relationships
- Conceptual understanding
Exceptional for math specifically.
Kokotree: Full math curriculum as part of STEAM:
- Number recognition
- Counting skills
- Basic operations
- Shapes and patterns
- Math concepts
Comprehensive math coverage within broader curriculum.
Verdict: Numberblocks for math specialization. Kokotree for math within comprehensive education.
Other Academic Areas
Numberblocks: Not covered:
- No phonics or letter learning
- No reading readiness
- No science curriculum
- Specialized focus on math only
Kokotree: Full STEAM coverage:
- Phonics and letter recognition
- Pre-reading skills
- Science exploration
- All developmental domains
Winner: Kokotree for comprehensive academics.
Format and Interactivity
Numberblocks: Television format:
- Passive viewing (excellent content)
- No interactive practice
- No progress tracking
- Watch and absorb
Kokotree: App format:
- Interactive math games
- Practice activities
- Progress tracking
- Active engagement
Winner: Kokotree for interactivity. Numberblocks for conceptual presentation.
Curriculum Coverage
| Learning Domain | Numberblocks | Kokotree |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers & Counting | ✅ Exceptional | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Math Concepts | ✅ Exceptional | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Pattern Recognition | ✅ Exceptional | ✅ Included |
| Letters & Phonics | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Reading Readiness | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Structured progression |
| Science & Nature | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Social-Emotional | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Full curriculum |
| Fine Motor Skills | ❌ No | ✅ Worksheets |
| School Readiness | ⚠️ Math only | ✅ Complete preparation |
Pros and Cons
Numberblocks Pros
- ✅ Exceptional math education
- ✅ Conceptual understanding approach
- ✅ Visually brilliant design
- ✅ Free on multiple platforms
- ✅ Teacher and parent approved
- ✅ Children genuinely enjoy it
Numberblocks Cons
- ❌ Math only (no other subjects)
- ❌ Passive viewing format
- ❌ No interactive practice
- ❌ No progress tracking
- ❌ Doesn't cover phonics, reading, science, SEL
Kokotree Pros
- ✅ Comprehensive STEAM curriculum
- ✅ All developmental domains
- ✅ Interactive games
- ✅ Progress tracking
- ✅ Worksheets for practice
- ✅ 100% ad-free
Kokotree Cons
- ❌ Not free ($4.99/month premium)
- ❌ Math curriculum not as specialized as Numberblocks
- ❌ No Numberblocks characters
- ❌ Different teaching approach
The Perfect Combination
Numberblocks and Kokotree work beautifully together:
| Need | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Math conceptual depth | Numberblocks |
| Comprehensive education | Kokotree |
| Visual number sense | Numberblocks |
| Interactive practice | Kokotree |
| Math enrichment | Numberblocks |
| School readiness (all subjects) | Kokotree |
| Free content | Numberblocks |
| Progress tracking | Kokotree |
Sample Family Routine
- Daily: Kokotree comprehensive learning
- Math enrichment: Numberblocks episodes
- Result: Deep math understanding + complete curriculum coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Numberblocks actually educational?
Absolutely. Numberblocks is one of the best early math education resources available. The visual approach to number concepts builds genuine mathematical understanding. Teachers actively recommend it.
Should I replace Numberblocks with Kokotree?
No—use both. Numberblocks' math education is exceptional. Kokotree provides comprehensive curriculum including areas Numberblocks doesn't cover. They complement each other perfectly.
How is Kokotree different from Numberblocks?
Numberblocks specializes in math through television. Kokotree offers comprehensive STEAM education through an interactive app. Numberblocks goes deep on math; Kokotree covers all developmental areas.
Does Kokotree have good math content?
Yes. Kokotree includes full math curriculum with numbers, counting, shapes, patterns, and operations. It's comprehensive math as part of STEAM—different from Numberblocks' specialized depth.
Can my child benefit from both?
Absolutely. Numberblocks for exceptional math enrichment. Kokotree for comprehensive curriculum including phonics, reading, science, and SEL. Together they provide complete early childhood education.
At what age is Numberblocks appropriate?
Numberblocks works well for ages 3-6, similar to Kokotree. Many families use both throughout preschool years.
Final Verdict
Numberblocks is math education done brilliantly. The visual approach to number concepts, the intuitive representation of mathematical relationships, and the engaging format make it exceptional. For math specifically, it's among the best available.
Kokotree offers comprehensive STEAM education. Math is one component of a curriculum that includes phonics, reading readiness, science, and social-emotional learning. The interactive format and progress tracking enable active learning.
The recommendation: Both. Numberblocks for math enrichment and conceptual depth. Kokotree for comprehensive curriculum covering all developmental areas. Your child gets the best of specialized excellence and complete education.
Ready to Try Kokotree?
Add comprehensive STEAM learning to complement Numberblocks' math excellence. Try the free tier—no credit card required.
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