Play-based assessments for early childhood education

Let children show you what they know—we offer a research-based observational and game-based technology platform

Student playing assessment on tablet
Teacher and student doing an activity at a table

What Educators Are Saying

“Cognitive ToyBox lets children take the lead on showing teachers what they can do.”

Dr. Pamela Thomas, Early Childhood Program Director, Picayune School District

Why Cognitive ToyBox?

Checklist icon

Support Teachers

Observational and game-based assessments provide ongoing professional development

Clipboard icon

Improve Instruction

Reports are available in real-time to provide actionable insights to families, teachers, and administrators

Clock icon

Simplify Data Collection

Automatically collects and aggregates child assessment data, saving 2-3 hours of paperwork per week

How It Works

1

4

Children play 5-minute game-based assessments

children play game-based assessments

2

Teachers document observations

teachers document observations from game-based assessments for data collection and data organization

3

Educators and caregivers access data

educators access organized data from game-based assessments

Teachers use data for instructional adjustment and to reach program goals

teacher high-fiving student

Key Features

Teachers and aides get fully trained in 2 hours

Observational assessments

Game-based assessments

In English and Spanish

Embedded family engagement

Compatible on most touchscreen devices

Easy data import and export

Supports children birth to five

Research-based and federal and state standards aligned

Presentation-ready reports for administrators

See It In Action

  • “A universal and less subjective measurement tool that truly focuses on the child’s ability versus what the teacher thinks the child can or cannot do”

    Peggy Nuckolls, Director of Preschool Programs, Davie County Schools

  • “Especially with my children with special needs, the games showed that they know more than we thought they did.”

    Dawn Wilson, Pre-K Teacher in Wayne County NC

  • "Prior to Cognitive ToyBox, there was a lot of guesswork in assessing children. Through the games - which children love - teachers are now getting the support and training needed to fully understand each area of learning."

    Yolanda Brannon, Former Head Start Education Director

Case Studies

  • Cognitive ToyBox alongside a Traditional Approach to Assessment in the Classroom​

    Atlanta Public Schools

    See Study

  • Using Cognitive ToyBox at Home during Covid-19 School Closures

    Los Angeles Unified School District

    See Study

  • Supporting family child care providers and networks with Cognitive ToyBox

    AVANCE

    See Study

Use play-based assessments to get better data and improved outcomes