ThinkLink
Remember pairs, follow chains, track changed links, separate competing rounds, and recall associations after a distraction.
ThinkLink is an associative-memory game. Your child studies linked symbols, then answers one question about the relationship that was shown. Each format changes what must stay connected or separate. Across 85 levels, the app increases the number and similarity of associations, shortens study and answer time, introduces longer or branching chains, changes links more than once, overlaps several rounds, and places an interference task between study and recall.
- 5 distinct memory formats
- Direct pairs, linked chains, changed partners, competing study rounds, and recall after an intervening task.
- Study first, answer second
- The app shows the associations before presenting a cue and a set of answer choices. The tested relationship always comes from that exact study sequence.
- Trial-specific correction
- After a miss, the app marks the chosen and correct answers and restates the exact pair, chain, update, round, or delayed association needed for that trial.
- Level range
- Levels 1-85 · Preschool through Advanced Challenge
See one complete ThinkLink trial
This Level 1 Pair Recall trial shows two associations, removes them, then asks for the unique partner of one cue.
- 1
Study the shown pairs
The child sees the bear with the clover and the whale with the rainbow, with 4 seconds available for each pair.
- 2
Retrieve one association
The study pairs disappear. The app asks what went with the whale and offers three distinct choices.
- 3
See the exact link again
After a miss, the chosen answer is marked wrong, the rainbow is marked correct, and the feedback restates the whale-rainbow pair.
This example stays the same on the website so you can compare it. The app creates new problems during play.
All 5 formats, each with an early and later structure
Every comparison uses an app-created trial at the stated level. The later examples change the relationship structure, study sequence, or source of interference; larger item sets alone do not count as progression.
Pair recall
The child studies several direct pairs. When one item returns alone, they choose the one partner that was linked to it.
Two mixed-category pairs with three choices and 4 seconds per pair become six same-theme pairs with five similar choices and 2.5 seconds per pair by Level 65.
Pair recall · Later challenge · Level 65 The study links are still visible. The recall question and answer choices have not appeared yet.
Pair recall · Later challenge · Grade 12 · Level 65 of 85
- What the child is solving
- The child studies several direct pairs. When one item returns alone, they choose the one partner that was linked to it.
- What counts as correct
- ⛰️⭐⛰️Correct answer🌊🌲🌋
- Why this answer works
- The answer was ⛰️.
The study links are still visible. The recall question and answer choices have not appeared yet.
The correction reconstructs the tested change history
This Level 85 Update Recall trial changes several bindings. The blue square changes twice, and the question asks for its partner immediately before the final change.
- 1
Study the original bindings
The blue square begins paired with the black circle while six other visual pairs are also held in memory.
- 2
Track each replacement
Five updates occur. The blue square changes from black circle to red circle, then from red circle to yellow square.
- 3
Answer the requested point in time
BEFORE means the binding immediately before the last change, so the unique answer is the red circle rather than the original or current partner.
- 4
Review the same update chain
After a miss, the explanation shows black circle → red circle → yellow square and identifies the middle value as the requested answer.
- 🟦's chain: ⚫ → 🔴 → 🟨. Before the last change was 🔴.
- Label each step ('1st change, 2nd change...') as you watch.
- That turns 'before' into a simple position check.
What genuinely changes across the full level path
The comparisons add new rules, operations, representations, interactions, and reasoning steps. Larger numbers or longer item lists alone are not treated as proof that a challenge is harder.
Remember one of two visible pairs
The Level 1 example gives 4 seconds per pair, then asks which symbol was paired with the whale.
Follow one branch for four links
The Level 85 chain example starts two paths at the same lion and asks for the endpoint four steps along the longer branch.
Keep three overlapping rounds separate
The Level 85 interference example reuses the same animal cues across blue, orange, and green rounds, then asks which round contained one exact pair.
Recall after competing associations
The Level 85 delayed example studies seven food pairs, splits the recall test, and inserts 8 seconds of unrelated animal pairs before the tested food association.
What the child is practising in the visible task
These are bounded practice goals tied to the actions shown above, not promises that one game replaces teaching or proves mastery.
Form a retrievable association
Pair Recall asks the child to connect two items strongly enough to retrieve one when only the other is shown.
Follow relationships in order
Chain Recall requires several linked associations to be traversed without skipping or switching branches.
Replace and preserve the right link
Update Recall distinguishes the current partner, the immediately previous partner, and an earlier step in the same change history.
Resist competing memories
Interference and Delayed Recall ask the child to keep the requested association distinct from similar rounds or information shown later.
Fixed website examples, fresh app practice
The iPhone screenshots in this guide show reviewed examples checked against the app's current problem and answer rules. Use the controls to compare exact app states; the screenshots stay fixed so families can inspect them. At launch, the app will create new practice at the child's own level. Viewing this guide does not change app progress or earn anything toward a Screen Time unlock.
iPhone app screenshots
Use the controls to compare fixed problem and mistake or explanation screenshots. Viewing them does not change app progress or award access points.
Full Braincove app at launch
Fresh ThinkLink trials follow the child's level and the formats available there. The app changes how many associations appear, how similar they are, how long they remain visible, and which chain, update, round, or distraction rule must be handled. Parents can change the number of trials and choose whether eligible completed app sessions contribute toward the Screen Time unlock rules they set. Core practice can continue through a temporary connection gap; family sync, Daily, homework, and cross-device updates still need connectivity.
Get the app launch email