A PENARTH-BASED software firm have announced a new app for primary school age children, which allows them to create their own digital 'mind maps'.

OpenGenius, who are based in Tec Marina, Penarth, are set to release the follow-up to their award winning mind mapping tool 'iMindMap' – 'iMindMap Kids' – designed specifically for children in primary education.

Chris Griffiths, CEO of OpenGenius said: "Children are naturally creative, and this app allows them to use this creativity to support their learning and development.

"We’ve worked hard to make iMindMap Kids a fun place for kids to spend time exploring their own ideas, in school or at home. Children have no limitations to their creativity, something that we adults lose over time. Give them the right tools and let’s see what they can teach us.

"I can’t wait to see the awesome mind maps that they create with the app."

OpenGenius claim that mind mapping has been proven to develop literacy, creativity and problem-solving skills in children. The app has already been tested on Key Stage 2 children in a Cardiff primary school. Hannah Abbott, a year 6 teacher, said: “My class love to use iMindMap Kids. Mind mapping is a fantastic way for the children to organise their own thoughts and ideas independently.”

Features of the new app include: branch art, drawing tool, emoji library, fun sound effects, snapshot camera, image and gallery and a free-hand wiggle branch.

Darren Rees, CTO at OpenGenius said: “The launch of iMindMap Kids has been really exciting for us. We built the app for iPad because we wanted mind mapping to be easily accessible, fun and engaging for children of the digital age.”

The app will be available on the iOS Store for £1.99. To learn more about iMindMap, visit: imindmap.com.