Jun 21, 2001 06:21 PM
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Many studies warn about the amount of time our children are spending in front of TV, computer and video game screens. Children clearly learn best by doing. Most of their time needs to be spent in kid powered activities-outdoor play, building toys, reading, pretend play, arts, etc. In our house TV, computer and game times are limited. So we have tried to choose computer software for our son that has some learning value. This can be quite a challenge! No child is going to choose to play a'boring' game.(especially when his time is limited)
Here are some programs we've found that combine learning and fun! All have been played in our house and are still being used after at least a year. All are usable with both Mac and Windows
ClueFinders Adventures (The Learning Company) These are a series of grade based programs that combine a variety of skills into one larger mystery. As an example-in the 4th grade version, the children must rescue a kidnapped Egyptologist. To do this they play a variety of games that give them clues. All the games have an Egyptian feel. The games are based on math, vocabulary, reasoning and other skills at a 4th grade level. For parents the best feature of this program is the ADAPT Technology. The first time a child signs on for the game they take a test drive(pretest!). The program uses this to make the games at a level that is slightly challenging but not so much that it is frustrating. So a child who has skills at various levels plays at those levels. (A child with 5th grade vocabulary and 3rd grade math skills gets games to match these levels.) The program also responds to progress and increases the difficulty when needed. There is a separate area where parents(or teachers) can view the child's levels and progress. For those who want to use them-there are printables for each skill area. We only used these once-for a diversion on a long trip. Clue Finders are available in versions for each elementary grade.
The Magic School Bus (Microsoft) There are many titles in this series. Those familiar with Joanna Cole's excellent series of children's science books and/or the PBS series of animated shows will find these programs a great companion to them. Miss Frizzle leads her class on the most amazing field trips in a bus that transforms into all manner of vehicles. Children can research and experiment in the classroom or use the bus to take them to games. There is a basic mission or mystery in each to solve. In one of our son's favorites -MSB Inside the Earth-rocks and minerals at various levels are explored and the children learn about the development of fossil fuels. They learn simple experiments to identify minerals and rocks. The graphics are bright and fun. The MSB programs are suitable for kids 6-10. Because there are so many of them(now about 15); these are good programs to play at school or the library or trade with friends.
The Amazon Trail(The Learning Company) In this program for older elementary age children(also interesting for adults) the player must choose a guide and supplies and venture down the Amazon River in search of a lost city. Along the way there are opportunities to explore the Rain Forest meeting the native peoples, the Spanish explorers and others who have impacted the history and ecology of the area. Exploration, listening to stories of the people or information, and making good decisions are rewarded by medallions.(These are awarded onto a shield by a Tiger figure that explains what you have learned) You control all the aspects of your trip-where you go, what supplies you bring or get along the way, how fast you go etc. You may become ill(and hopefully listened when you had an opportunity to trade for native medicines), lost or even die. This program and the similar Oregon Trail in which you outfit a wagon and head west with the American Pioneers are almost addictive. Each can be played on one of several levels, so the scenario can be completed many times with different challenges along the way.
Kid Pix Deluxe(The Learning Company) If you buy any software for your children-Buy this one! Marketed for children 3-12, Kid Pix is the ultimate art software for kids. Children can draw, paint, stamp, make slide shows, edit pictures, create email and in newer versions even paint with sound. The drawing board screen is confusing to adults but kids learn their way around quickly by experimenting with the many buttons. There are homework help templates with report formats and maps that will help older kids with reports.
Backyard Baseball, Football and Soccer(Humongous Entertainment). Sometimes you just have to have fun! In these programs, which are sold separately; kids choose and field teams of players and play an entire season of ball. The rules of each game are followed. The newest editions feature child versions of current sports figures among the possible players. One child can play against a computer generated team or two can play together each making up their own team. Marketed for 5-12 year olds. Our big guys(20 and 22) willingly play with their 9 year old brother.
And because I just can't stop at five.
Roller Coaster Tycoon (Hasbro Ineractive) This sim game is for the whole family. Build your own amusement park and run it. Kids learn about what it takes to run a business-budgets, staff, advertising, customer satisfaction etc. The scenarios get more complex as you complete the easier ones. beginners can purchase premade coasters-more advanced players build their own. Great fun for all. The add on pack CorkScrew Follies and Loopy Landscapes add about 25 additional scenarios and add more options to the original program as well.
For reviews of software for kids and families that have been tested and rated by real families check out Family Fun Magazine and Family PC Magazine. You can also sign up at the familypc.com web site to be a tester family and receive free software to test(and keep).
