Crayon
Crawler 2.1
Children's Technology Group, Inc.
Hardly
a day goes by when we don't hear something about the dangers of web surfing for
children. The reality is that there
are sites out there with content that children are not ready to view or absorb.
The Internet is a vast place and there are many places that children can
inadvertently stumble across. Crayon
Crawler is a browser that invites children to explore the web but within a
controlled environment that is fun and a visual treat with animations and a
bright colorful interface. There
are hundreds of great sites offered and a screening filter that keeps just about
all questionable material out. High
marks were given to Crayon Crawler's Personal Information Filter that prevents
kids from giving out personal information about themselves or their family in
Email, Chat or IM's. For parents who want that extra-added feeling of security
the $4.95 monthly charge is a worthwhile investment.
Recommended
Age: 3 to 10 Price: $4.95 a month
On-Track
Software - Does It Belong?,
Same or Different & Thinking Skills
School Zone Interactive
Educational
software for this age must be full of fun and encouragement and these three
programs have it in spades. Using tried and true methods of matching and
recognition along with simple mouse skills, preschool aged children were
consistently engaged and entertained. Whether
its matching, sequencing or shape and color recognition, there is plenty of
audio guidance to go along with your own shared participation to make the
learning experience a fun one. Parents
found the lessons to be simple yet full of the type of basic educational
building blocks and noted the added bonus of increase hand-eye skills.
The games, which are scattered throughout both programs to keep things
varied, were easy, colorful and fun. The
added workbook and the ability to print out certificates of achievement also
scored big with both parents and kids.
Recommended
Age: 3 to 5 Price: $19.99
On-Track
Software - Math 1, 2 & 3
School
Zone Interactive
This
superb series of software makes the important, yet often tiresome task of math
drills, something that your child will be anxious and excited to do.
Hard to believe, but School Zone has created a system that brings math
worksheets to life. Each sheet is
introduced with instructions that are read aloud.
As your child progresses they can instantly see their progress and take
pride in their accomplishments. They
are also given ample opportunity to correct mistakes.
Big rewards come in the form of games that break up the drills.
After completing two exercises its time to play.
There are also printout that features your child's name and the level
they achieve. Each level is well
suited to the grade curriculum and the workbook that is included allows for use
beyond the home when traveling. Wish
school was this much fun!
Recommended
Age: 5 to 8 Price: $19.99
On-Track
Software - Spelling Puzzles
School
Zone Interactive
Spelling,
like reading, is something that takes practice. This software is just the answer for parents looking for a
computer program that can entertain while teaching valuable skills.
Masked in a game-like setting, children complete workbook style screens
and are guided through each one with spoken instructions, much like they might
receive from their teacher. The key
here is that after a child successfully completes two skill exercises they get
to play a purely fun game as a reward. This
method makes success and learning all the more fun.
Kids plowed through each screen, determined to uncover the next playtime
activity. Parents noted that their
children's understanding of basic spelling was strengthened after continued
play.
Recommended
Age: 5 to 6
Price: $19.99
Phonics
2 - Intermediate Level
Help
Me 2 Learn Company
Don't
let the name of this educational CD fool you, this is not a beginning readers
title. If your child has mastered
the alphabet, knows the sounds each letter makes and is already on the road to
reading, this software will take them to the next level.
Exceptional instruction and games/drills on topics such as antonyms,
synonyms and even diphthongs, really impressed our testers.
The gold star award system really kept children on task and striving to
achieve. The songs and characters also lent a friendly, familiar feel
to the experience.
Recommended
Age: 5 to 9
Price: $29.95
GeoSafari
Knowledge Pad Math - Addition & Subtraction
A
clean logical approach to making math visual and stimulating really works in
this CD-ROM title. The GeoSafari
system that has become a staple in so many classrooms around the country has now
been transported into the computer screen and the result is a good one.
The added multimedia elements bring this thinking game to life while
keeping children engaged and striving to complete each section.
The simplicity of the system is what works here; it took our testers no
time at all to be up and playing.
Recommended
Age: Grades 1-2
Price: $24.95
Alice's
Adventures In Wonderland
Joriko
Interactive
This
unique CD offers a fresh perspective on the Lewis Carroll classic.
An interactive storybook, your child will join Alice on her very strange
journey down the rabbit hole. Along
the way all the characters that are familiar to so many generations come to life
on your screen. The producers of
this title state that they are committed to keeping close to the original
Carroll story, and as such some of the references and dialogue feel less
familiar than others. Still the
story has endured and this interactive program helps to bring the Mad Hatter,
the Queen of Hearts and the Cheshire Cat to a whole new generation.
Recommended
Age: 7 and Up Price: $29.95
Or, for more information about The Seal of Approval or The National Parenting Center call: 1-800-753-6667
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Last Update: August 9, 2001