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April 17, 2007
Learning Tools
Kevin has had his own computer for a few months now and it's been a great asset in helping him learn. For a while, he had one of our used laptops and a toddler game as well as one other game that was a tad too difficult.
When I set up my old desktop for him to use I loaded JumpStart Preschool (a 1999 version) and he enjoyed it enough that we bought JumpStart Advanced Preschool, which he has played quiet a bit and been able to pick up some math, reading and language skills from. It comes with 4 CDs, Toddler school time, Preschool Fundamentals, Language Club and an Art CD. Quiet an impressive collection for less than $20.
At that time, Knowledge Adventure, was working on a pseudo-on-line learning system that caught my eye; JumpStart World.
In JumpStart World, your child gets to select from several different characters that they can play. They are then dropped in to an interactive world (much like an MMO) where they are able to walk around the town, talk with other characters, and enter building to participate in activities. There's also a few fun activities outside the buildings as well, like the music stand and a character that will play hide and seek.
It's fairly customizable as well. Using gems earned in the learning games, children can purchase music (for the music stand) and decorations for their cabin which allows them to have some say in the customization. There are billboards around town that will display their artwork and can display photos (or other jpgs) that parents load from the parental controls.
One thing I like that has changed from the regular JumpStart programs is that the parental controls are a separate program. Using this, you can upload photos and check on your child's progress in the different activities. There's also a web based portal that will let parents send a special message, enable special rewards, and see what badges their children have earned.
I was a little disappointed that there is not preschool module; JumpStart World is for K-2. However, we found that the Kindergarten module is something that he can handle.
The program also updates itself with additional modules. The advertising on this is a bit fuzzy since they say that it updates as your child needs it and it says it downloads monthly. Here's how it goes: When you buy the game, you get 2 modules (you can DL the program for $15.99). Then each month, the program will down load the next module (modules are 9.99 each/ on sale for $7.99 right now) so that you receive a total of 12 modules. However, if your child finishes a module before the month is up, they will receive the next module early. So, the cost, if you plan on doing the whole thing is a minimum of $7.99 a month. Right now, there's a special to get all 12 modules as you need them for $74.99.
That seems like it might be a bit much, but based on the work that he is doing now it's been worth the initial fee. The trial download allows access to the reading and math huts, the zippy-mart, and their cabin. I know that there are other places because you can see them in game, they're just fenced off. I don't think this is something that he's going to get board with for quite a while...it may just live up to the promise "Your Kids may never watch TV again."
(He's watched TV in the week since getting it, but he hasn't asked to watch TV.)
Posted by Jesse at April 17, 2007 02:01 PM