You’ve got the computer. You’ve got the kids. Now all you need is some software to complete the picture.
But with 534 new children’s software products hitting store shelves in 1996 alone, according to Ann Stevens, president of PC Data in Reston, Va., shopping for that software can be as mind-boggling as setting up your computer, fax and modem for the very first time.
Which programs will hold a toddler’s attention? What features will grab an advanced 3rd grader? And what’s the best choice for a picky pre-teen? The answers, say the experts, depend on the child you’re shopping for and on what you want the software to accomplish.
“I definitely recommend doing your homework before you go to the store, or you’ll buy something just because you’re familiar with it, or you’ll pull the latest Disney title off the shelf because your child likes that video,” says Alison Elliott, co-author with Cathy Miranker of “Great Software for Kids and Parents” (IDG Books Worldwide).
“Look in books and in magazines like Family PC or Home Computer. You need something that helps kids learn as well as have fun–not heavy-duty video games but fun learning games that engage kids and keep them coming back for more.”
The first “homework” assignment is to study your computer’s capabilities, notes Barry Isaacson, software specialist at Noodle Kidoodle on Clybourn Avenue in Chicago, which carries more than 1,000 software titles for children from 18 months to the early teens.
“You have to know if your computer will handle the software,” Isaacson says. “If I ask, `What kind of computer do you have?’ and you say, `I don’t know,’ I can’t help you.”
That advice is especially important for people shopping for a grandchild, niece, nephew or friend. “If a relative purchases something for a family member, they have to know if the computer the child is going to be using is Mac or Windows. The big things to know are if it’s Windows 3.1 or Windows ’95; if it’s a Mac or Power Mac; the speed of the CD-ROM; and (the amount of) RAM,” explains Shannon Jamieson, spokesperson for the software company Broderbund in Novato, Calif.
“The No. 1 thing to know is the RAM (random-access memory) and the speed of the processor,” Isaacson concurs. “If you don’t match those requirements (with the software you select), you might be able to load the software but it won’t run. If you have a question, call first and say, `I’m coming to look for software. What do you need to know to direct me to software that will work on my computer?’ “
Once you know your computer’s capabilities, what do you do? Consider the following points:
– Your child’s age. “Every parent comes in and says, `I want software for my child and my child is very bright. I’m just waiting for someone to say, `. . . and my child isn’t very bright,’ ” Isaacson says with a laugh. “The fact remains there are stages of brain development and, generally speaking, a 5-year-old doesn’t have the critical thinking of a 9-year-old.”
Luckily, most manufacturers do a good job of putting age ranges on software packaging, which makes it easy to choose an age-appropriate product, says Elliott, who suggests buying at the bottom of the range.
“Good software can grow with your child. For example, a lot of educational games have different (skill) levels,” she notes. “I recommend that if the software is labeled for ages 6 to 9 that you don’t buy it for a 9-year-old. But I would buy it for a 6- or 7-year-old because they could be interested in it for two or three years.”
– The purpose you want the software to serve. Computers can help kids improve skills in various subjects and explore subjects that interest them. Consequently, those shopping for software should consider the recipient’s interests as well as abilities. “It really helps to think about what you want the software to do,” Elliott says. “Do you want it to help with the child’s schoolwork? If so, coordinate it with the curriculum of the grade the child is in.”
Jamieson says good computer packaging will help the buyer determine if the software will serve the desired purpose. “Check the back of the box that explains what you can expect the software to do and the skills that will be developed,” she advises.
For example, Broderbund’s Active Mind series–single-subject programs that teach essential learning skills–includes a section in each manual that describes the product’s educational benefits, educational resources parents can turn to and non-computer activities that tie in with and reinforce the skills the software focuses on. “It might be something like counting oranges at the store or identifying coins,” Jamieson says.
– Companies that have proven themselves in the children’s software arena. When your interest is children’s educational software, you should look first toward products made by companies that “really do a good job of it–those (that) have done it for years,” Elliott says. Big companies such as Broderbund, Davidson, Edmark, MECC and The Learning Co. and smaller companies including Theatrix, Headbone Interactive and Soleil are among those that “have software that’s consistent, well-developed and engaging to kids,” she notes. “All have solid track records for high-quality software.”
That advice is especially relevant given the number of big media companies that have entered the kids’ software market, Elliott says. “Software is now part of the merchandising when (these companies) do a movie. So there are a lot of players out there whose first stake is not kids’ education.”
– The “classic” software programs on the market. There will always be exciting new titles to entice kids. But if you’re just starting to build a software library, Elliott says a good place to start is with “classics that have emerged and have withstood the test of time.” Kid Pix/Kid Pix Studio (one of the industry’s first painting and creativity programs); the popular Carmen Sandiego detective series; Math Blaster; and Oregon Trail/Oregon Trail II are a few classics she recommends. “They continue to update these titles,” Elliott says.
Finally, the experts stress the importance of parental involvement even after the software is home and loaded into the computer. As Elliott concludes: “If you want to really get the educational value from the software and computer, you have to stay involved. Kids might need a nudge to move on to something more challenging. . . . Parents’ participation is important not only to make sure the software is right but also to make sure the children stay challenged.”
