If you want to give a little someone a little head start on computer skills, there is a wide variety of CD-ROMs geared toward the preschool-age kid to choose from.
A good place to begin is with the Jump Start Learning System series, which has two programs. For kids ages 2-4, there’s “Jump Start Preschool” and, for kids 3 to 5, there’s “Jump Start Pre-K”.
The former works on comprehension, phonics and letter sounds, computer mouse skills, letters and numbers, vocabulary and music. The Pre-K package covers letter order, quantities, problem-solving, decision-making, social roles and more. Each is priced at $29.99.
Or you can turn to an endearing and popular Disney character to help your preschooler with pre-reading and pre-math skills. Winnie the Pooh and his friends make the Disney Learning Series’ “Ready to Read With Pooh” ($39.99) and “Ready for Math With Pooh” ($34.99) an engaging experience for kids 3 to 6.
And then there are software programs that go beyond teaching reading, vocabulary, math and the arts. Humongous Entertainment has developed a CD-ROM program that helps kids overcome their fears of the dark. It’s called “Pajama Sam” and sells for $39.99.
Humongous also makes a Putt-Putt series of interactive CD-ROMs, including “Freddi Fish ,” “The Missing Kelp Seeds,” “Freddi Fish Saves the Zoo” and “Travels Through Time.” Each “game” explains about the subject title (zoos and how they work, for example). Price is $35 each.
For Barney fans, Microsoft makes a doll that plays 12 songs and offers 17 games. It sells for $99.99.
But one of the best buys ($56) for pre-schoolers is Broderbund’s “Learning Advantage,” a boxed set containing “The Playroom” (includes phonics, counting); “James Discovers Math” (measurement, shapes); “Kid Pix” (coloring, painting); and “Just Grandma and Me” (word recognition, computer literacy).
