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Advanced Preschool

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 40 / 44
Date: May 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

We have used reader rabbit toddler and learning center (jump start) toddler and my 2-3 year old son enjoyed the jump start more. Now he is 3 and a half years old and after using reader rabbit personalized preschool for awhile, I have to say the Jump Start Advanced Preschool blew us away. My son responds to this game so well! Whereas he often shut down reader rabbit all by himself when he was done, we have to drag him away from the computer when he is playing Jump Start Adv Preschool. The main idea is that kids earn rewards for their baby animals by getting 3 things right in different categories (rhyming, counting, letter matching, etc.) I love the idea that he is rewarded by giving his virtual pet a treat or a bath, for instance, and I think what a great way to reinforce kindness and doing nice things for others and at the same time learn some skills.

Today we went back to reader rabbit preschool to finish it. In this game, kids complete several learning games to earn tickets for a carnival ride. I had to bribe my son with m&ms to get him to complete the last carnival ride games. Instead of letting him 'go' on the carnival ride, the program cut to a parade (since he had completed the game as well) and at the end of the parade it went to credits and then a reward certificate. Then the game crashed. None of his work was saved. I finally managed to get his work saved but the game still crashes if he goes back to the parade.

JumpStart Adv. Preschool also came with 2 other CD-ROMs: Language club and Art for Fun. My son really enjoys the Language Club as well and I feel like we really got our money's worth with this game. In terms of which games motivate him to learn, Jump Start wins hands down.

Overly complicated, poorly thought out

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 24 / 27
Date: January 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This review is for Jumpstart Advanced Kindergarten.

I really have to question the impartiality of some of the reviews of the JumpStart products on this web site, based on my experience with two of the Jumpstart products, which I think are some of the worst kid's software I have encountered.

The activities are confusing in their structure, overly gimmicky and the activities are poorly graded for difficulty, some being pathetically easy for my 3 year old and some being way too hard. The voiceovers are grating and overly patronising, even for a 3 year old.

It seems like the design of this software was driven by games programmers with little knowledge or understanding of early learning concepts.

In contrast I have found the Disney CDs such as Pooh preschool, Pooh Kindergarten, Mickey Preschool and Mickey Kindergarten, to be beautifully animated, well graded and intelligently structured. Another standout is the Blues Clues CD, my daughter loves this one. The Dr. Seuss Preschool CD is also excellent.

Wish I could return it

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 21 / 25
Date: August 22, 2004
Author: Amazon User

My son is almost 3 years old, and actually likes the software. There are lots of cartoons and songs. However, the software is short on actually teaching anything. 95% of the time we're choosing which game to play or trying to give rewards to the onscreen pets.

For example, my son understands the difference between big and small. There is a game that teaches this where you have to pick up a small bunny and put it on a small stump, then pick up a big bunny and put it on a big stump. Although my son understands the concept they are trying to teach, the cartoons and instructions are so confusing for him, he can't figure out what's going on. In another case, we're looking for 4 American flags in the kitchen underneath spoons, loaves of bread and such. After you find the first flag, the second flag could be anywhere- including places you've already looked. There is no memory aspect, just point and click until you find the flag. It teaches you to click on everything until you're done. And as I said before, most of your time will be spent on clicking through the menus and introduction screens. My son likes it, but only for the animation, not because he's learning anything.

This is an interactive cartoon rather than a learning tool. If you want to have your child sit on your lap as you click through the animations, this is the game for you. If you want an educational experience, try just going online to Nick Jr. and using their games for free.

(...)

Educational, fun, and easy to use.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 25 / 35
Date: February 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Jumpstart Advanced Preschool is an excellent 3-disc set of softare for children 2-4 years old. Each disc consists of a series of games which are explained by, and feature, delightful animated characters that your children will adore. These games teach fundamental skills like counting,letter recognition,shape sorting, musical appreciation, and so on.

At the start of each set of games, an animal 'pet'(rabbit, cat, lizard, etc.)is selected. With the successful completion of each game,the player is given a reward (some food, a toy, a brush...) for the pet to eat or play with. Kids love this. They giggle as they watch the dog chew his snacks and smile, or the cat play with his flashlight. After 4 reward items are acquired, the player is then encouraged to find the pet a loving home (they take off in a hot-air balloon and fly over potential new homes).

It's amazing to see how this simple reward system can motivate a child! My 3 year old son has been using this software for the past month and he never gets tired of it. He's excited every time he wins a new reward. Parents can customize the level of difficulty for each subject area, so the games should never get too easy or too difficult. Keeping the games at the appropriate level ensures that your child never gets bored or frustrated.

I haven't experienced any of the problems that some other reviewers have complained about. The sound and visuals all work perfectly. What's more, this software is very user-friendly. My 3 year old doesn't even need my help with it. He just sits at the computer and starts playing on his own (but it's fun to play with him, so I'm usually right by his side).

One piece of advice: I strongly recommend that participants listen to the spoken instructions before playing each game. If you begin clicking your mouse before the instructions have finished, you will immediately jump to the game before you know what you're doing. But, even if this happens, don't worry. Just click the "back arrow" button, and the instructions will repeat. Other than that, this is as easy as 1..2..3.

Not as good as i expected---dont waste your money

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 13 / 17
Date: January 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I bought this for my 3yo daughter because i was impressed with the other jump start programs. I was very dispointed. She likes the older program--it has more activitys and teaches so much more. And it was only 9 bucks, compared to the $29 dollars i shelled out on this program. It comes with 3 cds-she only uses one. Disk 1 preschool fundamentals is great, but does not have many activities. As for the other ones- i cant install the language program on my CPU.(many other people have the same problem)and the art disk is a waste.

Preschool Computer Lab Teacher - OK for 4-5's

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: November 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have taught preschool computer lab for two years and have used this software package both years (disks 1&2 only - we don't have a printer which is needed for disk 3). I have found this software to be too complex for my 2 & 3 year old students, but have found some success with my 4-5 year old students. They have some difficulty maneuvering through the games but learn with experience.

The students enjoy the puppets which they can dress-up and make dance; they also like the coloring area.

Overall, this software is certainly NOT the most popular in my computer lab, but my students seem to enjoy this software to some extent.

CD are easily destroyed

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 24 / 42
Date: December 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

One annoying hidden "gotcha" is CD copy protection. You can not make a copy of the CD for your kid. Even worse you can not install the game to the hard drive. Each time you want to play the game you must insert the original CD into the CD player. None of this is disclosed on the box.

Bewarned if your kids are young and do not fully understand how to properly handle CDs. With our tile floors the CD was very badly scratched within days.

The very idea that the game can not be installed on to the hard drive for quick easy access while the original is kept safe makes this a one star product. Look at other games that are friendly for parents and their children.

Not worth the money

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: October 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I had purchased Jumpstart 1,2, and 3 for my older child as she was growing and we loved all of these so I purchased preschool for my 3 year old. It is cute but not what you would expect for $30. I don't think the games are quite challanging enough. The art studio is a joke. It seems that they would have alot more games for the money..

Great game!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: March 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

My son used this game at his grandmothers house starting when he was 3. He loves it. He will go in the computer room and stay in there for hours playing different parts of the game. Printing pictures, and catching the shapes, and doing the patterns. He doesn't enjoy the ABC side as much but that is just him. I recommend to anyone with a preschooler. I was very surprised by all the poor reviews. BTW, we use this on Windows 2000 and it runs great. No problems installing at all!

ýWow that was off. Way off.ý

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 14
Date: July 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

My 2 1/2 year old daughter has been using Disney's Preschool software for about a month without a problem. After two session on this software she found the activities to be too easy, the only difficultly being mouse speed. She has asked to go back to Pooh.

The games are not intuitive and there is a lot of verbal instruction. There are also several logic flaws, such as arranging items for a picture and then the picture taken has nothing to do with the arrangement. In the phonics section, if you select the wrong letter the character actually says, "Wow, that was off. Way off."

I think the whole reward system is too complicated and takes you away from doing the activities. Disney has the same issue, just less so. Software makers should focus on fun educational activities and not on long story lines or rewards.

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