JumpStart Toddlers offers a pleasant introduction to preschool learning and computer readiness for the very youngest users. Greeted by host DeeDee the duck, toddlers are invited to explore Grandma's house and yard, where they experience a variety of enjoyable activities. Colorful animated characters help kids learn about colors, shapes, letters and letter sounds, numbers and counting, animals, and music appreciation. Each activity is accompanied by a simple song that reinforces the lesson theme.
Educational Value
JumpStart exposes toddlers to pre-reading and pre-math activities, while entertaining with amiable cartoon characters and melodious songs. It offers two interfaces, Level 1 allows beginning learners to initiate responses by pressing any key or simply moving the mouse over an object. Advanced users can select the Level 2 interface, which involves the user in more directed learning games.
Kid Appeal
With large, colorful graphics and pleasant characters and themes, this program makes a nice first computer experience for kids. Our testers were not, however as enamored with the characters as they were with more familiar preschool favorites.
Ease of Use / Install
JumpStart Toddlers installs without difficulty. Program navigation is simple, with a main activity selection screen, and activity screens that include an arrow button to return to the main screen, and a musical note button to initiate the related song segment.
Best for... / Bottom-Line
This cheery, easy-to-use program makes a nice introduction to the computer for toddlers.
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