Any recs on educational software for preschoolers?

[Narkos]

There's a ton of stuff out there and very mixed reviews on most of it. Anyone have any experience with software for kids? I have an almost 4 year old and would like him to get acquainted with the computer.

[fight4my3sons]

1. my kids like Jump Start and Reader Rabbit

My oldest is 6 and my twins are 4. They have all been using the computer since they were 3 (the twins were younger since my oldest was using it before them).

[AwakeAtLast]

7. Yup, those were the ones I was going to suggest!

:thumbsup:

[seabeyond]

8. i liked the jump starts too. really liked them. n/t

[trotsky]

2. My kids used the Jump Start software too and liked it.

It appears to be a good line of programs. A word of advice: turn down the sound or get out of earshot because the music is generally annoying and repetitive. The kids didn't seem to mind at all though.

In the cheap CD bin I also got them Candy Land, a Hello Kitty game, and various others that they have enjoyed.

[wildeyed]

3. Some libraries have children's educational software available to borrow.

That way you can check it out and try it before you buy. I never much liked the stuff for really little kids.

[FormerDittoHead]

4. Educational in a way - the "I Spy" games are fantastic.

The "I Spy Puppet Theater" is just about the best game I've seen for my 4 year olds. There's an "I Spy Fantasy" which is great, but a little older than the puppet game.

They are VERY impressive in that they are practically EXACTLY the game you'd want your kid to be playing.

These are available inexpensively on eBay.

Clifford (the big red dog) has a very good reading game as well.

[trotsky]

5. How could I have forgotten about "I Spy"??

Another enthusiastic vote for those games.

[Sabriel]

6. If he watches Dora already, the Dora ones aren't bad

Be prepared to hate her voice after a short time....