User Reviews (1 - 11 of 21)

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Must be good!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 24
Date: June 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I haven't tried this one out yet, but I will go out on a limb here and say this is probably a good choice. Why? I purchased the original Jump Start Preschool for my 4 year old son and not only does he love it, it's really educational. It teaches memory, numbers, letters, etc. all in a fun way. I don't see how you could go wrong with this one.

Good first experience with computers

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

My 2 1/2 year old son loves this program. He started out having problems with his mouse skills, but soon mastered the interface. After a month, he has just about worn out this program.

My only reservations is that it runs on a 640x480 screen and does not automatically adjust the display when it starts (win98/SE). At the resolution I use on my computer, the screen is to small to see. It would be great if they had the program auto-adjust the screen resolution and mouse sensitivity.

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.

Great for a 4 Year Old!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: July 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

My son is 4 and he gets very bored with some games (ie Dora). This game has so many facets to it that it keeps him VERY occupied, and he really enjoys being able to customize things like stories. I wouldn't suggest it for a younger child, unless they are very proficient on the computer. Yeah for being Mac compatible!!

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.

Not great

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 11
Date: January 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I bought this because I was getting tired of playing online games over and over again with my toddler. Well, both me and my toddler think most of these games are boring. She likes Reader Rabbit Toddler MUCH better. Maybe an older toddle would like this better but I doubt it. Don't waste your money, find a better game.

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 so educational!

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 21
Date: April 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I wish I could return this set. My daughter hasn't learned anything new from it. She's 2!

Great even for 1-year olds!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: August 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This software (Jumpstart Advanced - Toddlers) is very easy to install and simple to use. My 17-month old can't yet use a mouse, but Jumpstart allows her to punch the keys and make things happen. She LOVES to sit in my lap and follow along as I play through all the games and activities. Her favorite part is the learning CD where she can explore colors, shapes, numbers, and other activities with a cute little duck named Dee-Dee. My daughter loves the animation and lively songs. When she's cranky and all else fails, I will say "Is it time for Dee-Dee?" and my little girl's eyes light up and she toddles into the computer room to wait for me to start her CD. I love this product and will likely order more from Jumpstart as she grows older.

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.

(...)

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