Preschool Software

Choosing Software for Your Child

Many parents want to introduce their toddlers to the computer with kid-friendly software. There is plenty of software out there, but before you head to the store, consider the following points:

• Computer software should be developmentally appropriate.
• Software should be geared towards how a child develops and learns based on her ability and her age.
• Programs should encourage a child's imagination. Choose programs that involve story telling, drawing, painting, etc.
• Software should involve exploration. Look for software that encourages a child to search for the answers.
• Programs should encourage problem-solving.
• Software should engage as many senses as possible.
• Software should provide feedback and allow for controlled progression from one objective to the next.
• Choose software that supplements other learning activities, such as coloring, alphabet, numbers, spelling, matching, etc.
• Look for software that is open-ended. In otherwise, a child should be able to problem-solve and see the results of his or her choices.
• Choose software that encourages cooperation and interaction.

Keep in mind that software programs are continuously updated, and what might have worked for your elementary-school aged child may be out of date for your toddler. Talk to other parents about their favorite preschool software. If your child attends a preschool, ask her teachers for suggestions. Check out opinion Websites, such as [Epinions] to get other consumers' viewpoints as well.

Using Software

Once you've purchased software for your preschooler, you obviously can't give him free rein with the computer. You'll need to be an active participant as well. If your preschooler isn't familiar with using a mouse or the keyboard, spend some time familiarizing him with these and other parts of the computer. If he doesn't understand how to use the computer, he will become easily frustrated with any software you give to him.

• Monitor the amount of time your preschooler spends on the computer.
• Choose games that are age appropriate. If you choose something that is too difficult, your child will become frustrated and lose interest.
• Involve your kids in choosing their software games. Talk to them about their interests.
• Discuss the different activities that are available on the software. Give your child a couple of choices. Too many choices can be overwhelming to a small child.
• Help your child with the more difficult objectives. While you obviously don't want to do the games for him, you may need to walk him through the program the first couple of times until he understands the basic concepts of the program. Encourage him to try again if he gets something wrong. Praise him for trying even if he misses a problem.

Preschool Software Recommendations

The following is a list of sites that either rates software or lists favorite preschool software programs. If you have any favorite software programs that you'd like to add to the list, please let us know in the comments section of this article. We love hearing from our readers!

• Super Kids offers complete reviews of kids' software.
• Electronic School is another site that lists favorite software programs for kids.
• Rocky Mountain Learning Systems offers some challenging software designed for preschoolers.
• Planet CD ROM offers quality, full-version preschool software for free. You pay only shipping and delivery with no membership clubs to join.
• Smart Kids Software lets you choose software by several levels, including age and subject.
• Smart Neurons offers software games that encourage critical thinking, imagination and leadership skills and are targeted to enhance a child’s educational experience.