I want some software for my 3 year old to help her learn letters, words and numbers before she starts school !

Question

Any ideas/opinions on what is the best to get/best to avoid would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks

Answer 1

Try the BBC schools page lots of interesting stuff aged at all different ages excellent my sons age 4 and 7 love it,don't read all that c**p others are saying about reading,of course we all do that for our children we just want to expand their horizons and they will be on computers at school its the 20th century after all!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

well for my cousin i got him a number chart and an alpahbet chart (wallchart) i know its not software but it is just as good-it can be looked at daily.and at anytrime.

try cbbc website or citv

also send her to preschool or nursery

Answer 3

From my research - hope this helps

Little Genius 2.2

License:Free

Requirements:  Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

Little Genius is a talking program that teaches your child reading, writing, and spelling. The program uses music, sound, and eye-catching graphics to grab the attention of kids. Interactive lessons make computer sessions exciting and enjoyable. It s a total learning experience for kids of all ages. Even young toddlers of 18 months can learn to use the computer. The program increases a child s comprehension with true animations-simulations that show the correct steps in drawing an alphabet.

Depending on a child s age, there are three levels to pick from. The program not only imparts reading skills, but also teaches a child how to interact with computers--another valuable skill in today's networked world. The software package is guaranteed to keep kids educated, informed, and entertained for hours. A password feature restricts a child from closing the program or accessing other computer resources. Also included is a new, exciting, animated puzzle game.

Editor's review of Little Genius

This program may look promising due to its colorful graphics, but users will quickly realize there are major design flaws, including the inability to exit the program and no help file. The interface includes static images that resemble flash cards and buttons with no explanation as to what they do. Rows of colored flowers let users change colors, but this feature, along with the instrument selection option, does not improve the learning process. Little Genius does include three skill levels based on age ranges but there is little difference between them. The program uses a dot-to-dot tracing method for letter recognition and writing skills, but this feature is confusing and the computer-generated voice is unrealistic. This program takes over your screen and requires the user to hit CTRL+ALT+DELETE to exit. Though it's free, parents will find Little Genius offers little value.

Answer 4

Try www.educationcity.com you get a free 30 day trial and then the idea is you pay for a subscription (although there is nothing to stop you applying under a different email etc and get more free trials!).

I'm a teacher and we use this software on a daily basis its fun and interactive. Another bonus is the fact that it allows you to chart the progress your child makes.

It also has tasks for children up to12, so your child wont run out of activities to do.

Answer 5

A terrific program to teach letters to children is www.Starfall.com .  It is free and interactive.  Kids love using it.  I am a kindergarten teacher and I have used it in my classroom.  

I hope your child likes it.

Answer 6

One great site for learning letters-sounds-reading is

www.starfall.com

Answer 7

I think the problem with a lot of the responses above is that they assume you aren't interacting other ways.  I see nothing wrong with sitting with your child for a REASONABLE amount of time doing something like an educational video game.  

Also, would like to note it is good to help them learn stuff, but don't worry about it too much.  They're going to school to learn letters and numbers.  That's what the school will teach too.  But it is nice to get them exposed to it.

I'll assume you're looking for something to use in moderation that goes along with a list of other activities you're doing and found this.  It wasn't as easy to find as I thought it would be:

http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Kids-Preschool...

I don't know if it's any good.  But .... ?  Worth at least passing along.

Matt

Edit to Caroline:  It's the 21st Century

Answer 8

we had learning land for the pc. my two loved it, not only did they learn they had fun...... obviously i also read to them....(as you do!)

Answer 9

My daughter has just turned 4.  I have her in a Montessori school.   In her school they learn their letters using sandpaper in the shape of the letters.  It is called sensory learning and it Works.  I am amazed.   They learn the letters by the feel of them and the sound (Only).  That teaches them how to write the letter (to feel it) and the sound only - so when it comes time to spell out words they have the sounds.  For example they would have a letter C in sandpaper and to them it would be only "cah" as they feel the letter.   Something you could try at home.  Also I have a dry erase book (from your local bookstore) that goes through each letter and how to write them.  Dry erase is awesome because you can wipe off and go again.  

For the computer there is this very awesome site:

http://www.starfall.com

My daughter loves this site and yes at 3 she did just fine on the computer.  

I will highly recommend looking into a Montessori School as I have been so very impressed by the curriculum and the enormous difference it has made in my child.

Good Luck to you and your toddler!!

Answer 10

I'd be surprised if a 3 year old could work a computer properly. Here's a radical idea....why don't you sit down for an hour with her and help her to learn letters, words and numbers instead of plonking her in front of a screen....she'll learn a lot more and faster doing it this way because she'll be with you all the time, not watching the screen!...jeez!

Answer 11

if you really want to use software, try using the jumpstart series, they have one for every year level.

Answer 12

my daughter is 4 years old and about to start school in September and while I let her use the internet to access the Cbeebies website, and use word pad to count up to 10 and write her name, this is only as a treat as prolonged computer use for someone of that age is very damaging on the eyes. Why not buy her some books/wall charts etc? Shops like The Works sell great educational book for only a couple of quid and I got my daughter a 1-20, telling the time, alphabet and first map of the world wall charts, they're only £2.99 each.

Not only will a book or chart not suffer from techinal difficulties, your daughter will much prefer Mummy and Daddy spending some time with her learning!! Its great fun!!

Good luck. x

Answer 13

how about some books

Answer 14

Buy the Alphabet Express cdrom. i bought it for my brother. It says the sound of a letter when you click on it, and it helps you find things that start with that letter. It is educational and fun.

Answer 15

serious answer - don't get software - there's great stuff on the internet - this site www.starfall.com  - is brilliant - I use it for my little nephew (I would have used it for my children when they were small) I am an ICT lecturer in a college, obviously books are tried and tested and wonderful for quiet times - but the internet is colourful and appealing to a 3 year old. (and noisy)  I think you're a brill parent to want to teach her to read pre-school.  Both my kids were fluent pre-school and it paid off big time - so stuff the teachers who say different (4 A levels and 5 A levels, apiece).  People tell you "don't waste your time teaching them to read" etc etc - why not send them to school smart!  Software is expensive and it never does what you hope it will.

Answer 16

The best thing that I've found is a video seris made by Leap Frog called the Letter Factory.  It not only teaches letter, but it tells the sounds they make also.  As far as words, they make another video called the Talking Words Factory, and Talking Words Factory 2 Code Word Caper.  They also put out one on number, but I can't recall the name of the video.  Maybe Math Circus or something like that.  I bought all the video's at Wal-mart, but you could probably find them at Target, or any Toys R Us.  My son at 3 1/2  knew all the letters and sounds they made.  It was wonderful since he loved to watch movies anyway it was perfect.  He loved watching the talking letters, and he was learning in the process.  It's not software, but it works.

Answer 17

my almost 4yr old enjoys simple games on nickjr.com, they teach a lot and she knows how to play by herself.  

it promotes listening, concentration, focus, motor skills....

check out playhouse disney and noggin sites also.  

good luck :)

Answer 18

While perhaps software would be nice, even better is reading to her and spending time with her.  Help her learn - don't foist it off on technology.  Reading to children is one of the best ways to help them learn to read on their own.

Answer 19

As a nursery teacher can I say that a computer is a super way of helping your child in addition to 'traditional' methods.  I have 3 yr olds who can handle a computer really well.

A lot of programs in UK concentrate on capital letters rather than lower case letters (sounds) and your child should be learning the sounds rather than capitals.  I have yet to find a piece of software which shows great 'letters', a lot of them struggle with x / v type sounds.

Clifford the big red dog phonics should be avoided, although other clifford software is good.

At school we use a lot of 2Simple software / Sherston but I am unsure if they are available for general sale.

You can get CDRoms with a mix of 'subjects' but they often long winded before you even get into the activity.  I think newer child computers is Leapfrog may be better but I am unsure of the quality of the programming.

I wish I could be more helpful,but I will be looking out for other responses myself!!

Answer 20

My son is 4, and he's been on the computer since he was about 2 and a half.  

But we have never purchased software.

Fact is, the internet is full of great learning tools that run right from the 'net and cost nothing.  Sesame Street and Playhouse Disney have a ton of very cool, educationally sound, free games and activities on line for anyone to use.

You can spend money if you want to, or you could try them out for free and if you don't like them, then go spend some money.  I suggest that you try for free before yo ubuy anything.  You won't even have to leave your house and you could start right now.

Answer 21

Internet sites such as cbeebies have good online games that encourage the early learning goals.

Alsothere's a series called "Preparing for..." (or something sounding similar) and it has serious of 'school', 'numbers', 'letters'. My pre-schoolers enjoy it as its based on learning through games rather than worksheets (Which through my Early years training I've learnt can have a negative effect on young childrens development andattitudes to learning').