Educational software for 3yr old

sethsgran

We want to help our grandson become familiar with the computer however not sure what would be the best for him. I have tried the cbeebies web site but he struggles with using the mouse etc. Is there any softeware out there where he can use the mouse without needing to right click or am I being too daft, can't you tell this grandma is computer illiterate!

Destiny33

Hi

TBH i think 3 is a bit young to be using a mouse. My ds is 5 now and able to use a computer and navigate websites as long as they are on favourites.

I used to show him websites like cbeebies from about your grandsons age but i would operate the mouse and he would "help". He soon got the hang of it but personally i dont think any software or lessons for that age helps just time and being shown how to do it.

sethsgran

Thanks for that I am so out of touch with early years etc. I thought there was a package you could get but I will carry on with what I am doing, Nina and the Neurons was a great success so will continue with that and others on cbeebies.

poodlehorse

My DS was using the Nick Jr site from 3, he struggled with the mouse to start with but they have little ones at nursery just right for their little hands and that brought him on a treat. But there are games on Nick Jr.com that only use the arrow keys and space bar, I put him on my knee and helped where he needed it but very soon he became independent (barring the occasional click off the page) he is now jut turned 4 and he can happily spend an hour on there navigating through the different games for each character. However we have a VTech Vsmile and I think this helped him a lot too. I would suggest one of these as a starting point rather than the PC, they plug in to the TV and are easy to take with you from house to house. Games aren't too expensive - you see loads on Ebay. They have great fun playing these games (Vsmile or PC) and they do learn loads as a result. Our local primary school has just spent a small fortune on Nintendo stuff (can't remember if it was Wii or DSlites) and apparently they are now all the rage in school as the focus is on "learning through play"

Steph998

If you can find anything with a little character in it called 'Adiboo'....buy it! I think Sierra Software have stopped bringing out new programs now, but there are loads out there on eBay and Amazon. Absolutely brilliant for little pre school minds - a teacher friend of mine uses nothing else.

Here's a review

'The environment disc is by far the best bit of Adiboo. Adiboo talks directly to your child and gives lots of verbal instruction on what to do next. My 3 year old loves to grow vegetables and flowers in the garden then cook up the things she has grown to make fun dishes in the kitchen. Although some of the language games are not very challenging there are enough different games and tasks to keep your child entertained for a long time. Adiboo is still my daughters favourite after over a year. I highly recommend this if you want to have fun with your younger children'.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adiboo-Can-Read-Count-Years/dp/B00004U219/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1236529294&sr=8-8

Steph998

Just had another thought...here's a site which gives you free educational software downloads. (Always use a virus checker, but my teacher friend uses it and I think it is fine.)

http://www.educational-freeware.com/freeware/category-Toddlers.aspx

Harveycat_2

sethsgran wrote: »

We want to help our grandson become familiar with the computer however not sure what would be the best for him. I have tried the cbeebies web site but he struggles with using the mouse etc. Is there any softeware out there where he can use the mouse without needing to right click or am I being too daft, can't you tell this grandma is computer illiterate!

IMHO 3 years is far too young to be sat in front of a PC. He's got his whole life in front of him to do that.

He needs to see the real world first.

Take him to the park and let him feed some ducks and kick a football around. Keep him the hell away from all things electronic for as long as you possibly can.

sethsgran

Gazfaz wrote: »

IMHO 3 years is far too young to be sat in front of a PC. He's got his whole life in front of him to do that.

He needs to see the real world first.

Take him to the park and let him feed some ducks and kick a football around. Keep him the hell away from all things electronic for as long as you possibly can.

Please don't assume that he is going to be sat in front of the TV or PC being entertained because he certainly isn't. I was just looking at another area as his nursery commented that he isn't too familiar with the computer yet. We regularly go for walks as a family, feed ducks, collect stones then watch the ripple effect in the water. He also bakes/paints/gardens etc on a weekly basis. If you were to ask what he favored most I would say either reading with one of us, helping grandad outside or when we have music sessions with the shakers etc that we make with him. Not all children have the opportunity to do as many creative arts as he does.