Looking for fun educational software for 4+

HappySad

My son loves CBeeBies and have had lots of fun learning stuff on it. He can play for ages while we sit with him or on his own.

I have made bad purchases with educational software in the past and I am looking for something that is on the same level as CBeeBies in being fun, educational and easy for a young child to use on their own. CBeeBies talks to you and ask you questions and explains what is happening without your child having to read (my son is not yet old enough to read).

So can you recommend any good educational computer software or websites. Links to them would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

bonnie_2

The earlier you can teach them to read the better. I used starfall which is free online my dd loved it. They also have worksheets to print of which are free. education city is also excellent and only £30 a year. You get a free trial as well. sorry can't do links.

Lunar_Eclipse

Hi

Your son is definitely old enough to read, but perhaps you feel he isn't ready yet. It is not age dependent perse. My eldest started reading at three, youngest was four. They do need to know all the letter sounds first obviously, so this is the starting point. But I feel I should point out that mine both did this at pre-school and not at home, since I'm not actually in favour of early formal education given all the research in this area - before anyone jumps on me!:D

Anyhow, sadly I am not aware of any good educational software. I think the likes of Cbeebies and Gridclub websites are brilliant. And also we had a couple of brilliant DVDs (Jolly Phonics & Little Miss spring to mind) that the girls loved watching over and over. And drove me mad in the process. Tweenies, Barny, Dora etc are also very good at communicating educational concepts in a fun way. I would have a look in the library perhaps? And then there are programmes like Little Bear which deal with friendship etc. We loved Little Bear, Maggie & Max and Ruby.

Peakma

My daughter has been enjoying this site since she was two,shes nearly five now,and although she doesn't use it as much these days I wouldn't say she'd grown out of it yet.Definitely worth a look.
http://www.poissonrouge.com/

mrcow

What types of things are you wanting him to learn?

Age 4 is more than old enough to learn to read.

Forget the telly. Forget any software. The best way to teach him is to do it yourself and read with him.

Does he know all his phonics yet? His nursery/preschool should have taught him these by now if he attends one. If they have, find out at what level he's at and what they are intending to do in the run up to him starting reception. If not, then try teaching them yourself. My daughter has learned all her phonics simply with a pencil and paper or one of those magnetic drawing boards where you can clear the screen. It's as fun as you want to make it!

liney

The Pre School my son goes to don't teach phonics to the children until the term before the are due to move up to Reception class, so insinuating that the child is 'behind' is unfair, and unkind.

Jolly phonics are good, as are home made flash type cards, tracing letters in sprinkled flour or the sand pit, magnetic letters... i could go on.

The Playhouse Disney website has lots of matching and creative games if that's the kind of thing you are looking for; very similar to Cbeebies.

owtfornowt_2

Have you tried the Little Learners Acitivty Centre on the BBC website. Lots of interactive activites here.
Also try East Renfrwshire Councils website and link onto 'Curriculinks'. This site is used in their schools and is stage/age & subject related.

HappySad

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I have just almost completed teaching my son his 42 phonics sound and teaching him to sound out words. He can sound out the words but can only hear the word when I sound them out to him. I agree that the best thing is to spend time teaching him stuff but I also feel that when he spends time on the computer then it can also support my teaching. He has learnt so much on cbeebies and know he can learn more on other packages. I spend some time with him on the computer and use the computer as a teaching aim just like pen and paper.

lil_me

A school not far from me has a great website with some fab resources on http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/site%20map.htm click on the links in the green box for loads of links to some great websites

SWMBO

Zoombinis, Reader Rabbit, Bear & Penguin's Big Maths Adventure, & Jump Ahead have all been popular software titles here. Ebay is especially good value for this sort of thing -there are lots of ebay shops with children's software titles for much less than in the high street, or even amazon.

Also have a look at the websites for nickjr, Disney & NGkids. Finally, miniclip.com & popcap.com have some great games but you'll need to help him find the ones suitable to his age.