OT: Can anyone recommend computer game for 3yo?

[cerberus]

I am looking to buy some fun games / educational activities for my 3yo to play on the computer, anyone have any they can recommend? Thanks!

 

[Elmo888]

Save your money and go to playhousedisney.com! My just turned 4 yo loves it.

 

[aanderson5]

My DS is currently on our other computer "making snowmen" on http://starfall.com It's a great site, very educational. It teaches letters, matching, the days of the week etc. It has harder levels to the point where the child is reading. DS loves it.

 

[mrstomrice]

If you're looking to buy something, my DS, now 4, loves his Smart Cycle!
As for online activities, he likes pbskids.org
Good luck!

 

[sl_underwood]

Tonka Dig n rigs. My son got this at around 3 1/2 and still loves this game. He also likes the Jumpstart Prek- Kindergarten.

 

[TaraPA]

I also second the Jump Start series, as well as the Tonka games. The Jump Start games are educational, and the Tonka ones are just plain fun! My boys are 8 & 11 and I just convinced them that they are too old for those CD ROMS & it was time to get rid of them!

 

[*Seanaci*]

Go cheaper. Check out your local library and get your kid some books to read.

While computers and games are great and can be educational, books (in my opinion) invite children to use their imagination by making up a story to go with the pictures (if they can't read yet). Books encourage creativity.

 

[cerberus]

Great Thanks everyone for the great suggestions

Go cheaper. Check out your local library and get your kid some books to read.

While computers and games are great and can be educational, books (in my opinion) invite children to use their imagination by making up a story to go with the pictures (if they can't read yet). Books encourage creativity.

Seanaci, thanks for your opinion, but we do have lots of books and we read together everyday...actually so much that my DD can repeat several short stories to me. We also do lots of creative play. However as part of her education we do work on the computer to help her learn in a different way and work with her colors, shapes, letters, number , etc....hence why I asked the question. I am not plopping her in front of a computer to play by herself.

 

[rbramblett]

Leapster! My DS got one right before his 3rd birthday. He is now almost 6 loves it still. Lots of educational games. Has learned all the a,b,c's and numbers playing games. I also have a games I ordered from ABC called easy-keys keyboard that he loves.

 

[nikkers]

Great Thanks everyone for the great suggestions


Seanaci, thanks for your opinion, but we do have lots of books and we read together everyday...actually so much that my DD can repeat several short stories to me. We also do lots of creative play. However as part of her education we do work on the computer to help her learn in a different way and work with her colors, shapes, letters, number , etc....hence why I asked the question. I am not plopping her in front of a computer to play by herself.

Sounds like my DS. He loves to read, but it is nice to switch things up. We have a couple of Reader Rabbit programs. Someone recommended them to me. I found them at Target. We used them for learning the alphabet and phonics. We got them when my son was 3. My DS is 4 1/2 and is starting to read.

 

[cerberus]

Sounds like my DS. He loves to read, but it is nice to switch things up. We have a couple of Reader Rabbit programs. Someone recommended them to me. I found them at Target. We used them for learning the alphabet and phonics. We got them when my son was 3. My DS is 4 1/2 and is starting to read.

Glad to hear good things about the Reader Rabbit programs, I have a couple of reader rabbit programs coming with the keyboard I ordered her.

I just checked out the Jumpstart series and they look good too, so I am ordering one.

And I love the http://starfall.com, I have been playing on it myself

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

I was also going to suggest starfall.com! My DD5 learned how to use the computer by playing Chutes and Ladders on the computer, as well as Read to Me/Let me Play books for the computer like Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat. you can just listen and watch, or you can "play" and move things around into silly pictures, find hidden objects, etc.

 

[melancholywings]

Go cheaper. Check out your local library and get your kid some books to read.

While computers and games are great and can be educational, books (in my opinion) invite children to use their imagination by making up a story to go with the pictures (if they can't read yet). Books encourage creativity.

Computer games can help fine motor skills and also teach children computer fundamentals which they will need to be successful. I also wouldn't discount creativity.

When DD was little she loved the Freddie Fish and Pajama Sam type games. They are puzzle solving, with interactive backgrounds. I noticed that Freddie fish was released again for the Wii so I imagine they also have updated versions out for the PC.

 

[annhjk]

Fisher Price Pack

I'm not sure if they still make it, but we have a fisher price set that has airport, farm and toddler gets ready for school. My DS 3.5 loves the airport one. I need to start it for him, but he can get around by himself.

I didn't see the set, but here's one of the games

http://www.amazon.com/Ready-School-..._1_3?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1228335911&sr=8-3

 

[perkinsrose]

I'm a parent/teacher. I didn't have my kids use the computer til age 4 or 5limited use but there's lots of good programs for age 3.

I think most recommendations for young kids are for 1 hour screen time/day (Tv, movies,computertime). I wondered if my kids would be behind having little computer experience when they entered kindergarten--but they learn & catch on so quickly.

Check out KidPix software
and/or www.learningcompany.com

I agree www.starfall.com is great for phonics skills.

Jumpstart (preschool, K, 1st, etc. levels) good too.