Choosing Primary Software
When choosing primary software products the main things to take into account is your child’s interest and the quality of the product. It’s at the elementary and middle school level that many children’s educational software companies direct their product time and money.
And with good reason. Much of the learning that happens at this time is essential to a child’s future success. Reading, writing and comprehension are three major cognitive skills necessary to succeed in adapting to the modern world and learning almost any profession or trade.
So when looking at the quality of the product there are a number of factors to take into account. First is the software company’s history and reputation and, if available, other parent’s and children’s experiences of the product.
The two major players in the primary educational software market are Jumpstart and The Learning Company. Other companies have come and gone but these two have been the mainstay of educational PC games for two decades. Having said that there are other companies that may produce occasional hits but these two can be relied upon for their dedication to the medium.
Jumpstart is known for its grade based series, starting from toddlers, through preschool and all grades to grade 6. They have developed a reliable format that works with both engaging kids and educating them. They also refine their products so that any issues that slip through in the first version are fixed in 2nd and subsequent version. For more information on Jumpstart programs and what other parents have to say about them you can check out Amazon’s website.
The Learning Company is the second major educational publisher of primary software. Like Jumpstart they have titles for each grade but have divided them into two separate series depending on grade levels. The Reader Rabbit series of titles is catered for toddlers through to 2nd grade while the Clue Finders Series focuses on grades 3 to 6. Both series are well regarded and again you can check out Amazon for Reader Rabbit and Clue Finders or click through the specifically recommended products below.
Reader Rabbit (Early Grades)
ClueFinders (Late Primary)
Jumpstart
Another way to purchase software for primary ages is to use ebay. PC software can be cheaper on ebay and you can get great deals if you look regularly. The following are LIVE ebay listings so if you see a program you like, don't hesitate to Buy It Now.
