JumpStart Toddlers and My Learning Scrapbook

The biggest problem is the strange navigation. I'm comfortable with computers (I've been a programmer for 15 years) and yet I find myself muttering under my breath while trying to get from one screen to another. Sometimes hovering with the mouse enacts animation (the butterfly); sometimes you have to click and hover (the menu). One gets the feeling it wasn't tested on anyone before release.

Another disappointment is the lack of interactivity. Maybe it's the excitement of finally being able to navigate to another area that sets you up for a let down. There is little to do in each section but watch minimal animation. Granted, toddlers have a limited ability to interact with the computer but even my 2 year old gets tired of it quickly.

If you want an expert opinion, my daughter chooses this game LEAST of all the CD's we own and it's the newest one. That should give an indication of how kid friendly it is.

If you can find the previous version of Jump Start Toddler, you'll find a vastly better product at a lesser cost.


super game   October 13, 2002
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a great game especially for beginers but I like it too.
There are lots of activities for young children.
You can explore Didi's grandma's home and its surroundings.
In each place there is a song.


Don't Walk Away.....   September 3, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

My daughter (3 1/2) likes the duck, but she really hasn't figured out how to get from one place to another on this. I find it difficult to navigate, myself. I had hoped that she'd gain some computer skills from this since she already knows her shapes, letters, how to count, etc, but no such luck. All in all, Jumpstart Toddlers isn't that great. And having to worry that the Jumpstart program will open up my Internet browser is pretty bizarre.


Don't Walk Away.....   September 3, 2002
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Your little one might be cruising the Web with this software!

If the feather (used as a pointer) winds up on the right side of the screen, there's an option to go to the Jumpstart website. The next thing you know, your sweet little baby is pushing keys, opening your browser, and going online. I think it's very strange that this software that's geared to toddlers tries to take them online.

My daughter (3 1/2) likes the duck, but she really hasn't figured out how to get from one place to another on this. I find it difficult to navigate, myself. All in all, this isn't that great. And having to worry that the Jumpstart program will open up my Internet browser is pretty bizarre.


Great start for beginning computer users   August 13, 2002
32 out of 33 found this review helpful

At around 2 years old my son began showing interest in computers. His dad is an IT Administrator so our son was around computers all the time. Also, he was (and still is not) interested in learning the traditional way (through books, play, etc.), but rather through computers. We were NOT disappointed with this piece of software! Through this program my son has learned most of the alphabet, shapes, numbers and colors. We have had this one for about six months and he has not lost interest in it.

However, there are some things that I was not pleased with. First, this product is recommended for children 18 months-3 years. It would probably be more suited for children 2 1/2 to 4 simply because it requires basic knowledge of how to use a mouse and the program does NOT teach this skill. Also, the concepts it teaches (letters, numbers, shapes, colors, music, animals, memory skills, etc.) are more geared toward the preschool crowd. Second, the layout is "busy" and it is hard to see all of the different entrance areas (even for me an adult). Finally, another minor complaint (it is very minor) is that the duck's voice can get annoying after 15 minutes or so for me, but my son enjoys it so this is tolerable.

Overall, I highly recommend this software, however, for children over the age of two.