JumpStart Advanced Preschool (Windows/Macintosh)

by Knowledge Adventure

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00008OE6P
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,527 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #10 in Video Games > Mac Games > Action
  • #31 in Software > Children's Software > Early Learning
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 25, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

JumpStart Advanced Preschool has more fun and enriching learning activities than ever in its new travel themed 3-CD set designed to prepare your child for Preschool and beyond.

Product Description

JumpStart Advanced Preschool is an innovative 3-CD set that presents important learning concepts while entertaining your child!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advanced Preschool, May 13, 2005

By 

B. Black (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JumpStart Advanced Preschool (Windows/Macintosh) (CD-ROM)

We have used reader rabbit toddler and learning center (jump start) toddler and my 2-3 year old son enjoyed the jump start more. Now he is 3 and a half years old and after using reader rabbit personalized preschool for awhile, I have to say the Jump Start Advanced Preschool blew us away. My son responds to this game so well! Whereas he often shut down reader rabbit all by himself when he was done, we have to drag him away from the computer when he is playing Jump Start Adv Preschool. The main idea is that kids earn rewards for their baby animals by getting 3 things right in different categories (rhyming, counting, letter matching, etc.) I love the idea that he is rewarded by giving his virtual pet a treat or a bath, for instance, and I think what a great way to reinforce kindness and doing nice things for others and at the same time learn some skills.

Today we went back to reader rabbit preschool to finish it. In this game, kids complete several learning games to earn tickets for a carnival ride. I had to bribe my son with m&ms to get him to complete the last carnival ride games. Instead of letting him 'go' on the carnival ride, the program cut to a parade (since he had completed the game as well) and at the end of the parade it went to credits and then a reward certificate. Then the game crashed. None of his work was saved. I finally managed to get his work saved but the game still crashes if he goes back to the parade.

JumpStart Adv. Preschool also came with 2 other CD-ROMs: Language club and Art for Fun. My son really enjoys the Language Club as well and I feel like we really got our money's worth with this game. In terms of which games motivate him to learn, Jump Start wins hands down.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wish I could return it, August 22, 2004

By 

J. Smith (Gilbert, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JumpStart Advanced Preschool (Windows/Macintosh) (CD-ROM)

My son is almost 3 years old, and actually likes the software. There are lots of cartoons and songs. However, the software is short on actually teaching anything. 95% of the time we're choosing which game to play or trying to give rewards to the onscreen pets.

For example, my son understands the difference between big and small. There is a game that teaches this where you have to pick up a small bunny and put it on a small stump, then pick up a big bunny and put it on a big stump. Although my son understands the concept they are trying to teach, the cartoons and instructions are so confusing for him, he can't figure out what's going on. In another case, we're looking for 4 American flags in the kitchen underneath spoons, loaves of bread and such. After you find the first flag, the second flag could be anywhere- including places you've already looked. There is no memory aspect, just point and click until you find the flag. It teaches you to click on everything until you're done. And as I said before, most of your time will be spent on clicking through the menus and introduction screens. My son likes it, but only for the animation, not because he's learning anything.

This is an interactive cartoon rather than a learning tool. If you want to have your child sit on your lap as you click through the animations, this is the game for you. If you want an educational experience, try just going online to Nick Jr. and using their games for free.

(...)

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Overly complicated, poorly thought out, January 5, 2004

By 

Tim Minogue (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JumpStart Advanced Preschool (Windows/Macintosh) (CD-ROM)

This review is for Jumpstart Advanced Kindergarten.

I really have to question the impartiality of some of the reviews of the JumpStart products on this web site, based on my experience with two of the Jumpstart products, which I think are some of the worst kid's software I have encountered.

The activities are confusing in their structure, overly gimmicky and the activities are poorly graded for difficulty, some being pathetically easy for my 3 year old and some being way too hard. The voiceovers are grating and overly patronising, even for a 3 year old.

It seems like the design of this software was driven by games programmers with little knowledge or understanding of early learning concepts.

In contrast I have found the Disney CDs such as Pooh preschool, Pooh Kindergarten, Mickey Preschool and Mickey Kindergarten, to be beautifully animated, well graded and intelligently structured. Another standout is the Blues Clues CD, my daughter loves this one. The Dr. Seuss Preschool CD is also excellent.