children's software review

Reader Rabbit Early Reading Learning System (ages 3-5)

Rating: 

Review Sections: Product Overview  Technically Speaking  Educational Value  Entertainment Value  Design  Replayability  Dollar Value    

Reader Rabbit Early Reading Learning System - Product Overview
This new software package includes 3 CDs as well as flashcards and stickers.

The first CD-ROM is entitled Reader Rabbit The Great Word Chase (screenshot at right) and offers children an interactive storybook. Kids join Reader Rabbit, Sam the Lion, and friends, on a chase for words that pirates have stolen. Each storybook page features the story itself, which is read aloud with sentences highlighted as they are read, and a variety of clickables. For example, kids can click on a vowel and hear its short vowel sound. They can also play learning games if they click on the little star icon at the top of the spread. They need to find one of the stolen words on each storybook page, each of which contributes to a sentence that kids complete by the end of the story. Other clickables include simple words that are sounded out (such as "bag", "dam", and "fig"), and characters who have simple, readable names (such as "Bev", "Mat", and "Dot").

Clicking on the lightbulb icon pulls up a "thinking question"--an open-ended question that is designed to encourage children to think about the story and the game (for example, "Why do you think the pirates stole the words?").  Once the story is complete, kids can take a test, which offers a few questions that test reading comprehension and phonics.

The second CD-ROM in the package is entitled "Print 'n Go Activities". Those families who tend to ignore "printables" shouldn't pass up on this disc. It not only includes full-color activity sheets, it contains a number of fully interactive early reading activities, culled from previous Reader Rabbit titles: Reader Rabbit Preschool and Reader Rabbit Kindergarten. These activities include Rush River Phonics, which involves "shaking" glitter shakers labeled with letters over items that start with that letter; Bounceketball Dunk 'n Rhyme, which requires players to click on words that rhyme with a given word; Silly Phonics Slide, involving finding beginning letters that complete simple words; Cloud Spelling Challenge, which involves, for example, adding "h" to spell "hat", and spelling the word "bell" by adding the letter "e"; placing story elements in logical order in Scrambled Stories; and Bubble Wrapper Reading.

The printables themselves are colorful and excellent worksheets. However, the cost of color cartridges for printers is high, and purchasing a Reader Rabbit workbook might be more practical in terms of expense.

The third CD in the package is a bonus music CD. For the most part, these educational songs teach kids about letters and words, but there is also the "Water Song", which has a science theme. The Reader Rabbit Theme song and Jolly Jamboree are familiar to many.

Full-color printed alphabet flashcards round out the package and serve as a reminder that learning to read involves using all of the senses. Letter and numeral stickers are included in the box.

Parents will appreciate this "Learning System", as it helps support phonics learning at home with young children. Kids who are enamored with video games might not find this package particularly exciting or appealing. However, the software is very valuable on an educational level, and is an excellent supplement to any learning to read program.

Technically Speaking
Minimum system requirements are Windows 98 SE/Me/2000 SP4/XP SP1; Pentium II 300 MHz or higher, 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM for 2000 and XP); 16X CD-ROM; 120 MB hard drive. For Mac users, Mac OS 9.2.2, OS X 10.2.8 or later; G3 350 MHz (500 MHz recommended for OS X); 120 MB hard drive; 64 MB RAM (128 MB for Os X); 16X CD-ROM. Optional: headphones, printer.

Educational Value
Children learn basic phonics skills. Short vowel sounds and simple consonant sounds (not multiple ones) are featured, keeping it simple for early readers. Kids are exposed to short words with short vowel sounds (such as "wig", "bat", and "dam"). The interactive storybook is read aloud, and sentences are highlighted as they are read. Once the narrator has finished reading the text on the page, kids can click on individual words to hear them read aloud, and enjoy the other "clickables" and learning games on the screen, most of which are educational. Skill-building multi-level activities are featured on the second CD-ROM. As long as parents don't mind using up their color ink, the "printables" are excellent worksheets that kids will enjoy.

Entertainment Value
The educational agenda is clear, with the focus mostly on academics. The characters and graphics are pleasing, and the title incorporates songs and interactivity.

Design
In the main program, a cluster of sparkling stars appear whenever kids activate a "clickable", which is a satisfying feature for younger computer users. The Activities CD-ROM features activities that, for the most part, contain 3 difficulty levels. These levels, by default, auto-adjust as kids play the games, but can also be adjusted manually. Overall, a well-designed title.

Replayability
The program doesn't scream to be played, as there are no obvious goals or "rewards" for playing. However, there is a fair amount of content in the package, and families committed to using the program as a supplement to learning to read at home should be satisfied with the program's content.

Dollar Value
This program carries a suggested retail price of $29.99 US.

 
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