Caillou Magic Playhouse

Reviewed by Alecia Dixon
Published by The Learning Company

Age Group: Ages 2-4, and 4-8
Type: More Fun
Price: $19.99

PC version requires:
233MHz Pentium II processor, Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP, 64MB RAM, 20MB free hard disk space, 16-bit color, 640x480 resolution, 4X CD-ROM, sound card and speakers, QuickTime 4 or later

Mac version requires:
200MHz Power PC processor, System 8.1-9.1, 64MB RAM, 32MB free hard disk space, 4X CD ROM, QuickTime 4 or later

Description:

Join Caillou in Caillou Magic Playhouse. Caillou's mom and dad are going out but Julie, the babysitter, has created a scavenger hunt in the house. Children can choose from four themes: Sports, Music, Sun & Sand, and Nature to find and fill their Treasure Trove. Along the way kids may choose to play one or all eight activities that are designed to build preschool and kindergarten skills.

In the Living Room there is a Building Block Workshop going on. Use blocks to follow the pattern and build a toy. At level 1 the child chooses a picture of the block toy that matches it and drag it onto the play area. Level 2 asks the child to spell the word representing the toy over faded letters under the picture. Level 3 requires the child to spell the word by themselves.

In the Kitchen Caillou's Crafts may be printed for away from the computer fun: Coloring Pages, Connect the Dots, Make a Picture, Play Puppets.

There is Sky Spy in the Front Hall. As the clouds pass by click on pictures you will see. As the levels get harder there are more clouds and they move a little faster. Fly By Butterfly is also found in the Front Hall. This is a matching and counting activity. Leo shows Caillou a picture of a butterfly and then asks the child to help Caillou find a specific number of butterflies that match. As the levels progress the butterflies become more ornate.

Tap the Tune in the Playroom. Julie will tap out a tune on the xylophone and Caillou will need to click the bars in the same order. Three automatic adjusting levels that build musical sequence and listening skills.

Sing and Dance in the Dining Room to: Twinkle Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Frere Jacques, or Camptown Races. Choose the dancing moves Caillou will do then play and join him while he dances to the tune.

Sort the Socks in Caillou's Room. Three levels of click and match to further memory.

Make a Silly Story in Rosie's Room as you choose from places, people, objects and more. If the child desires they may print out their story and draw a picture to go with it.

Features:

  • Choose from 4 exciting themes to spark young imaginations
  • 8 activities and puzzles, including making snacks and matching socks with Caillou
  • Print family time projects for away from the computer fun

Technical Aspects:

Easily installed. Sound and graphics are bright and clear.

Report and Conclusions:

Caillou Magic Playhouse is darling, my four-year-old daughter loves it! Our personal favorite activity is Building Blocks, level 2. What a great way to have fun, increase in pattern recognition, and work on our letters all at the same time! If you are searching for a program that offers lots of fun and education, for preschool and/or kindergarten students, this program is a sure winner.




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