Little Bear Kindergarten Thinking Adventures

PC version requires:
P75, Windows 95/98, 16MB RAM, 20MB HD, 4x CD-ROM, 256 color (640x480)

Mac version requires:
Power PC, System 7.5.3, 16MB RAM, 20MB HD, 4x CD-ROM, 256 color (640x480)

Description:

Join Little Bear and all his friends on a grand adventure as Little Bear heads off to meet his father for fishing and a camping trip. This 2-disk set focuses on critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.

Disk 1 includes 8 activities that are presented in story form as Little Bear travels to meet Father Bear:

Gathering Camping Equipment focuses on spatial directions as children help Little Bear pack for his trip.
The Sketch Pad lets children be creative by using drawing tools, colors and stickers to help Little Bear draw a picture for the mermaid he hopes to see.
Flower Sorting lets children practice sorting, color recognition and visual discrimination while picking flowers with Little Bear and Hen.
Shadow Play teaches object recognition and visual discrimination by identifying shapes with Little Bear and Cat.
Beaver Dam uses problem solving skills to help Little Bear and Duck repair the broken dam.
Owl Patterns emphasizes pattern completion as Little Bear and Owl sort objects for making wind chimes.
Fishing Game focuses on recognition of color, shape and size to find just the right fish with Little Bear and the Mermaid.
Dot-to-dot Constellations reinforces counting and number recognition by connecting the stars.

Upon arriving at the campsite, children can listen to interactive stories told by Father Bear or click on Little Bear's bag to return to previously played activities.

Disk 2 provides 25 activities that children and parents can do together. Choose an activity from categories on Arts & Crafts, Toys, Projects, Games and Parties; then print the instructions and get busy!

Features:

• 2 CD-ROM discs
• Characters and music from Maurice Sendak's Little Bear™ series
• 8 activity areas with emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving
• Multiple difficulty levels
• Auto-leveling
• 25 printable activities
• Progress reports

Technical Aspects:

The graphics and audio are exactly like those of the television series. Even the voices and the music are the same. It is always such a delight to find this continuity when a familiar program or movie is brought to CD-ROM!

Report and Conclusions:

As for me, there is much that I like about this title and a little that I don't like. I love the characters and the familiar "feel" of the game. It's a bit like stepping into the television program. One of the things that has always appealed to me about the show is the relaxed pace - that has been carried over very well into the software. Children are allowed to continue with an activity until they are ready to go on, and they can go back to an activity any time. The activities are randomized, but I did find quite a bit of repetition. While I found this frustrating when I played, I did realize that to a 5-year-old this repetition is not only necessary, but also comforting. When my son missed a problem, he was gently encouraged to try again and given help when needed. With the problem being repeated soon, he was able to master it and become more confident.

My main concern about the activities on Disk 1 is that there just doesn't seem to be much variety in the activities or in the difficulty levels. This is fine in that it allows the child to master problems and build confidence. However, it doesn't leave much in the way of growing room.

The printable activities are fantastic. Instead of the printable workbook pages I expected, I was surprised to find instructions for craft-type activities that families can do together. Projects range from origami flowers and nature party invitations to snow globes and rainsticks. Other materials and parental supervision are needed of course, but these projects were so appealing that my 8-year-old and I were eager to help. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, but can only be seen by printing them. Only a picture and description are given onscreen. I do think it would have been helpful to have the materials list and instructions available onscreen before printing, so that parents can prepare themselves. My recommendation is to have a notebook handy to place the instructions in as they are printed. Before long, you and your child will have made an entire craft book!

While the activities on Disk 1 are sure to be outgrown by the end of the 5th or 6th year, the craft projects will hold their appeal for years to come, making this title a great value.