shawthorne44 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 A few months ago my 2-year-old requested to get on the computer. She hopped in the computer chair and looked at me with that bright shining face. My husband wasn't home that evening so I was looking for something for just the two of us to do, so I showed her Starfall. She loved it. We only ever do it when she requests it, she calls it "A B C's". She is now 2 1/3. She sits in my lap and I run the mouse basically turning our regular monitor into a touch screen. The only puzzle of the free part of Starfall that she can't do is the memory card game. I am a bit ambivalent about her being on the computer, but at the moment I am OK as long as it is a mommy activity. She is fairly bored with Starfall right now. Although, she still wants to get on. I have considered paying the money, but it seems like it quickly sets into reading books and I rather we stay on the pre-reading level, since she is 2. What online preschool games/learning activities wouold you guys recommend? I was looking at time4learning, but I am not sure. We just have a regular PC, no tablets in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildwood Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 abcmouse.com is a favorite one here. I think it is about $8 per month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 http://www.sesamestreet.org/games#media/game_fc1676fc-0c38-46fc-b897-4f99abed6674 i havent been in 6 years but they actually had decent early learning. and pbs kids too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 We pay the subscription for moreStarfall and I think it's awesome. It opens up a lot of math activities, a read-aloud library, and other things. My girls (though older than your child) enjoy those activities more than the regular Starfall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Starfall full subscription keeps my DS busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Poisson Rouge is a favorite around here. It has lots of mousing skills activities, as well as very rich academic activities. My youngest was able to enjoy it at 1yo, but my now 7yo still enjoys it sometimes. I love that they frequently change the games, which keeps interest high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeachingMyTwo Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 My advice is to invest in a mini portable laptop mouse. They are pretty cheap on amazon, I think I got our last one for about $8 inc. shipping, we needed a second the times they use laptops at the same time. Then get a velcro dot and stick it on the LEFT button. This saved my kids SO MUCH frustration! They can feel where to click, in the beginning I used a sticker and it did not work as well. The velcro dot sticks better, doesn't get worn off, and they can feel it better. They also make oversized track ball mouses for kids that they can roll with their whole hand (these are very popular for kids with special needs from my understanding) and they do not require fine motor control. But I found the mini mouse allowed them to manipulate it much better and we skipped straight to that at about 2 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 I had seen the phrase "toddler mouse" but I didn't know what it meant. I might look into that. Or maybe the velcro dot idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Here's another vote for the full subscription of Starfall. We have totally gotten our money's worth out of it for our 2yo; and there are things on the subscription that are used by our 6yo, too. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For the mouse, we have a "Tiny Mouse" for little hands. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the category of "not an online game," I recommend: Reader Rabbit Playtime for Baby and Toddler (Make sure you get a copy that is compatible with your computer software). RR for Baby and Toddler is super for motor control and the toddler (or preschooler) understanding how to move the mouse and watch the screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Another vote for Red Fish ... Aka Poisson Rouge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reign Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 My girls all loved poisson rouge at that age. Fisher price also has a couple easy games for toddlers on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 More Starfall is more than just reading. There are songs and calendar and dressing and on and on and on. Worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 An mouse, more starfall, pbskids.org, nickjr.com Also if you have an iPad there are tons of free apps for preschool. Don't worry about your child on the computer at that age. I allowed my son on it and now at six years old he only plays on it sometimes. I never limited his time. He can go days without touching it. He is very busy being an active little boy! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildwood Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 What age would you say More Starfall is geared for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 What age would you say More Starfall is geared for? I don't know but it's a pretty large range, I'd say. There are things that are just right for my 4 year old, but there are some concepts (in the math) that are a little too advanced for my 6.5 yr. old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 We used "More Starfall" with our 1yo. It was more for Daddy than for the 1yo, because he would stay up late with her and let me go sleep. It gave him more things to share with her on a website that entranced her. It saved his sanity. So maybe I should say......age 41. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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