 hile academic facts are important to learn, kids with
well-developed higher order thinking skills have a clear
advantage. The ability to think logically, solve problems, and
engage in lateral thinking are important skills that cross the
entire school curriculum—these skills will help kids in math,
science, language arts, and more. Though it can be tempting to buy
software titles that promise to cover a broad range of curriculum
skills—and these
often do have value—the following titles should not be overlooked
simply because
they don't explicitly deal with facts and figures.
Thinking
Skills Software for Kids up to 8 years old
As kids get
ready for a birthday party for Sam the Lion in Reader
Rabbit Thinking Adventures Ages 4-6, they play 8 different
activities, each designed to build problem-solving and thinking
skills. This clever game has kids sorting items into Venn
diagrams, decorating cookies with designs that require some
strategy to get just right, moving along a grid map using
directional icons, and extending patterns, to name a few. This
title is a little more challenging than most titles designed for
this age group, mainly because kids need to pay attention to
directions and draw on their observation skills in order to
succeed at the activities. This title is now a little harder to
find, though it is available in a software bundle entitled Adventure
Workshop: Preschool-1st Grade along with Reader Rabbit Math
and Arthur's Birthday. [Buy Adventure Workshop Preschool - 1st Grade
or Reader Rabbit: Thinking Adventures...
(jewel case version)]
Clifford
Thinking Adventures is a non-linear adventure starring
Clifford the Big Red Dog, and designed for Kindergarten-age
children. As with Reader Rabbit Thinking Adventures
(above), kids are preparing for a birthday party, but this time
around, children need to solve problems by collecting items in
addition to completing activities. Most of the problems kids must
solve have something to do with Clifford's awkwardly big
size--such as an activity in which kids must re-sort items that
Clifford has knocked from a market stand. [Buy Clifford The Big Red Dog Thinking...]
 I Spy
Treasure Hunt is the latest I Spy CD-ROM, and it is fabulous.
Children hone their observation and thinking skills as they solve
riddles and search for objects in detailed scenes. Once they have
collected 20 pieces of a map (after solving 20 different I Spy
riddle screens), the learning doesn't end--they must search for
hidden treasure by following directions left behind by a pirate. Best for children ages
6-9. [Buy I
Spy Treasure Hunt at Amazon.com]
Thinking
Skills Software For Kids Ages 9 & Up
 Top
Pick Logical Journey of the Zoombinis and the
latest addition to the series, Zoombinis Mountain Rescue,
are both fabulous journeys that require children to think
logically in order to succeed. Both exercise brains in special
ways, with the latter, slightly more challenging title especially
focused on developing thinking skills for the Information Age. [See our
review
of Zoombinis Mountain Rescue. Buy
Zoombinis Logical Journey
or Zoombini's Island Odyssey]
The
Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions presents a series
of wacky, partially built contraptions that must be completed.
Children use special parts to build fully functioning contraptions as they
work through puzzles that increase in challenge as they go along.
Because more than one solution is possible for many puzzles, kids
can experiment, get creative, and train their brains to be
resourceful. [Buy The
Incredible Machine: Even More...]
ClueFinders
Search & Solve Adventures focuses on problem solving
skills with the ClueFinders gang. Set in an amusement park, this
program requires kids to work through a number of activities that
are specifically designed to develop thinking skills. [Buy ClueFinders Search & Solve]
Uncle
Albert's Magical Album is an older title (which means it can
often be found at a deeply discounted price!) that can be
considered an undiscovered gem. Its non-linear adventure format
allows--and actually requires--kids to experiment in order to
solve problems. This title is unusual and unique. [Buy Uncle Albert's Magical Album]
Games
Rush Hour
Junior is a fun and challenging game that requires kids
(approximately 6-8 years old) to strategize. This junior version
of a popular game features 40 puzzle cards. The goal is to get the
ice cream truck back home before the ice cream melts. [Buy Rush Hour Junior]
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