Children's Software Review:    Disney Learning CD-ROMs

Disney Interactive’s latest curriculum-based learning titles represent fantastic value featuring bundles of mostly previously released CD-ROMs, 3 titles per package, each of which is a full-length CD-ROM. Each title carries a suggested retail price of $19.99 US and most programs included in the bundles are very worthwhile titles. These bundles will add variety and edutainment value to any family's software collection at a low price.

Two of the three CD-ROMs bundled in Disney Learning Toddler introduce children to basic concepts, like shapes and colors, in errorless, clever, and fun environments. We love both Winnie the Pooh Toddler (pictured at left) and Mickey Mouse Toddler—both make wonderful "lapware" software for parents and their young children to enjoy together. The third CD-ROM, Rolie Polie Olie The Search for Spot, is misplaced since even our 5 and 6 year old testers had trouble figuring out what to do in the game. However, families will enjoy the bundle as a whole. (Some editions of this bundle include The Book of Pooh instead of Rolie Polie Olie. The Book of Pooh is graphically rich but flawed - see our review for details).

 [For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Toddler Bundle (Pooh Toddler, Mickey Toddler, and Book of Pooh) at Amazon.com]  

Disney Learning Preschool includes Winnie the Pooh Preschool, Mickey Mouse Preschool (pictured at right), and Stanley Tiger Tales. All three titles are solid programs, but our favorites are WTP Preschool, which takes kids through most of the preschool basics (and even French/Spanish!) in a fun environment (younger preschoolers might need some direction, but it is worth the effort), and Stanley Wild for Sharks, with its playful adventure that offers sporadic and fun educational opportunities in a vibrant and exciting context. The latter stays true to the offbeat Playhouse Disney Stanley television series. Great value for the money with this bundle!

 [For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Disney Preschool Bundle (Pooh Pre-School, Mickey Pre-School, and Stanley Wild for Sharks) at Amazon.com]

Disney Learning Kindergarten bundles three previously released titles: Winnie the Pooh Kindergarten includes lessons in basic math, music composition, basic Spanish and/or French vocabulary, sentence structure, and more. Mickey Mouse Kindergarten is a cute program in which children follow Mickey Mouse who is acting as a reporter in the big city. Children work with patterning, telling time, early geometry, sentence structure, problem solving, and more. Although there is a distinct story line in the game, children essentially explore activities in a free-play format. The third CD-ROM is Disney’s Phonics Quest, pictured at left. This title presents a series of very sound educational activities that are multi-level and quite extensive, many of which are quite clever. The only down side of this program is that it quickly becomes repetitive and can easily tire children with short attention spans. As a whole, this bundle offers variety and plenty of skills practice for young children.

 [For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Kindergarten Bundle (Pooh Kindergarten, Mickey Kindergarten, and Phonics Quest) at Amazon.com]

Disney Learning 1^st & 2^nd Grade is an excellent bundle. Included in the bundle is Disney-Pixar Buzz Lightyear 1st Grade, an educational playground that addresses a variety of skills learned in first grade, and Disney’s Learning Adventure: Search for the Secret Keys—a little gem of a game that has kids helping Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and friends find keys so they can get themselves out of a haunted house. The twist here is that the games are really clever and the ghosts are not only friendly, they offer tutorials to kids who are struggling with an educational concept! Search for the Secret Keys made our Best Children's Software of 2002 list. The third title is Disney's Aladdin Reading Quest--excellent for developing early elementary reading skills. This bundle is highly recommended.

 [For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Disney's 1st & 2nd Grade Bundle (Pixar 1st Grade, Secret Keys, and Aladdin Reading Quest) at Amazon.com]  

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