Software and Games : Software Categories : Education & Reference : Key Stage 1 (Ages 5-7)

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Jump Ahead Year 2 Reading, Maths, Geography & more

Focus Multimedia Ltd

This is a very comprehensive, excellent software program for children in year two, aged six to seven years, which supports the National Curriculum and covers reading, maths, geography, history, the solar system, art and music.
The activities are not classroom based, as in the case of many other CD-ROMs in this range, but they are built around adventures that begin when school ends. CJ the Frog and his friend Newton begin a journey to their secret clubhouse. Your child can develop maths skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, money value, measuring and logic) while racing sharks and crossing dangerous rivers. Reading and comprehension skills are also covered, including spelling, parts of speech, nouns, verbs and adjectives, and the countries can be discovered while learning about the people and events in history. All activities are presented in a fun way and are offered at different levels with progress reports, assessments and a printable workbook included. There is also a pamphlet containing basic technical and installation information, which should be read before starting. --Susan Naylor
Bear & Penguin's Big Maths Adventure

Dorling Kindersley

Bear and Penguin's Big Maths Adventure is a fun and easy-to-use program designed to develop young children's addition and subtraction skills. This program would be excellent to use with 5-7 year olds.
There are five different games to choose from, all of them clearly explained so that children can develop their independence when using the computer. The games, which can be played at three different levels, have been carefully developed to practice the skills that children are learning as part of the numeracy hour in school. It is advised that the games are played in the numbered order so that there is a progression of skills development. The maths adventure involves, for example, filling in the missing numbers on the maths machine and painting a picture by answering addition and subtraction sums. After playing all of the games children are allowed to play the Super game which helps to consolidate the skills that they have been learning with mental arithmetic against the clock. Some more able children may find the maths a little easy, but for most children this would be an excellent way of developing and consolidating addition and subtraction to 20.
There is an excellent guide for parents which discusses the skills the games focus on. A range of very good worksheets can be printed out and used with children to consolidate the maths that they have been doing.
If children fancy a break from maths, there is also an excellent printing section where children can make their own stationary and create door signs, birthday cards, letterheads and invitations. This is a brilliant way to encourage children to write for a range of different purposes.
Bear and Penguin's Big Maths Adventure is another excellent Dorling Kindersley program and would be an excellent buy for parents or teachers to use with children aged 5-7 years. --Amanda York
Become A Human Body Explorer

Dorling Kindersley
Bear & Penguin's Big Reading Adventure

Dorling Kindersley

Bear and Penguin's Big Reading Adventure is another excellent program developed by Dorling Kindersley. It is aimed at children aged 5-7 years old and helps to develop a wide range of literacy skills through four fun games.
There are very clear instructions and each game is initially demonstrated, so children will quickly be able to develop confidence and independence. The games, which can be played at three different levels, have been carefully developed to practice the skills that children are learning as part of the literacy hour in school; for example, spelling words by choosing the missing sounds and putting words in the correct order to create a sentence. There are also two storybooks that children can choose to read together or alone. If children want a break from the games there is also an excellent printing section where children can make their own stationary and create lists, cards, writing paper and signs. This is a brilliant way to encourage children to write for a range of different purposes.
As children play the games they collect snowflakes and they are then rewarded with a sticker for their sticker album. When all the stickers have been collected they can print out a certificate and listen to the reward song.
There is an excellent guide for parents that discusses the skills the games are developing. The child profile shows parents how many times children have played each game and at what level and also suggests follow-on worksheets that can be printed out and used with children.
Bear and Penguin's Big Reading Adventure would be an excellent buy for parents or teachers to use with children aged 5-7 years. --Amanda York
Jump Ahead Year 1 Reading & Maths

Focus Multimedia Ltd

Jump Ahead Year One supports the National Curriculum for five to six-year-olds. The CD-ROM is another excellent program by Focus Multimedia in their "Children" series, "a range of educational entertainment that not only keeps the little ones quiet, but teaches them essential core skills and tentatively introduces them into the realms of computing."
Franky the Dog has been enlisted to help in the classroom, making recipes, serving up lunch, among other fun activities, all of which teach basic maths skills (addition and subtraction, simple fractions, telling the time, money value and quantities); reading skills (stories and poems, reading comprehension, vocabulary, rhyme, language skills and visual discrimination); and art and music (creativity, music and memory, listening to songs on the jukebox, basic composition skills and listening skills). All these activities are presented in a fun way and offer opportunities at different levels with progress reports, assessments and a printable workbook. There is also a pamphlet containing basic technical and installation information, which should be read before starting. This is an updated version of the award-winning original and is well worth investing in as it will occupy and educate children effortlessly. --Susan Naylor
Become A World Explorer

Dorling Kindersley
Learning Ladder: Years 1 & 2

Dorling Kindersley
I Love Maths!

Dorling Kindersley
Become A Science Explorer

Dorling Kindersley

Become a Science Explorer is another excellent CD-ROM from Dorling Kindersley aimed at children aged 6-10 years old. Children will love the challenge of going on a mission and trying to become a Science Explorer.
Fizz, the helpful ball of energy, guides children around the different environments where children can carry out activities, answer questions or look at information screens. The graphics are excellent and there is a wealth of scientific information for children to find out in a variety of interesting ways. Children's learning is also cleverly extended when they're given further explanations once they have answered a question.
Children are rewarded with prizes, badges, stickers, rosettes, medals and the ultimate prize of becoming a Science Explorer. They can use their Science Workbook to make scientific observations, answer questions and collect stickers--guaranteed to turn any child into a budding scientist.
There is a range of science experiments that can be printed out and undertaken. These would be ideal for parents to go through with younger children using the comprehensive parents' guide. There are also some very good worksheets, which would help to consolidate children's learning.
Become a Science Explorer is a fantastic CD-ROM that really supports the science curriculum in schools. This would be an excellent buy for parents or teachers of children aged 6-10 years old. --Amanda York
Full Marks Keystage 1 Six Pack (PC)

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Top of the Class Key Stage 1

Avanquest Software
Britannica Key Stage 1: English (5 to 7 Years) (PC)

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Reader Rabbit Triple Pack - Maths/Reading/Thinking 4 - 6 years

Mindscape
I Love Spelling!

Dorling Kindersley
Britannica Key Stage 1: Maths (5 to 7 Years) (PC)

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3D World Atlas

Dorling Kindersley

Travel has never been more popular. Yet no matter how many footloose gap-year students stream to the corners of the globe, armchair travel probably remains almost as popular. Dorling Kindersley's 3D World Atlas is a new CD-ROM package firmly in the armchair bracket, giving in-depth coverage of every country in the world--from maps, through demographic statistics to information on geographical phenomena. Why move from the sofa when you can (virtually) experience the world in your living room?
3D World Atlas includes the range of features you would expect from a printed atlas and more. The general world maps are set to an optimal scale, allowing different levels of focus, and there are also the physical maps to view. However, the most striking aspect of this package is its unusual features, particularly those that come from space.
The two satellite image-projections of the earth are revealing. First comes the ordinary view of the earth's physical features from the heavens--yes, you really can pick out the Great Wall of China--and then an image of the earth by night, showing all the lights around the world: it's a sparkly and revealing picture of the spread of economic development across the planet. Add to this brilliant photography of deserts, mountains and jungles in the bio-climate zones and the package transcends the limitations of traditional atlases. --Toby Green
Spanish Lessons for Kids

Avanquest Software
Speaking for Myself PLUS - HOME EDITION

Topologika Software Ltd
Become A History Explorer

Dorling Kindersley
Full Marks Keystage 1 Phonic Spelling

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