Rating: 
Summary: Nice activities but confusing and a bit hard....
Review: As a teacher I know there are a lot of programs for kids that aren't very helpful. I think this series has good ideas and my 3 year old enjoys playing but I find the replay unbearable. I think some of the activities are too hard for the average 3-4 year old. My son enjoys the graphics like the train, but he has no idea about some of the activities. I think this will be more helpful to him in a year or so. I cannot believe the age range of 2-4. If you can get this discounted,... do it. Otherwise, don't pay much more. Also the other cd, with the travel agency, seems to glitch up. It is really not necessary. Get the basic version. Deluxe it is not!
Rating: 
Summary: Disagree with "Lost It!"
Review: I completely disagree with the "Lost It" review. Yes, rewards are given on this game... but, they are not the main focus. Don't let the one star review from this shopper discourage you. The skills covered in this game are extensive and age-appropriate. As a first grade teacher, my students use the Jumpstart First Grade program weekly (lines up perfectly with the first grade curriculum/standards). And, my two-year-old LOVES the Jumpstart Preschool cd-rom. The rewards are simply a tool used to help parents and teachers assess what skills have been mastered and where there are weaknesses. Five stars all the way...
Rating:
Summary: Great Intro to computer games for young kids
Review: I don't understand the complaints voiced by other reviewers. This is a great first intro to computer games for young kids. It has games that focus on very elementary skills, such as moving the mouse around--one game involves moving a wagon side to side with the mouse to catch balls that are rolled very slowly down an alley (you are instructed to catch only balls of a certain color). Other games involve counting or recognizing shapes and colors: one game involves cleaning up blocks by, e.g., putting the blue square blocks in one container and the green triangles in another; another game involves counting out a specified number of food items in response to a chef's request for "five bananas", and so forth. My daughter loved this CD when she first experienced it at 2 and 1/2. Within 3 months of playing with our assistance, she can play all the games by herself, and she loves the reward of a train ride after completing four games successfully. There are very few games out there that a 2-year-old can master, and this was a very good investment for us. I agree, however, that the added "travel agency" disc is a throwaway.
Rating: 
Summary: Bought it. "Lost" it.
Review: I got JumpStart Preschool, because my son really enjoyed the Pooh Toddler game. Ugh!The JumpStart series is totally rewards based. How many Preschoolers do you know who need a reward for playing a computer game? At this age, the fun of exploring and learning are motivation enough to keep the child interested in the game. The "rewards" detract from the experience, focusing the child on "earning" another train ride, rather than on the task they are trying to master. The game also discourages creativity, with rigid requirements to earn each "train ticket." This one is definitely not a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: do not get this software!
Review: I got this CD for my daughter when she turned 2 1/2. Now she is three and still frustrated! The instructions are hard to understand, most of the time the characters just stand there, expecting the child to guess what needs to be done next. The games are boring and discouraging. Don't waste your money!
Rating:
Summary: My daughter's view
Review: I purchased this for my 3 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. The skill level automatically upgrades (and downgrades) as they do very well... or poorly. There is also the opportunity to 'test' your child's knowledge level and set the skill level according to the results. My daughter has learned sequences of the alphabet - at any given point and her hand-eye coordination has greatly improved!
Rating:
Summary: Great for younger kids
Review: My 3 year old LOVES this software and can play most of the games without any adult help, which is a big help to me. All of the games are educational with cute characters and catchy songs. She sings the songs from the reward train trips all day long. It's also great because it "remembers" the child's skill level and begins to make it harder as they improve. If they get stuck, it offers help to remind them "which letter comes next" or "how many". The animation, music, and songs are great. I would definitely recommend this for 3 or 4 year olds.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: My 3 year old LOVES this software and can play most of the games without any adult help, which is a big help to me. All of the games are educational with cute characters and catchy songs. She sings the songs from the reward train trips all day long. It's also great because it "remembers" the child's skill level and begins to make it harder as they improve. If they get stuck, it offers help to remind them "which letter comes next" or "how many". The animation, music, and songs are great. I would definitely recommend this for 3 or 4 year olds.
Rating:
Summary: Best young kids' software I have found
Review: My 4 year old starting playing this when he was 2 1/2 and still plays it. It is easy to understand and has areas that even the youngest beginners can understand, and as the game get more difficult it is great for older players as well. It has consistent instructions and buttons, so he could play independently without constantly calling me over to help him as he does with other software. It has grown with him and now his 2 1/2 year old brother is starting to play it and loves it. I recommend this package to any parent who is looking to start their child on computer software. In fact, I am writing this review because I am in the process of buying Jumpstart Preschool for my niece who is about to turn two.
Rating:
Summary: Great for younger kids
Review: My daughters (2+9mos and 3+9mos years old) play these games for hours on end. The littler one has now developed the fine motor control needed to use the mouse so it's perfect for her. The 3+ year-old loves it but even on the highest level all of the games are much too easy. I am surprised how the girls both love the reward system in the game- 4 correct games gets you 4 train tickets and a ride on the train, and a stamp in your "passport". The kids both try hard to win train rides.
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