Has your child ever ruined your plans because they got themselves in a pickle? That’s exactly what happened to my son and it’s why our review of Jump Start World for PBN will be short and a little lacking in the age-appropriate input. Unfortunately, since he’s grounded, my son hasn’t had a chance to play with the new Jump Start World 2nd Grade edition, so you’ll just have to settle for my initial thoughts: which are based almost entirely on my previously awesome experiences with Knowledge Adventure’s Jump Start games.
I became familiar with the Jump Start games when my son was a toddler. I wanted him to play computer games that would be both fun and educational (even if he didn’t realize the “educational” part that got slipped in under his nose…) We started with one Jump Start program (Jump Start Advanced Preschool) and ended up owning/playing at least a half-dozen more. Score one for Mommy (and Jump Start!)
As my son gets older it seems to make sense (and be familiar, safe, effective, fun and a whole host of other applicable reasons) to go with what works, and offer him the opportunity to experience the new Jump Start World. I know that he’ll play it, just as sure as I am he’ll learn from it and that it’ll grow with him. How do I know this? Well, because that’s what the Jump Start games have always done - so I expect that this one will, too.
Here’s the part where I remind you that my son still hasn’t gotten to play Jump Start World, which is such a bummer (for both of us). But, wanna hear something cool, though? He’s been looking longingly at (and pointing out, talking about, and making plans to play) the Jump Start World CD/case since it first arrived. Yes, my son knows a good thing when he sees it. In fact, when he took his first glimpse at the Jump Start World game’s cover, and for at least a week solid thereafter, he bugged me nonstop to install it (and then, in desperation, he finally made me the post-it note that says “Remember to install my computer program,” exclamation point! and stuck it on my monitor) until I finally gave in and did - even though I had to tell him it didn’t matter that it was installed, he was still grounded.
DOH!
While it’s only a matter of time until I can quantify exactly how big of a hit (huge? colossal? gianormous?) the Jump Start World 2nd Grade edition will be in our house, I do know one thing for certain: it will be a success. I have no doubt!
2007/12/03 12:51
I’m still bummed that he hasn’t gotten a chance to check it out yet, but thank you for such a great review! Here’s hoping holiday break will give him some playing time.
2007/12/04 8:46
You’re welcome for the review :) And, yes, lets hope the holidays will give him some time to enjoy it, too!!! *crosses fingers*
2007/12/11 5:06
[...] One blogger’s child didn’t get the opportunity to play (stinks to be grounded when mom’s got a great computer game), but she did say she’s looking forward to enjoying the game with her son. [...]