B-Dag

JumpStart is one of the most recognizable children’s computer software series on the market. Those bright red and yellow boxes stand out perfectly on the shelves, and the variety of cartoon characters make the series as marketable as Spongebob. As opposed to that fine children’s show, though, JumpStart games do have the added benefit of teaching important educational skills.The JumpStart series was started in the mid-1990s, with the earliest products being released between 1994 and 1998. Starting in 2000, the games were upgraded to include new characters and extra bonus discs in each package. However, the series’ dedication to providing quality education along with compelling stories and bright graphics has not faltered.When choosing the right game for your child, you can pick between games based on age level or on specific subjects. Starting at the toddler level, the games grow and learn along with your child. Want your child to explore without having to worry? Simply pop in a disc and rest assured that your child is in good hands. A special bonus in the Preschool-2^nd Grade products is the All-Stars feature, which determines your child’s learning style based on a simple quiz. The age-based games go all the way up to 6^th grade.If you and your child would rather focus on a particular subject, you can select from a wide range of specialized titles. Many of them are self-explanatory, such as JumpStart Typing and JumpStart Phonics Read & Rhyme. JumpStart Explorers is a history-based game that also teaches skills like following directions, while JumpStart Artist focuses on creativity and art history.In recent years, JumpStart products have branched out from PC games to other media. There are a variety of workbooks available from Scholastic, and new DVD games provide yet another way to keep learning fun.