Muppet Sound Patterns: More Phonics & Thinking Skills
Reviewed by Cynthia A. Sorrels
Published by Brighter Child

Age Group: Age 2 to 5, Age 4 to 8 Type: Language Arts, Puzzles & Memory Price: 19.95

Description:

Jim Henson Interactive presents a set of programs that will help your child with phonics and thinking skills. The Muppets are always innovative and entertaining for children; this product is no exception. The documentation recommends beginning with Thinking Skills, then progressing to Sound Patterns.

Thinking Skills is a collection of 20 games that introduce prediction, drawing conclusions and making associations. Creative problem solving skills are developed through working with these open-ended activities. The games include practice with sorting objects, sequencing and organizing information.

Sound Patterns presents a series of 20 games designed to teach phonics, step by step, to pre-schoolers through Kindergarteners. Several reviews are included so that you can be sure the child understands important concepts before moving on. The only real criticism here is that there are only two choices for each question and too often the first choice presented is the correct one. Children sometimes just click on the first option without truly thinking. These games also henhance a child's general knowledge by presenting items to be named. The directions for each game are read aloud, which is helpful.

Correct answers are greeted with a smile, nod or other encouragement from the Muppet characters. Incorrect responses result in a "wah-wah-wah-wah" sound wave but the characters continue to smile.

Technical Notes

These programs can be installed to a Program Manager group using the installation program included in the package or it can be run directly from the CD-ROM. Be sure your video display is properly set to 640x480x256 so the pages fill up the display screen.

The menu at the bottom of the page offers several options, including the Contents page. It's also nice to be able to go to the Previous or Next activity without exiting each time.

Features

A Windows-compatible sound card is highly recommended to enjoy all the features of these programs, however it is not required. A sound card enables the program to read directions out loud, hear letter sounds orobject names. Some music incorporated into the programs would be nice but it simply isn't offered.

The graphics in these programs are bright and entertaining. The options are clearly presented. The screen is not overly cluttered and the illustrations are nicely done.

Thinking Skills and Sound Patterns are designed to assist children with beginning reading skills. They hold a child's interest and help to foster a love of reading and writing.

American Education Publishing's Customer Service department can be reached at 1-800-542-7833. Jim Henson's Muppet(TM)/Brighter Child(TM) Software is a high quality product your children will enjoy for several years to come!

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