Computer Fun For Your Toddler

I recently had the chance to try out the Easy PC Learning System from Comfy. Well, my nearly 3-yo daughter did actually. The system includes a plug-n-play keyboard designed with colorful buttons and a phone. Just plug it into a USB port, install the software, and your child is ready to play on her own computer. Here is a description of the system from their web site:

The Easy PC System has been designed with toddlers in mind, and fits their motor and cognitive skills. The System allows young children to enjoy and learn from various activities, without requiring reading skills or the ability to use a computer mouse. Children progress at their own pace according to their own level, interest and growth.

The web site includes a useful software finder to help you pick a CD appropriate for your child’s developmental stage. I highly recommend this because I’ve found the recommended age ranges on the CD’s to be a bit off. My daughter (who will be 3 in September) was not challenged by the “World of Colors” CD, classified as “beginner 3-5 years.” But she was not bored either.

The games are truly interactive, asking your child to talk to the characters, call someone on the phone, identify and match colors and shapes, and even help the characters with problem solving.

The characters in the software are adorable, but - warning to parents - their voices are pretty annoying. Some of the segments carry some questionable conversation. For example, in the “World of Colors” CD (my least favorite), the sun and moon are covered with clouds and have a conversation that goes something like this:

Sun: “You turned on the night?”
Moon: “No! You turned on the day!”
Sun: “Where are you? That’s not fair!”

In the same software, the dog loses his bone and begins to cry “I’ll never be happy again! Never, never, NEVER!!” A day or two of playing that CD and my daughter was wandering around the house saying “I’ll never be happy AGAIN!” Um…

Our favorite CD was the “My Home” software. My daughter loved watching little Dee Dee wash her body parts and was singing along within a few minutes.

The Easy PC Learning System is reasonably priced for a toy that will grow with your babies through their preschool days. I give it a thumbs up.