Well it has officially happened: school is out for summer! Time to get the kids involved with as much stuff as possible so they don’t drive you crazy with: “I’m sooooo bored!” I can hear it already! I know that summer time is supposed to be spent out doors in the sun and on the shore, in the parks and the pools andon vacations, but what about those days that it’s raining or the sun is just too brutal to contend with? What then? I am frustrated just thinking about it! Yes, there is always the Nintendo DS or whatever game system you have for your children, there is always the board games (a very good choice) and the arts and crafts (another favorite of mine) but we all know that kids get bored easily and you will need as many tricks up your sleeves as you can get. Do you prefer something more educational to keep their brains sharp? I have used educational computer software with my son since he was 2 and I have to say–it has served him well in school. The skills he learned as we played together were all addressed in the classroom setting and having prior knowledge of all of these skills helped my son to do well when they were actually addressed in school. I feel it is important to keep them linked to educational stimulation throughout the Summer months to keep those skills fresh, but it is hard to convince them to sit down and read a book and write about it. It is easy, however, to let them play computer games that are both fun and educational. That is why I have been a long time fan of the Jumpstart CDs. We have been using Jumpstart programs since my oldest son was 3. We started with the pre-k CD Rom andhave worked our way up to first grade–he’ is ready for second grade now. Feeling strongly about sharing this outstanding and award winning company’s products with you, I decided to ask JumpStart if they would allow me to review their CDs and if they would possibly give away a CD to a reader. They were thrilled with the idea! In fact, they actually wanted me to review their new program instead: Jumpstart.com, and are offering one lucky reader a 3 month subscription to the website–That is enough to get us through the summer! AWESOME!
The Jumpstartpeople were kind enough to offer me a free subscription for three months to test out the site and I have been using it withthe boys for about a month now. THEY LOVE IT! It is very much like the CDs we have been using so getting started in the virtual world was so easy for us. In fact, once I logged us onto the site with a username and a password, my 6 year old just JUMPED right on and set up his “Jumpee” character. He chose the facial features, hair color and style, and of course the clothing that he wanted his character to wear. Later when it was time to switch, my 6 year old helped the 4 year old to set up his own “jumpee” too. I like that each of your children are able to set up their own character and that their work and travels are saved separately. I don’t have to worry about the little one losing any of the older ones progress, or collected items. Oh the fights that would ensue if any of their work was lost!
So what is Jumpstart.com?
JumpStart is an award winning adventure-filled 3-D virtual world that takes your kids on awesome adventures through different lands. In order to get from place to place your child will have to problem solve their way to the next adventure. JumpStart teaches math, reading and critical thinking skills and does so in a safe, fun, and interactive on line setting. The kids are asked to answer questions, make decisions, FOLLOW DIRECTIONS (my favorite part because it improves their listening skills!) and even teaches responsiblity as they take on a pet and must care for it. The games are designed for 3-10 year olds, and at times they may need your help to answer questions (my four year old doesn’t do very well with some of the more advanced tasks, but I am always on hand to help him if he gets frustrated) but I think its really important that he be exposed to these things early and we work through it. Basically the game is broken up this way: The first area is called Storyland which is aimed at 3-5 year olds, the second area is called AdventureLand which is for kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade and soon they will launch a third world called Future Land for kids from 3rd to 5th grade.
Here are a few screen shots of the game in progress:
A Place Called Lost Island
This is a screen shot of the first step to creating your child’s online character known as a “Jumpee”
You can choose different worlds depending on your childs age but I usually let them go wherever they want to and just help them through the harder tasks
Here is a learning game
Your child can jump, slide, run, swim, drive, collect treasure, play ball with a pet, shop for items, go on scavenger hunts, deep sea dive—if you can imagine it, they will probably do it in this game. My boys love it! I love the fact that they have to use deductive reasoning skills, math and reading skills and listening skills to complete many of the tasks. I also love that there is NO violence, no rude language, and nothing aggressive to be found in this game. Just safe educational fun.
Another great aspect of the Jumpstart.com site is that it keeps you (the parent) up to date with what your children are learning. There is a blog and I receive monthly newsletters about what is going on PLUS ways I can further the learning process withmy children at home. They whole site is set up to be both kid and parent-friendly. If parents should need any tips on any part of the game they can search for the answer to their question on the JumpStart Discussion Boards. It is on this forum that you can locate great info from the staff. We haven’t needed help yet, but it is good to know it is there if we need it. We really haven’t needed it because the characters lead you through the adventures, they tell your children where to go, what to collect and who or where to bring the items. I really can’t say enough about the ease of use of the site for both parents and kids.
If you want to keep your kids sharp this summer but weren’t sure how to keep their heads in the educational game, you should consider checking out JumpStart for yourself. Jumpstart offers free limited access so you can try it out before purchasing an unlimited version. If you decide that you love the games and all that the site has to offer, you can upgrade to a JumpStart Membership which will offer you unlimited access to over sixty skills and hundreds of customizable games for the low price of only $7.99 per month. Go to Jumpstart.com to learn more!
Now, I told you that Jumpstart.com was offering a great giveaway of a three month trial subscription of their unlimited package, SO….Who wants to win it? One lucky reader will win this one so be sure to enter all of the comments you are entitled to!
To Enter all you need to do is leave a comment telling me ONE reason why you would like to win this special subscription! You may enter as many times as you would like but please leave only one comment per day!
Extra Entries– Leave two extra entries each for any of the following: if you are a subscriber to becausemomsaidso.com, are a fan on facebook, blog about this giveaway (leave the permalink in the comment please), tweet, or twitter mom it (leave me your twitter / twitter mom name) and of course two extra comments if you have my button–make sure you remind me where I can find the button.
I know you are going to love the unlimited package for Jumpstart.com but winning the three month unlimited package will be awesome too! Good Luck to all that enter. The giveaway winner will be chosen at random using random.org. The comments section will close at midnight on July 18th! Remember you can leave one additional comment each day!
Blessings in Abundance,
Cheryl
Some one will soon be smiling because I am about to announce the winner of the Friday’s Child gift certificate! So here it is, I know a lot of you were drooling over this one and I can hardly stand it that I only have one gift card to give away, but alas there really can only be one true winner….. and that winner is: CANDACE! Congratulations Candace! Comment #14 came up as the winning comment and you were the lucky gal who left it soooooooo YOU WIN! Your next step is to contact me at cheryl@becausemomsaidso.com and provide me with your email and mailing address so I can have Friday’s Child get in touch with you. You have until Tuesday July 7th to contact me. In the event that you don’t contact me by this date I will have to choose an alternate winner. =( So don’t delay, contact me today. Congratulations again!
Miminko Onesies – http://becausemomsaidso.com/miminko-apparel-review-and-giveaway/
http://becausemomsaidso.com/jumpstartcom-review-and-giveaway/
Noah’s Ark Stuffable Plush Bunny Bear – 
Jenni Hess’s Book Deadline is tonight at midnight! Such a cute book you will definitely want to win this one ! The rest are all ending this week too. Click on the appropriate links to enter:
