In JumpStart Spanish, children, ages 3-6, join Mr. Hopsalot from JumpStart Kindergarten on a special visit to his clubhouse, high atop a large oak tree. When kids arrive in the tree house, they realize Mr. Hopsalot's affinity for the Spanish language and its cultures. As they explore the many items Mr. Hopsalot has in his hangout, children are exposed to Spanish and English translations of common words and phrases and learn about Spanish culture in a fun and educational way. The product also includes a toggle that allows Spanish-speaking families to use JumpStart Spanish to introduce their child to the English language.
If exposing your little ones to beginning Spanish is the point, this is a good starting point. Using JumpStart-type animations and activities to deliver the goods, this preschool software introduces the most basic of Spanish words and phrases, as well as a little of Spanish culture and music. From Mr. Hopsalot's tree-top clubhouse, kids click on various objects to visit activities that instruct by written word and pronunciation. Go into the doll house kitchen, for instance, and it enlarges into a fully equipped kitchen where clicking on any item pronounces its name in Spanish and displays the word. Besides the various rooms of the house, other options include exploring the neighborhood, colors, numbers and counting, clothing, and music. All are instantly translated, though parents need to encourage children to repeat the words they hear and re-click until they get them right. Phrase work includes the basics, such as "What is your name?" and "How are you today?" Once through the explore mode, kids can switch to the game mode where they're tested in fun fashion on what they're learning. Another plus is that this program can be used to introduce English as a second language: Choose to learn English or Spanish from the outset and choose the instruction in English, Spanish, German or French! (Don Oldenburg, Parents' Choice®) -- From