Childsplayby SchoolForge updated November 9, 2011
Childsplay is a suite of educational games for young children, like gcompris.

Software Details

Childsplay is a suite of educational games for young children, like gcompris. Childsplay uses a plugin system for the games, so you might want to check the Childsplay plugins page. (There are two built-in games: memory and a typing game.)

Requirements

Operating systems: GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, BSD, Windows (including XP), Windows 9x (including 98/ME/2K)
Screen libraries: SDL, GTK+
Dependencies: Python

Reviews

3
Childsplay offers a basic
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Childsplay offers a basic memory with cards type of game with 6 different levels of difficulty. You can play using different pictures, letters (upper and lowercase), numbers or even sounds which is good for younger learners. In addition to memory there are activities designed to help improve computer mouse using skills, listening skills and picture puzzle building/sorting. There are basic flashcards and games like pong, pacman and billiards. This suite is designed to provide foundational support and practice for preschool and early elementary level students in developing working memory, picture identification and manipulation, as well as letter, number and sound recognition. I can see it being used as an occasional activity or game for students to play but not as a stand alone learning center.

Childsplay Review
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

This software is for elementary aged kids. There is a collection of educational games for young children I would say up to 2nd or 3rd grade. There’s some math fact speed games that would be good for third graders. The language Arts games are manly for young children probably up to 1st grade. It focused on sounds, memory, and letters. I’m giving it 4 stars because it didn’t have any games for 5th graders and that’s what I teach. I wish it had some harder math games. There was also a pong type of game that wasn’t educational at all so I thought it was a bit random. Other than that it has wonderful interactive sounds and pictures that young kids would love.

Childsplay offers a bank of
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Childsplay offers a bank of 14 different game that help young students (Pre-1) learn their letters and sounds. The games range from memory games to games that also work on mouse and keyboarding skills.

I gave it 3 stars because I found that the interface was a bit dated looking and felt that students would get bored with the basic interface. I am a computer teacher and I have heard young students say negative things about games/activities that look less dated than this. Also, most games can only go to a max of 6 levels so it doesn't offer students a ton of practice on their skills either. Students also have the opportunity to manually move themselves to a higher level without passing the earlier levels so I can see students just clicking through to be done.

One nice feature is that students do have to use a login and the software tracks their progress as their move through each game. For a struggling student, this could be a really great motivator to show them how they have progressed after using the software.