Around our house, everyone knows of Spot and all of his animal friends. My husband and I use the computer quite often and decided to incorporate the computer into our 2 year old daughter's life. We feel that learning to use a computer at even a young age can be beneficial.

We chose the CD-ROM "Spot and his Friends" after seeing it at Toys R Us on sale for $12.99 (regularly priced at $14.99). Since our daughter has several of the videos, we thought she would enjoy interacting with Spot on the computer.

The CD catches her attention from the beginning. Visual graphics are great and the music is enjoyable. On this CD-ROM there are 4 stories that you can interact with. These stories coincide with the videos available, most of which we already own. The stories included in this CD are:


1) Spot Goes to a Party
2) Spot Goes to the Farm
3) Spot Goes to the Carnival
4) Spot Goes to the Beach


"Home base" as I like to call it is Spot's Backyard. The CD begins in the back yard and from there, your child can click on a picture that will bring him/her to a new story. This place can be easily reached at any time by pressing the space bar. Then your child can begin with a new story. To interact with the story "Spot Goes to the Farm" you would click on the picture of the Bird. To bring up the story of "Spot Goes to the Carnival" click on the Balloon. There are also 2 other pictures, one of an envelope for "Spot Goes to a Party" and a sandbox for "Spot Goes to the Beach". These icons will help even small children associate the pictures with different stories.


How to move through a story with ease:

There are different icons you and your child should become familiar seeing and using. During the different activities to participate in, an icon of a cloud, butterfly or paper may appear on the screen. The cloud can be clicked on and then used to "erase" an object you are designing. The paper icon is used to print out and save anything that your child has created. The butterfly is clicked on when your child is done with an activity.

To move forward through a story you simply place your cursor to the upper right of the screen. This will advance you forward. To return to a previously viewed screen, place the cursor in the upper left hand corner. Remember any time your child wants to return to Spot's Backyard, they should press the space bar.

Hasbro has a terrific Interactive Web Site that will help you get technical support and information on the CD-ROM you are using if you need it. Their web site is:

http://www.hasbro-interactive.com

Our daughter loves playing with Spot and his good friends Steve and Helen. This interactive CD-ROM has entertained her and kept her attention span time and time again. She uses this game with supervision and since she is just under 2 years of age, I help her click her way through the stories. I know that as she gets older she will be able to move through the stories and interact on her own with ease. She enjoys this CD-ROM and I have to admit, mom and dad enjoy it too!



Recommended: Yes