The Little Box from JumpStart

If you returned after reading yesterday's post, then you know that I left you all hanging on what the contents of the third box from Knowledge Adventure are. For those who don't know, Knowledge Adventure produces wonderful children's computer learning games through the name Jump Start. We've had their CD-Roms around for over a decade now.. the kids have always loved them.

A couple of months ago they came out with their very first ever title for Wii.. "Pet Rescue" for ages 3-6. Knowledge Adventure provided us with a copy, and we got a chance to review it. The kids loved the idea of it, but it was a little basic for them.. after all, they are 6 and 9.  Although there are spaces for different family members to have their own characters, the boys were disappointed that they could not play together. Little A really liked being able to take care of his pet and exploring the game. They both got the hang of using the Wii remotes with the game very quickly.

Over all, the boys decided that they would recommend Jump Start "Pet Rescue" for Wii for younger children.. "It would be fantastic for them!"

We had been asked to review the second Wii title that is due to be released November 17th. This title is designed for 5-9 year olds. Sounds more in our age range.. OF COURSE I SAID YES! We hadn't been expecting it to come so soon.. but there it was, the third box. When we opened it we were greeted by Frankie flying high above punk punks with the enticing words, "Escape From Adventure Island".. a cover I remember voting on a while back on their blog. I have to say it.. I love the case. It is very child friendly and enticing, and lists the skills us parents look for neatly in a corner of the back.

This time the boys very quickly cleaned up what they had been doing. Next thing I know, Little A is in front of me holding the case and jumping up and down. "Can I play it now Mom?! PLEASE!!!!"

Thanks to @growlersworld for providing the video!

Thanks to Knowledge Adventure for providing the copy of "Escape From Adventure Island"

A Monday full of boxes..

Monday was a huge day for us! We had been expecting a small delivery from "the big, brown truck" with a new video card to replace the one I fried this summer. I thought the boys would be excited about that.. it was their computer after all. But in the interim, a new computer entered the house for @Cam_Anju and the boys got her old one. Result.. great mom, I'm going to play on the computer... Newer, faster technology didn't even spark their interest.. hmmm.

Back to the story.. instead of one box, we got three. Three? Hmmm.. the second one we were expecting later that week.. but a third box?! 

The second box contained a birthday present from my boyfriend. I knew what it was.. I ordered it. But there it was, nine days early, sitting on the living room floor.. begging to be opened. I finally opened it that evening.. a brand new laptop with Windows 7 on it. It is my first laptop.. and after a few days, I am wondering if I need my desktop anymore.. hmmm. I am also happy to say that so far I am loving Windows 7.. might just upgrade the entire house to it in time with that nifty family bundle upgrade price Microsoft is offering.. hmmm.

The third box? Oh yeah.. that one.. the return label showed Knowledge Adventure.. come back tomorrow to find out what was inside..

Modeling Instead of Teaching

This all started because of a tweet.. "The best thing you can teach your children is to have a love for learning."

Not a bad thought, until it was rightly pointed out that all children are born with a love for learning. I know that.. I teach that to others!

Okay, so I reworded it to better reflect what I meant. "The best thing you can model for your child is YOUR love of learning." That's better. Since when has anyone ever forced MEANINGFUL learning on another? And teaching to a non receptive crowd qualifies as forced learning in my book... 

What I mean is this.. if you give a child the tools to learn, if you teach them how to use those tools, if you allow them to follow their passions, AND if you let them SEE YOU LEARNING (or model your love for learning), they will succeed in life. They will succeed at anything their heart desires because they will know how to.