ABCmouse.com

I think ABCmouse glorifies everything that is wrong with American educational philosophy. My kids only like it to collect tickets to buy things!

I could and should write an essay about why ABC is so problematic, but let me just say this: ignoring the troubling linking learning to capitalism, the software is boring, aiming towards the lowest possible denominator.

Starfall is much better. Worth every penny!

I looked into it, but it appears that there is a monthly charge for this. Check out starfall.com It seems to have a lot of the same stuff and it is free.

We used it when my daughter was 4 but she lost interest after that. I think it's good for 2-4. Now she does Starfall and abcya.com

I disagree.

I've had it since it's inception, and am a beta tester, which means I haven't had to pay for it in years. Even if I did, I'd pay. I got it when my 11 year old was 3 (?), and have since used it with my 9, 6 and 3 year old. Of course they want the tickets, many educational sites have a similar set up. The harder they work, the more they can earn, the more fun things they can buy. Kinda sounds like real life, no?

Kids bounce around from thing to thing, to much of one thing and they get bored, so switching it up can keep it entertaining. I use starfall.com, and readingeggs.com, to keep things fun and fresh.

Wow. I'm rather surprised at your responses. My daughter will be 5 in July. Last August I tried to enroll her in our local head start program and she was wait listed. I am a displaced worker and thought I would jump into getting her up to speed.
Wrong! Since I tried the ABCMouse.com free trial about two months ago she can write at least 20 more letters then she could before. I tried flashcards, puzzles, labeling things around the house, etc.
I think she just feels special that ABCMouse is hers and everyone else (including me) has their school.

We use it for our younger two kids (4yrs and toddler) while their big brother is doing school work. My daughter loved it for a little while, but her interest is fading with summer coming. ABCMouse is about $8 a month.

Time4learning is a great program too and more comprehensive, but it might be a little over the little ones head right now. Time4learning is K-8th grade.
Time4learning is $20 and month with a discount for additional children.

Starfall is partially free, but there is a charge for the full content.

When my son was 4,we got the game.He liked the game at first,then he stopped playing it.The high monthly fee for $8 just for a little kiddy game.Maybe if they made the game not as boring as it is now,i bet my kid would still be playing it.I don't think you should get that.Its a waste of money.its Also per month!And its a waste just in everything.Just teach your kiddys at home.Its free.And get more time with them.

Never heard of it! I'm kind of anti-computer during these years because they're going to be tech-dominated their whole lives. Then again that's just me.

My five year old daughter loves it. I enjoy that she's doing something productive rather than playing games. She gets on this site about 30 minutes two times a day and plays around or outside the house during the rest of the day. I love it.

I did the free 1 month trial and my 3.5 and 5.5 year olds loved it. It's around $10 a month after that but you can get the yearly or two years for almost half the price if you wait and 'cancel' your subscription.

I think it would be the perfect thing for your kids - assuming your 2 year old knows how to use the keyboard/mouse.

Have fun!