Is It Safe the Jump Start Website?

I signed up for it monthly. Everytime I think about cancelling it, they come up with new updates for their site and my girls LOVE it. So, I've been very happy with it since signing up about 4 months ago.

I have a 4 year old and we love jump start. We did the free option. We actually found out about it through the preschool games you can buy at the store that are made by jumpstart. Very age appropriate and educational.

Lisa

Hi M.,
Personally I think age 6 is way too young to be sitting in front of the computer- but if you can get something for "free" and restrict his time to no more than 1 hour a day it would probably be ok. I would want to be sure he did not "accidently" stumble on something you would not want him to see...........
\good luck and blessings

My girls just got the Jump Start first grade and love it.

Satah, mom to 6 yoG 5 yoG 4 yoG 2 yoG

Jump start is an educational website. Most retail stores carry this software that you can down load onto your computer. It teaches colors, shapes,letters, numbers and they do it in a way that it makes it fun for children to learn. They have levels by age group. This will make it a little challenging for those who do not know those skills and then you can go up. They even have grade level software. I have not been to the web site, but I think that you can get the games and activities that you would if you were to buy the software from the retail stores.
Good luck!
J.

These are much better and they are free and they will keep him going for a good session.

NickJr.com, (when you first sign on, you need to close the video portion that comes up bc it will advertise games that you have to pay for. I close that, then I click on games, and then I skip the ads on the next page and then my 6 yr is on her way, she will sit there for a good hour if I let her)

pbskids,org (so fun for them and very very safe)

starfall.com, (very educational and great for kindergartens and first graders)

Reggie Loves to Rhyme
www.teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bll/reggie/index.htm

Leo Loves to Spell
www.teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bll/leo/index.htm

Nina the Naming Newt
www.teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bll/nina

Clifford
www.teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/index.htm

More Clifford!
www.scholastic.com/clifford/read/roadtoreading/index.htm

Jump Start is a great series. We haven't been on their website, but we have several of their CD-ROM programs (Jump Start Pre-K, Artist, Typing, and a secret agent one that my 7yo son really likes). They're all educational, and you can choose some geared towards your son's capabilities.

Some other educational sites my kids like are poptropica.com, starfall.com, and pbskids.org.

My kids' favorite site that is not specifically educational is clubpenguin.com. There is also a chat function, but it is limited to certain phrases, and the parent has to approve for it be used. My son's two best friends are also on club penguin, and they love to get online and play virtual games together.

You've got some great suggestions here.
My kids loved Jump Start.
We have also used starfall.com
poptropica, and nickjr.com, and a new one I just found is fantage. fantage is not education based, but sometimes kids just want to have fun.

I think being cautious is just wonderful. I work with the elementary kids at school and you would be surprised how many have unmonitored and unlimited computer access.The internet can be a great tool, but can also cause great harm.
God Bless

Hi, the Jump Start website is VERY safe and perfect for little kids. I've used it for years with my kids and even bought all the CD games for them. They have varying levels corresponding to age. Even though I taught my kids to read, count, etc very young, it helped them later in school. I even had a 4 y/o I was babysitting that couldn't recognize any letters, etc. I put her on the computer and within 2 weeks she was reading on a 1st grade level. We didn't tell her Mom and surprised her one day. She was amazed and went out and bought the CDs.

I would let him on the website, monitor him as much as you can just to see if he's getting anything out of it and if so, sign up for the monthly membership if you can afford it. If not, go to any thrift store or used bookstore and get the CD's. You will NOT regret it.

As I have twin 4 yos and an 11yo I went ahead and checked out the website.

You sign up under the parent's name, meaning the parent retains control of the content to some degree...This is very important in young children.

When in the game the kids are only able to communicate with pre-programmed phrases and using faces and abilities to show their "jumpee"'s mood and or excitement....

These are all GOOD signs. It means that a predator is unable to sign in as a child and have inappropriate conversations with your son...

They ask for your child's name and age but guarantee that only your child and yourself will see their real name anywhere, and when you do it will be under account management. Elsewhere in the game they use the name they chose when they created their "jumpee". The names are all preprogrammed so there will be nothing innapropriate in choices.

I signed my kids up for the free version and it makes it clear to your children that certain options are only available with the monthly subscription. This can be annoying becuase if there is some option your child want to participate in, or get with the coins he earns and it's not available on the free version, you may hear your 6 yo asking you to upgrade quite a bit...

But all-in-all I found it to be an engaging and creative website for young children to safely spend time on the computer and learn a few things along the way...

Good Luck.. ;-)

The "Jump Start" website and software are both safe and educational.