Recommended software

Computer Classroom at Home KS1 Study Pack from Avanquest Software

Timmy Time for Nintendo DS

1001 Touch Games for Nintendo DS

Noddy in Toyland for Nintendo DS

Interactive Guitar Workshop from Avanquest Software

Musicalis Learn Guitar Workshop is your complete and comprehensive tool for learning to play the Guitar in an easy-to-understand format. Using the Musicalis method of teaching, which puts the student in charge of their own progress, this program offers an 'edutainment' method that helps you advance in your own time.

Whether you are a complete beginner or intermediate, this interactive, workshop led program will effectively help you to discover and refine new guitar playing techniques at your own pace.

Made up of three individual elements; Guitar Workshop, Bass Guitar Workshop and a reference CD to aid progressive learning, this program provides a complete solution for guitar playing enthusiasts.

 Interactive Piano Workshop from Avanquest Software

Learn Piano is your complete and comprehensive tool for learning to play the Piano in an easy-to-understand format. Using the Musicalis method of teaching, which puts the student in charge of their own progress, this program offers an 'edutainment' method that helps you advance in your own time. Complementing the structure of the Musicalis method of teaching is the impressive content designed by the famous French Pianist Jean-Marc Allerme.

Whether you are a complete beginner or intermediate, this interactive, workshop led program will effectively help you to discover and refine new Piano playing techniques at your own pace. With organised workshops that support incremental learning, this program provides a complete solution for Piano playing enthusiasts.

Intuitive in its approach, this learning program encompasses three individual elements, including Piano Workshop, Classical Piano Workshop and Ragtime Piano Workshop.

Family Tree Maker 2011 Deluxe from Avanquest Software

There is a huge interest in researching family history and this is just the program to help. It is user-friendly and it is easy to enter data. I liked the useful help boxes provided along the way. Created by Ancestry.co.uk this updated edition of an old favourite has over a hundred new features to help you discover your family's past. It includes chart creation and family tree creation supporting integration of photos, documents and video and audio files. In fact everything you need to precisely establish and record your ancestry! Included are three months of complementary access to www.ancestry.co.uk -  the UK's biggest online collection of genealogical resources. An excellent resource and a great way for the family to work together on a project. So often, people say they wish they had tapped into the knowledge of older family members before it was too late - so be stimulated to do so by this super program. Find out more on the Avanquest website.

 Ni Heo Kai-Lan - Great Trip to China

What a super way to introduce young children to the fascinating country that is China. This engrossing CD, presented by friendly Kai-Lan, covers many aspects of early learning, all set in China. Numeracy and literacy skills are included, as well as activities to extend cognitive abilities, physical development and creative skills. As well as all that, there is the opportunity to learn about the culture of China. Child-friendly graphics and simple to follow instructions make this ideal for children of 2+. All presented in an approachable and child-friendly way through seven interactive games, this would be both an excellent classroom resource and fun for home learning.

 Hallmark Card Studio Deluxe from Avanquest

Hallmark are well known as the producers of a huge range of printed cards, and now you can produce your own high quality cards at home. This is a lovely way to encourage creativity and produce a personalised product. There are thousands of cards and projects, so there is something to appeal to everyone and for every occasion. It is simple to use, although like most software, you will get far more out of it if you take the time to browse the many options on offer. As well as cards, you can create scrapbooks, invitations, photo cubes, gift boxes and much, much more - and you can incorporate your own photos. There are ranges to appeal to children, including Forever Friends. A really professional result will be obtained if you use top quality materials and I am sure you will get hours of pleasure out of this software. But beware - it can be addictive! Find out more here.

Go Diego Go: Great Dinosaur Rescue and Great Safari Rescue

Diego is the favourite action adventure hero among preschool boys. With 2 complete rescue missions, Go Diego Go! Great Dinosaur Rescue and Safari Rescue, children experience a magical and exciting adventure to Africa and the intriguing world of dinosaurs. Along with Diego, Juma, Baby Jaguar, and Alicia, children learn the fundamental skills of maths, reading, language, and science. Designed specifically for ages 2-5, Go Diego Go! Great Dinosaur Rescue and Safari Rescue teaches children early reading, counting, colours, shapes, music, creativity, memory, basic Spanish, and early computer/mouse skills. Go Diego Go is an excellent resource for pre-schoolers. They will learn so many key skills whilst having fun. The program is easy to navigate and, although children always enjoy (and need) parental input, it is simple for them to use on their own.

Please note that the version alongside is for the Mac. You can buy Diego Triple Pack; Include Diego's Dinosaur Rescue, Safari Rescue & Wolf Pup Rescue (PC)

Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom

Dora is hugely popular with pre-schoolers and their parents. All the programs help little ones with essential skills, such as colours, shapes, counting, early mouse skills and hand-eye coordination. In this program, help Dora to find the crystals before the Magic Kingdom loses its colour - the activities on the way will help children develop colour recognition skills, word skills and number skills whilst having great fun and gaining a sense of achievement when Dora fulfils her mission. The ability to set different skill levels means your child can enjoy this for several years. There are seven games to enjoy in this CD-ROM, which is easy for little ones to navigate and is set in a lovely, safe and colourful world. The prizes and awards along the way will help keep your child motivated  - although the program is so captivating, I don't think this will be necessary!

Dora's Lost and Found Adventure

This is deservedly an Amazon bestseller. The five games help pre-schoolers with key skills, just like the rest in the series, in a safe environment just perfect for 2 to 5 year olds. Language, problem solving, mouse skills and maths are some of the areas of learning stimulated in this excellent program. As your child works though the skill levels, s/he will feel a real sense of achievement and the ability to print (with the satisfaction of collecting stars to allow this) means lasting satisfaction and something to show for the work. So well-designed is this CD-ROM, that children learn a great deal while they think they are playing. It includes  2 exciting adventure games - The Nutty Forest and Super Swiper, which are great fun. I highly recommend Dora the Explorer for all pre-schoolers to give a good grounding ready for the start of school.

 Fireman Sam

Fireman Sam is such a favourite, it is great to see him featured in this Nintendo game. Join in the fun with Fireman Sam and friends exploring Pontypandy, packed full of entertaining games and activities including: Action Firefighters, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Penny’s Lifeboat Race, Patrol Sounds, Pontypandy Heroes, plus many more!15 exciting games and activities with 3 levels – easy, medium and hard to suit all ages. The medal reward system will keep young children motivated and the game encourages the development of memory, logic and problem solving skills.
Review from my 5 year old grandson Thank you for this super game for my Nintendo. I really enjoyed playing it. I loved the Musical games and the Memory games were fascinating. They taught me how to concentrate and to keep trying so that I could do them faster than my brother! I loved the ‘Spot the difference’ and was quick to find all six! The Dexterity games showed me how quickly the firemen had to be to move to all the sounds. The puzzle games were fascinating and I had to concentrate to do them quickly. I am looking forward to playing this again and to looking at all the levels. ‘
Review by 9 year old grandson This is a spectacular game for the Nintendo. I was delighted to see that it had six different games and each game had three individual levels. The sounds on the games were good and the graphics were colourful. I enjoyed Memory games and logic games. They helped me concentrate and to think quickly and accurately. The puzzle games were quite difficult and took me more time to master. I look forward to playing this game again. I will also ask for some more Fireman Sam games for a present.
Review by Grandmother! I gave this game to my grandsons at different times. The younger boy needed a little help with the Puzzle games but loved all the rest. I thought the variation in the selection of the games was excellent and the sound, graphics and characters would be appealing to boys. The game certainly held their attention and improved both their concentration spans and thinking skills. This is a fun and entertaining way to help improve dexterity, logic and stimulate children to learn.

Acorn Grow

Adiboo Presents Drawing is a drawing-based activity CD-ROM for four to seven year-olds. Children compose a story, draw and colour the scenes and add narration. They can add music and sound effects.

Art Attack is based on the award winning children's TV programme. It recreates the exciting ideas and visual excitement that have made Art Attack such a success and includes help from the presenter, Neil Buchanan. Children from 6 upwards will enjoy the ideas in this program.

Jungle animals are disappearing and a world famous scientist has suddenly vanished. Rain forest creatures fear that an ancient monster may have returned. Help the ClueFinders unravel this astonishing mystery! Helps with Maths,Language, Science, Geography and Problem Solving