There are many excellent CD-ROMs which helps young children build essential learning skills and gives them a head start in school while having endless hours of learning fun!  I particularly like the Jump Start programs by Knowledge Adventure, Inc., considered by many as the #1 educational software for pre-school and young school-aged children.    

 

I personally began using Jump Start programs when my daughter was a very young toddler with their Jump Start Advanced Toddlers program; we then progressed to their program for preschool children, followed by their Advanced Kindergarten program.  These educational CD-ROMs helped in determining my child's natural learning style, while automatically adjusting to her skill level as she advanced through the different programs.  There are numerous age-appropriate fun activities to hold the child's interest while skills are taught in reading, math, spelling, science, music, art, as well as helping the child to develop critical thinking skills.  As an added bonus, I found that my daughter developed remarkable computer skills by the time she had entered kindergarten.  

 

I also find The Learning Company's Reader Rabbit and Adventure Workshop programs of immense value.  My daughter's math skills have developed way beyond her grade level, which I attribute to her use of their ClueFinders Mystery of the Monkey Kingdom "game".....and she never realized that she was developing strong analytical skills while finding solutions to mathematical problems....just playing a game and having lots of fun!

 

Only problem I personally have with these educational games is trying to get my daughter to spend time away from the computer for some physical activities; she would spend hour-after-hour, day-after-day, "playing games" if I  allow her.

 

I highly recommend the use of educational CD-ROMs and these remarkable programs for endless hours of fun while preparing the child for a lifetime of learning!