Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ogicse!ucsd!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!apollo!rehrauer
From: rehrauer@apollo.HP.COM (Steve Rehrauer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: software for kids
Message-ID: <49550e4b.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM>
Date: 21 Mar 90 20:31:00 GMT
References: <681@alpo.UUCP>
Sender: root@apollo.HP.COM
Reply-To: rehrauer@apollo.HP.COM (Steve Rehrauer)
Distribution: na
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Apollo Division - Chelmsford, MA
Lines: 28

In article <681@alpo.UUCP> toml@clara.UUCP (Tom Love) writes:
>my oldest boy (3 yrs 7 mos in age) just discovered that my ST is
>capable of fun things, as well as the boring stuff i usually do on it.
>specifically, we've been playing with a couple of PD arcade games, and
>a few rather abortive child-oriented PD/shareware applications.
>
>i am interested in any recommendations anyone may have for software
>for a child this age (or in the ages soon to come).

Hmmm, my son was about the same age when he became interested in my ST.
I found that he had the most fun using a paintware program called DEGAS.
(Not Elite; it's menus are too complex.)  Although he couldn't actually
read the menus, after a short time he could remember what buttons did
what, and muddle through the rest -- pattern fills, circle drawing, and
freehand doodling with fat brushes were just the cat's meow as far as
he was concerned.  I now think that sort of experimentation was probably
about the best way to introduce him to using a mouse, understanding
cause'n'effect of his actions on the computer, etc.  Much less restrictive
than software with notions of "correct responses".  You might consider
DEGAS or similar (now-considered-to-be) "primitive" paintware.

But please post a summary of any recommendations you get via email, as
my daughter is roughly at that age now, and I'd like to hear of any
highly recommended packages for kids.

--
>>"Aaiiyeeee!  Death from above!"<< | Steve Rehrauer, rehrauer@apollo.hp.com
   "Flee, lest we be trod upon!"    | The Apollo System Division of H.P.