Online Learning Games

the power of music in online learning games

Did you ever notice yourself humming the melody of an online learning game?

I did after listening my boys playing magic manson on the cbc site. I even tought about to record the soundtrack and put it on my mobile phone.

So all the parents with kids playing this game would recognize me. We could start sort of a music club then, singing the melodies of our favored soundtrack. Next step would be a musical, staring the only legs lady, the flying bombs etc. Some dads could perform the melody as a heavy metal version, later on, when reason slides, we could switch to a country and western version. Or put the melody on the alarm clock, and program the cars horn with it. Yes I think its time for the tablets or better a nice meditation.

Invest carefully in online education

Lots of companies try to make money with the hopes and fears of parents. Don´t get trapped. Your son or daughter doesn´t need to play online learning games all day in order to speak perfect spanish or mandarain, by the age of eight.

Also there are not so many second mozarts out there. Your kid will learn what it needs, one way or the other. And maybe thats not violin or java programming. No problem.

It may sound bland to you, but time, trust and love is the best investment in the future of your loved ones. Lets not forget that, next time we stumble across another magic online learning game. Maybe its not for free. And maybe it doesn`t help and is no fun to play.

Online learning games for the early days

I have found a very well done online learning games page for smaller kids: Poisonrouge All the games are available in english, french and spanish, focusing on letters, numbers and mouse control.

The site seems to be online since ages, which means since 2005, but I never heard about it. A pity, I hope our small son is not already to spoiled to like it.

Anyway, good things never grow out of age. Enjoy and be a kid again.

Update: My kids love it. Especially the piano and the submarine.

Learn a Language the easy way

O.k. this not exactly about online learning games, but its about learning languages in a playful and effective way. Rossetta Stone did a great job in developing this competently grammar free method, based on the ways children learn languages.

There are two ways to do it: Either you buy one of their CD based bundles (Mac and PC), or you subscribe to a 3, 6 or 12 month online subscription. I would recommend you the subscription, since all the rossetta stone products are rather expensive and I suppose a subscription would add some motivation to your studies. ( I have to learn perfect mandarin in 6 month, otherwise I have to pay again ;-)

Get your free demo here:
Rosetta Stone: Free Demo