Sesame Street Teaches Preschoolers in a New Way

My 2 ½ year old wants to do everything his bigger siblings do, including playing video games.

While I’m not a fan of hours and hours of video games, when I know they are learning something, I’m better with the kids playing them for a bit.

Of course, my son demands a turn and usually has no idea how to play – mostly, he wants to hold the Wii remote because he knows that’s somehow important.

Well, now there is a game he can play that he knows how to operate and he is learning something from.

Released last month from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, “Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure The Videogame” does just this.

Along with the complimentary “Cookie’s Counting Carnival The Videogame” these games can really help jump start or reinforce learning letters and numbers in a fun, interactive way for young children.

Both games are available for the Wii or Nintendo DS systems. The Wii games sell for $39.99 and the DS games sell for $29.99. It’s a one-player game but parents can enable a second remote to give help, if needed.

The Wii game comes with a soft character cover for the remote that covers up non-essential buttons to make it easier for the kids to play. Most of the games require a motion such as jumping, scooping or sweeping to make their selections so it’s super easy.

The DS game comes with a jumbo click stylus designed for small hands, which simplifies the interaction with the touch screen. It also features a retractable tip and wrist strap for safety and has a soft grip for comfort.

In Elmo’s game, the focus is the alphabet. Kids have a choice between visiting the zoo games and playing other games after they have chosen what shape icon they will be (like a profile).

Some of the principles being taught include letter identification, making rhymes, letter sounds and color and shape identification. They explore different habitats around the zoo including the Arctic, the Savannah, and the Jungle, to name a few.

A Sesame Street character named Chris helps by narrating throughout to instruct your child on exactly how to play. My son picked this up very quickly and gets SO excited when he selects the right answer!

For the Cookie Monster game, kids join Big Bird and Cookie at a carnival to help learn number identification, counting, shapes and pattern recognition. They visit different areas of the carnival such as the Petting Zoo, Arcade and Food Court, among others.

“Bringing the Sesame Street gold-standard literacy and math curriculum to these interactive platforms, which were modified and kid-tested to ensure age-appropriate playful learning experiences, provides families additional tools to foster fundamental academic skills as well as a love of learning,” says Dr. Rosemarie T. Truglio of the Sesame Workshop.

“The games are entertaining and intuitive, enabling the youngest kids in the family to have fun while learning at their own pace,” says Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

 I can tell you that’s what’s happening at our house! Keep these games in mind for a great gift for your young child or family member for the up-coming holiday season.

For additional information about the games, visit www.sesamestreetvideogames.com.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of the Elmo game for review.