Liven Up Learning of the Alphabet Compliments of The Critical Thinking Co.

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This post, Liven Up Learning of the Alphabet Compliments of The Critical Thinking Co., was made possible with the chance to review Alphabet Song Game (Grades K-5) (Windows based downlaod) from The Critical Thinking Co as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. 

 

As he has a late fall birthday, J is technically considered a pre-K student still even though he is already a TALL 5 year old boy. In some ways, I am glad to have a second year of preschool so we can continue our more leisurely pace through material with no set schedule needing to be maintained. The downside for this second year of pre-K is that I haven’t felt pressured to make sure he’s fully ready for kindergarten come fall. Learning the alphabet is one of the skills that we’ve dabble with in the past, but not really felt compelled to have him demonstrate mastery until recently.

Liven Up Learning of the Alphabet Compliments of The Critical Thinking Co

 

 

 

About The Critical Thinking Co. Alphabet Song Game

Just as the name states, the Alphabet Song Game helps to teach students the letters of the alphabet (in alphabetical order!) through games.  This program contains 22 games which teach students the names and shapes of both uppercase and lowercase letters(print, not cursive.)  Through the games, students are challenged to overcome common stumbling blocks by integrating the ability to distinguish similar looking letters, mirrored letters, and reverse letters.  Depending upon your student, the games can be played independently or with you alongside.

Alphabet Song Game Opening Screen

 

 

Our Thoughts about The Critical Thinking Co. Alphabet Song Game

As I shared at the start of this post, my 5 year old son was the user of this program.  He was excited to have something to do on mom’s computer which counted as schoolwork for him.  I guess life is hard for a 5 year old watching his high school brothers ‘do school’ with mom.  The timing of this program entering our lives couldn’t have been more perfect.  He’s been challenged by his dad to start learning to read so that cries of “I’m bored” won’t be as frequent.  After all, books let you escape to far away lands and can entertain you for hours if you let them.

 

And what does any child need as a foundation for learning to read?  Yep, they need to know the alphabet!

 

While the games can be done on his own, I find that it is beneficial for me to be in the room with him.  I might not be hovering, but I can observe and see where he is stumbling.

 

The first game has the child singing the alphabet song with the computer and then having to indicate which letter comes next when presented with a small grouping of choices.  So, right out the gate, your child isn’t just having to see an ‘e’ and know that it is the letter e.  They also have to know it comes after the letter d as taught through the song.

Alphabet Song Game In Action

 

Until the reach a minimal level of mastery (90%) , the program will not allow them to proceed to the next game. Thankfully, J readily accepted the challenge and persisted until he could open the next game.

Alphabet Song Game Menu Screen

He’s making progress, but still has a ways to go. I am thankful to The Critical Thinking Co. for their Alphabet Song Game program as it is providing me a way to help him reinforce any learning done directly with me without him feeling overwhelmed by mom. Besides, using MY computer is a special treat that he wants to have.

 

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How do you approach teaching the alphabet in your homeschool?

Does music and interactive videos play a part in the learning process for you?

   

 

Don’t just take my word for how we found this to be.  Visit the Critical Thinking Company post on the Schoolhouse Review Crew website to see what other homeschooling parents thought about this and other self-paced courses.

 

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