Top Pick We're impressed with both the entertainment and educational value
of the new JumpStart Reading with Karaoke computer game. This
game uses Voice Activated Learning that adds a new, high-quality
level of interaction to an already excellent learn-to-read format.
Kids meet Val, a clear-speaking cat who hosts the game. Her name
is also an acronym for "Voice Activated Learning"a feature that
adds value to the program, but that can be bypassed if desired. Some
years ago, JumpStart Phonics was released, and its use of voice
recognition technology was unique but imperfect. The program didn't
always recognize kids' correct answers, which was a real problem for
the targeted age group. The voice recognition technology in JumpStart Reading with Karaoke works smoothly. In fact, we never
once came to a point where the technology failed in our testing of
the game. The dialogue and audio of the game is also extremely
Children begin each set of activities at Hip Hop Avenue, pictured
above. They listen to the song they are about to learn, and then are
introduced to some of the words used in the song—the words that can
be sounded out phonetically. Later, they'll return here to learn the
featured sight words in the song. The first song on level one is
"The Big Cat Sat on One Little Mat". Val introduces children to the
words "cat", "mat", "sat", "rat", and "bat", one word at a time. She
sounds the words out for children, and then asks players to repeat
the word into their microphone. The word is then played back. If the
wrong word is spoken, Val asks kids to try again. If kids answer
incorrectly again, Val tells them the correct pronunciation of the
word, and then moves on to the next word in the set.
Once complete, kids move to the Trash Can activity. Children sort
word-labeled pieces of trash into Trash Can or Trash Can't according
to specific rules. On the lowest level, they identify beginning
sounds. Later, kids identify short and long vowel sounds as well as
consonant blends and digraphs.
Next, children direct Kisha on her bicycle, picking up pieces of
mail and avoiding obstacles. Once the letters are collected, they
attach the letters to incomplete words. Kids move on to a new
activity in which they help Frankie load his mail truck by building
words, and then reading them into their microphone (pictured
directly above). If they read or build a word incorrectly, Val helps
them out with a hint.
Kids return to Hip Hop Avenue to learn sight words used in the
featured song, and then help Frankie and Val deliver packages to
their friends. Guiding Frankie's mail truck through the streets is a
fun little game. Once complete, they go to their friend's house and
choose the correct word-labeled boxes.
The next activity involves jump rope chants. This is a strong
activity that reinforces some of the phrases in the song along to a
rhythm. At this point, kids will have earned enough tickets to move
on to the Jukebox where they can sing the songs karaoke-style. As
they sing, they are guided by the words on the screen and slightly
muted vocals. However, when they play back the song, it's only their
own voice, and it's such fun!
Children begin the whole process again with a new song (and new
words) to learn. There are 24 original songs in the game, and they
are carefully chosen to include age-appropriate sets of words and
word families. The performance is excellent as well—the songs are
written by Christopher Smith, a Kindergarten teacher, and delivered
by the Big Fins. The rhymes and rhythms are catchy, and they
certainly make learning words easier.
The graphics are quite engaging, and feature smooth and visually
interesting scrolling, 3D figures, and bright colors.
The program can be played without the microphone, but kids are still
prompted, and required, to click on the microphone button as they
play. If they do, the program reads the words for them. Note that a
microphone is included in the software package.
The program is best for children who know their letters and who
understand the concept that sounds are attached to letters.
Important: A DirectX 9.0-compatible 3D video card is a
minimum requirement for this game. The saved songs in the
- Well-designed, clear and effective learning system that
incorporates voice recognition technology seamlessly.
- Large content.
- Variety of activities helps to keep kids engaged, and offsets
the issue of repetition (which is necessary for learning to read).
- System requirements may be too high for many families' kids'
More screenshots from
For more information, user reviews, or to buy:
Jumpstart Reading With Karaoke
Reviewed: October 2005