Smart Girl's Playhouse
© 2007 UFO Interactive Games
Here's a virtual preschool that fits in your pocket; one of the first and only developmentally appropriate preschool games for the Nintendo DS, as of September 2007. There are 12 games, each represented by a labeled item in a playroom screen. Touching the piano, for example, leads to a one-octave keyboard, where you can play or record any song, as cat meows, an organ or a piano. At any time, a child can leave an activity to quickly get back to the main menu—there is no sign-in process or other complicated steps. More structured activities include a sound matching game, where you have five chances to match a set of animal noises. Correct answers are marked on a large counter, from one to 10; a great early math experience. Time is represented by moving sliders, helping children understand where they are in each activity. One unique feature is the ability to enter the birthday of your mother or father in a calendar. Drawbacks include an inability to adjust the rather loud, low quality classical music; and some of the exit icons move around the screen—it would be better if they stayed in a consistent spot. If you have a preschooler and a Nintendo DS in the same house, get this game. Designed by Starfish-SD Inc. for UFO Interactive Games. See also the Smart Boy's Playroom, Smart Girl's Party Game and Smart Boy's Toys Club.
$20, Nintendo DS
Teaches: music, logic, counting, classification
CTR Rating: 90%