Adventures with the Shady Characters
© 2004 Healthmark Multimedia
Nine simple, playful games on one CD (also available as a download) introduce children to the topic of sun safety. The goal is to win prizes at the fun fair by winning the games. By clicking on areas of the park, children can start one of the activities, which consist of simple matching games, a maze to find sunscreen, a game of concentration, find the hidden sunglasses, and so on. The games are designed around three strategies for sun safety: play in the shade, dress for the sun and use sunscreen. We noticed that there is no point in the program when children are directly told why the sun is dangerous, leaving preschoolers to wonder "I guess the sun is bad for you." It is up to an adult to help children understand why the sun can be bad, in a way that is developmentally appropriate for them. There are two versions of the program, one in Spanish, the other in English, making this a good language experience as well. A child's progress is not saved. All in all, this is a nice collection of fun, responsive games, that are generally well designed and create a context to discuss sun safety.
$14.95, Windows XP
Teaches: health: the importance of sun protection, Spanish