Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this site's an extension of the PBS Kids Sprout cable channel. Most of the content is recycled directly from the channel's popular shows, but the site is fun and visually-notable enough that kids won't mind seeing the same stuff online. The only advertisements are on the "About Sprout" page (what a nice change!), which is presumably intended for adults, but of course the entire site is a marketing vehicle for the television programming.
Families can talk about their kids' favorite characters. How are they different than on TV? What do you like about them on the computer? Do you like playing games with them? What's your favorite area of the site? Why?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Angela Freeman
SPROUTONLINE.COM is the companion Web site to the 24-hour cable channel PBS Kids Sprout, dedicated to preschool kids ages 2-5. You'll find many of your favorite characters from Sprout Diner, Mr. Mailman, and the Birthday Show, but the real stars are the crew from the Good Night Show -- perky host Nina, her plushy star-shaped puppet Star, Hush the goldfish, and Lucy the firefly.
Most of the site's content is recycled directly from the channel's popular shows (particularly the Good Night Show), but it's fairly well done. With the click of a button, Nina will lead your preschooler through yoga poses, do sign language, read a story, or demonstrate the daily craft project. If you've ever tried to help your 3 year old follow the instructions on TV for making a fairy crown or a friendly monster mask, you'll appreciate having the video online, where you can view it again. And again. And again.
The games section offers simple, age-appropriate activities from almost all of Sprout's shows. You can rummage through the kitchen for food in the Berenstain Bears' "Pack A Picnic" game, or match cards in Pingu's "The Matching Game." Some of the games link off to other sites; often to PBSKids.com. And as with any collection of games, some are slow to load and others don't work well on Macs. Some also require older kid computer skills, such as using arrow keys to navigate directionally, but younger kids will have a blast watching you race Thomas the Tank Engine through the island of Sodor.
Other notable site features are episodes of Sprout Diner, which highlight healthy eating habits, along with accompanying kid-friendly recipes such as Elmo's Funny Face Pizza Pie or Pingu's Fishy Fritters. Or check out the section devoted to the Birthday Show, where you can help your kid create and submit a birthday card; if it's selected, it will be featured on the show. A "Sprout Special" gives you Noddy teaching you words in five different languages. It would've been helpful to have a voiceover saying each word to hear the pronunciation, but it's still a fun area to explore.
Fans of this site might also enjoy Kids CBC Preschool, Noggin.com, and PBSKids.com.
Reviewed: 02/15/2007
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CommercialismThe only ads are on the "About Sprout" page. |
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Educational ValueDevelopmentally appropriate games are great for preschoolers. |
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