11 replies to this topic

[Wolf O'Donnell]

Learning without reading? I don't think there is such a game, not for the DS, anyway. You could get him to work on his logic skills, I suppose.Picross DS would be a good way to go about it, but I'm not sure if a kid of his age bracket would be interested in such a game. Basically, Picross DS takes place on a gird of squares. Each column and row is marked with numbers that tell you how many squares in each column and row should be filled in. So, let's say the first column is marked 10, then you know that ten squares, one after another, should be filled in. If the next column says 1, 5, 2, then you know there are three groups of squares in that column, one consisting of 1 square, one consisting of 5 and another of 2. Using the columns, you're supposed to work out which squares to fill in. But there's not much action to it, so I'm not entirely sure if it'll keep his interest.Planet Puzzle League or just Puzzle League DS depending on which region you're living in, is another option available. It's also a logic puzzle game but has more action to it. I've reviewed it on site here. There's a mode featured in the game that's very logic orientated, but once again, I'm not entirely sure if he's going to stay interested in it.The problem with getting a videogame for a 5-year old is that they're not really suited to playing videogames. I didn't start until I was eight. Any younger and they'll find games too hard due to still developing hand-eye co-ordination.However, a web search has turned up Spelling Challenges and More and Math Play, which are actively designed for young and old alike. However, I haven't tried them and I cannot guarantee that playing videogames is a good way to get children to learn. I once had a maths videogame when I was younger and it didn't really help that much at all.