Standout software for young children (say 2-4)

[ac]

Brian McKee wrote:
> I'm putting together a system for a local daycare.  Expected users are 2-4
> years old.  Suggestions for software packages etc. appreciated in case I'm
> missing something.   Tuxpaint and GCompris are the obvious ones.
> Also already thought of
> - Direct log in to non-admin account
> - No internet connectivity
> - I'm thinking no menus - just desktop icons...  Anybody know if that intro
>   screen they use on the Asus EEE is a separate project somewhere?  Looks
>   interesting.
> - I'm also thinking of making both mouse buttons right click - that's an option
>   in Tux Paint I always thought was smart...  if I could make it apply to that
>   one account only it would be perfect.
> - I could install WINE and an MS based software product if there's a real stand
>   out for that age bracket I suppose.
> 
> Other suggestions?
> 
> Brian
> 

'childsplay' is good fun

definitely gcompris yes

Tetris type things are simple to catch on to, maybe pacman stuff. 2 
years is a bit young there though. Also tuxkart (not same as tuxracer) 
might be worth having. I think they will get skilled with fingers on 
cursor keys  soon after 2.

At around 2 years they like to maybe bash the keyboard, try the mouse, 
and press any buttons they can see. My favourite 2 year old has an 
edubuntu machine on a low table (it was in the junk box). Supervision 
is present but is supportive. The On button gets used when the child 
wants it to run....., and the crt monitor buttons - variously.

The childs account is a second user account with most of any useful 
menu stripped out. It is not on the internet (yet)

Apart from a few new folders inadvertantly appearing on the desktop 
and easily deleted, it is still surviving after several months. :-)

good luck
-- 
ac