Select Educational Software

Consider your child's age, then add two years to determine which products are age-appropriate. For example, your 7-year-old can probably use software titles that claim to be for children 9-12 years old. (One exception: don't buy programs that require the player to read if your child is a pre-reader).

Think about your child's interests. There are games devoted to almost every interest imaginable, and your kindergarten son is far more likely to use (and therefore learn from) a program about dinosaurs than one that teaches how to count in Spanish. Decide what you want your child to learn - and not learn. Some games, even for very young children, have violent or insensitive content you may not want your child exposed to.

Talk with your child's teacher. Since many schools now have computers in the classroom, your child probably has some favorite programs at school. His or her teacher can recommend similar titles for you to purchase. Read some product reviews. Spending $30 on software is a total waste if your child can't navigate the program or loses interest after 45 minutes.

Try before you buy. Most toy stores have demo CD-ROMs and PCs set up for you to try a program you're considering for purchase. Unless it's a gift, you might want your child to try it out, too. Look for patterns. You're bound to buy a few duds now and then, but look for similarities among the games your child really enjoys. It's your best guide to picking winners in the future.