ClickandPlay is a new website designed to encourage computer literacy in pre-schoolers. A real advantage of ClickandPlay over the numerous other sites aimed at young children is that it operates as a "walled garden" of safe content. And unlike CD-roms, which can't be updated it constantly, changes and can't be scratched by little fingers!
The site is subscription-based offering unlimited entry to a cartoon world of characters including Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, Barney the Dinosaur, and Pingu. Each character has associated stories and games which stand up to replaying by very young children. Although Angelina's world is obviously pitched at young girls, our nearly three-year old son was very happy to click through the stories and try out all the games.
Interestingly, his favourite section was Web Land featuring Tak and Wak, two characters exclusive to the game.
Content offered appears to be age-specific as one first enters the child's name and date of birth before playing. Thanks to the simple and eye-catching page layouts, the interactive games taught Toby how to move back and forward to new pages, how to move the mouse around the screen and how to send emails. Playing with ClickandPlay he picked up trackpad skills on the laptop for the first time
Children can send letters through the email application to their favourite characters and receive personalised emails in return. The star and sticker reward system for completing tasks and games was particularly popular. They can also collect character stamps which can be used to create pictures in the drawing section.
I think that ClickandPlay is relatively expensive at £4.95 per month or £42.95 for an annual subscription if you have only one child but subscription allows up to four users which is ideal for bigger families.
What does appeal is the site's "constantly expanding and safe online environment" however during our one month free trial the initial download was sizeable but I did not notice any new content added.
The promise of Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder joining the site in December 2007 will ensure that we visit again.
www.clickandplay.com