Of all the buzz and din of reviews and marketing ploys I always seem to fall back on the Parents’ Choice Foundation for honest critiques of current toys, books and software for my kids. Parent’s Choice is a non-profit organizational that has been around for almost thirty years and it’s comprised of educators and medical professionals. Although I feel their articles are sometimes flawed or conflicted with regards to their recommendations, I feel they are being honest with me and aren’t driven by industry or marketing dollars.

I happened to stumble across their software recommendations page and want to pass it on to you. Some of the software with the top honors:

  1. Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek
  2. Crazy Machines 1.5: More Gizmos, Gadgets & Whatchamacallits
  3. Fritz & Chessters Chess for Winners

Almost in the same breadth, I want to point out their Media Management recommendations that are healthy reminders to us parents. I know from experience it can be such a bitter sweet thing to plop the kids in front of the boob-tube and tune it to their favorite channel or console and enjoy a hands-free moment but get that pang of guilt that you’re melting their brain. Well, here are some tips for managing your kids’ screen-time.

Site Links:
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Fall 2007 Software Recommendations
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Media Management

Related Links:
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Playstation or Playground?
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Are Video-Based Toys Good for Your Child?