Postman Pat
The objective of the Postman Pat website is to provide the child with a fun, enjoyable and educational web site, which utilises technology to make the internet experience as safe as possible. On accessing the site the familiar Postman Pat tune plays and children are drawn into the atmosphere of Greendale by the arrival of Postman Pat and his van and the Greendale Rocket. Each of the five games covers areas of the Foundation Stage curriculum and is a brilliant way to introduce some early mouse skills to three- to four-year-olds.
Start with the 'Windy Day at the Post Office'. To complete this game children move the mouse over letters flying about in the wind clicking on them to collect them. A tally of letters is recorded on-screen.
'Ted Glen's Shed' is also good for mouse control. In this game children use the mouse to control the hammer and click on nails to knock it back into the block of wood.
If your children have developed mouse movement then try 'Julian's School Bag'. This game requires children to match objects to a template by clicking, moving and dropping items in order to pack Julian's lunch bag.
'The Greendale Rocket' game is similar and gives children written and verbal instructions on how to complete a 'jigsaw puzzle' of the train.
Children have to click, move and drop a jumble of pieces on to a template of the train in order to complete it.
Finally, try introducing the children to some simple control skills by manoeuvring the 'Greendale Primary School' bus through a maze of streets to pick up children and complete the school journey. This is achieved by clicking on 'forward', 'back', 'left' and 'right' arrow buttons.
There is the promise of extra games and goodies, but there is already a collection of wallpapers for your PC and some online colouring templates which can be printed.
Further information on www. postmanpat.co.uk.
