MyABCD instructions and help files available in seven languages

MyABCD is an animated educational software program for pre-school children which includes the alphabet, numbers, games, original music, sound effects and animation. In the download version of MyABCD, the instructions and comprehensive help files are offered in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portugese and Spanish and you can change between these languages with one click. The graphics and sound remain in English. The authors of the program have received feedback from parents and teachers telling them that they have used MyABCD with children who have developmental difficulties and with children from non English speaking backgrounds. The language changing innovation will enhance the use of the program for early learning of English as a second language

Adelaide, South Australia

MyABCD has been developed over the past four years by Paxton Cat software, an Australian family company. It has been marketed as a shareware, with delivery by free on line downloading and low cost registration (USD9.95). It features lively background music written by Kevin Tuck, a prominent Adelaide percussionist.

The authors claim that MyABCD can help a two or three year old to learn the alphabet, count up to twenty, learn the names and sounds of musical instruments and develop basic basic mouse skills.

The letters appear sequentially and are displayed in both upper-case and lower-case. Each letter is linked with a word and used in a spoken sentence- for example G giraffe The giraffe is very tall . If you mouse-over the letter the phonic will be repeated and if you mouse-over the sentence it will be repeated. For every letter there is an amusing animation. For example the Giraffe extends its neck and eats from the top of the tree. Your children will anticipate with excitement the appearance of the teddy and sing along with his special tune.

The testing of the program was originally in the hands of Hannah, now aged six, who enjoyed the earlier versions from age fifteen months. When Hannah went to the zoo at age two she surprised her mother by saying 'tall' at her first sight of a giraffe.

The numbers from one to twenty are counted out. The presentation is cleverly varied and the colors and graphics are appealing. For example the number one introduces the juggling elephant which will delight all children while number two shows the drummer boys which appear in some of the games. Your child will soon know his or her favorite numbers and anticipate their appearance

For full information about the program go to the website and click on teachers

Editors of computer and other magazines are encouraged to include MyABCD in magazine CDroms. The authors would be pleased to hear from software clubs and distributors.