Here I Am Age group: 5 plus Interactive software for Windows 3.1 and later, Pounds 11.99 Strawberry Moose Publications PO Box 7367 London N2 0JL.
Tel: 0181 731 9787 One of the most popular early years topics has always been “Our-selves”. Here I Am supports this topic ideally. It offers children a set of attractive, pre-programmed pages into which they can enter their own personal information. These pages can then be printed out, in glorious colour if you have the equipment, to produce a beautifully presented personal booklet.
Pages include “My home”, “The time, the place” (of birth), “What I look like”, “How big am I”, “My favourite clothes”, “My school”, “My friends” and “My family” (including a simple but effective family tree). There is also a simple, two months-to-a-page diary, along with several pages to record the delights of your last holiday and your birthday.
Although many teachers will prefer children to draw their own pictures rather than accept the somewhat stereotypical cartoon-style graphics, this program has much to commend it.
It is straightforward, visually appealing and will help young children to acquire simple IT skills and use the technology effectively, perhaps for the first time.