my Virtual Tutor makes the Nintendo DS Learning Fun!

In a world of video games it's exciting to find a game that teaches children to read in an interactive, and exciting new way! My Virtual Tutor, developed by 1st Playable Productions and Mentor Interactive, combines a young child's new found love of the Nintendo DS system with educational games parents desire and the fun of play kids appreciate.

My Virtual Tutor - Reading has been tested with over 1200 students and was determined on average to increase reading scores 50% over those not using this software. my virtual tutor concentrates on five reading skill areas--Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Comprehension, Fluency, and Vocabulary--and includes four modes of play--Read to Me {including 6-8 interactive books}, I Can Read {featuring word-based activities}, Interactive {clickable animation, and quizzes}, and Paint {creativity and illustration}. The different modes and exercises advance along with the player creating an individualized literacy program perfect for the user. My Virtual Tutor also provides a parent mode to make it easier for parents to track their child's progress!

It is Mentor Interactive's goal "to provide a digital solution to children's literacy around the globe." Sound boring? It's not! My 5 year old daughter Bronwynn played this new game for days on the DS excited by her progress and thoroughly enjoying the vocabulary and word based activities. It's funny how just using the right format can add a new dimension of enthusiasm to learning! my virtual tutor games matches curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten to second grade-- the most influential time in a child's life for reading development. Bronwynn received the my virtual tutor for Kindergarten to first grade which focuses on sound blends, rhyme, patterns, and vowel recognition. Bronwynn's favourite activity was unscrambling letters to form words.

I am a parent but I am also an educator and I believe the educational programming of my virtual tutor, a teaching system developed at the University of Colorado Boulder Center for Spoken Language Research, is excellent and effective but the aspect of my virtual tutor I found most impressive was the encouraging and supportive nature of the virtual tutor instructor! Guided through the games by an animated tutor a child receives encouraging words, and repeated information when needed. Unlike some learning games which seem too critical causing frustration to bubble up inside a child, my virtual tutor's supportive tone and positive reinforcement provides a relaxed, safe, and "warm and fuzzy", on-the-go learning environment while providing substantial reading results!

My Virtual Tutor - Reading was recently the recipient of the honoured "Dr. Toy's Best Picks" award ! Dr. Toy is a Child Development Specialist and toy industry professional who focuses of high quality, creative, educational products which are safe, socially responsible, priced affordably and first and foremost designed with the needs of children in mind. My Virtual Tutor meets this criteria to the letter! It is the perfect addition to your child's DS library and a fabulous gift idea. Give the gift of reading fun to a special child in your life!

You can purchase my virtual tutor - Reading at game retailers throughout North America for the suggested retail price of $29.99. One Northern Mama reader can also win a my virtual tutor game here!
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• Visit My Virtual Tutor and tell me your favourite feature and which My Virtual Tutor level you would choose if you won {Required}
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Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents. Giveaway closes January 14th, 2010 10:00pm CT. Please read Giveaway Rules for further details.