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Cute. Cute.
Impossibly cute. Cute is definitely the operative word in the slickly designed Keroppi
Day Hopper. But once you get past oohing and ahhing over roly-poly Keroppi you have to stop
for a minute and ask yourself, "Do kids need a PIM?" I thought the answer was "No" until I
took a look at Keroppi. As it turns out this isn't just a personal information manager,
it's a journal-writing program hidden in a PIM's clothes. While I still don't think kids
need their own computer calendar, I do think they need the type of writing encouragement
that Keroppi provides. So if you're going to buy Keroppi, get it for the journal writing.
The main goal--and strongest element of the program--is to encourage personal expression.
Instead of locking up a diary, children can keep a computerized recording of their thoughts
and feelings, complete with coded password to keep out prying siblings' or parents' eyes.
In addition to creating a safe environment for personal expression, Keroppi makes writing fun.
Many words have specific sounds that accompany them when typed correctly (if you type "cow"
you hear "Mooooo"), and kids can choose from several fun fonts.
There is no spell-checking option on Keroppi. Remember that this is supposed to be journal
writing, after all, and isn't intended for public critique. It should be free flowing and
uninhibited. Keep that in mind when you buy the product; if you expect a pint-size word
processor you'll be a bit disappointed.
What makes this program a favorite? (And why did they include a calendar anyway?) Keroppi
talks to you. In cartoon bubbles he asks the writer personal questions that incorporate
information from the calendar so the users feel like Keroppi is a friend who knows their
experiences and feelings. That's a really nice touch, one that couldn't be done without
the calendar and one that I haven't seen in any other children's writing program. It gets
a bit clunky sometimes, such as when children haven't entered enough information in the
calendar and Keroppi has to come up with writing ideas on its own. Also, keep in mind that
your child should have at least a second grade reading comprehension level to take advantage
of this product.
Is this going to teach young children about time management? Maybe, maybe not. It depends
a lot on how often your child uses the computer. Sure, kids will have fun planning school
vacations, slumber parties and soccer practice, but will they really learn to check their
calendars to see whether or not they have an assignment due the next day? And do you want t
hem to? One of the pluses of being a kid is that you can be disorganized and a little
dependent on other people to remind you to do things. Okay, so maybe the Puritan work ethic
is being over-powered by New Age yuppie-kid syndrome but, yeesh, I would be scared to see a
seven-year-old printing out a day planner.
If you're interested in seeing your child be more comfortable with personal expression,
check out Keroppi. Don't confuse it with a word processor, though, and consider whether
they'll use the calendar. If they won't input information in the calendar they probably
won't use or enjoy the journal and you'll want to look elsewhere to call out the writing
muse in your little genius.
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