Request for advice
 

I am developing a website for children. Basicly i will develop very simple, fun looking, but also 'educational' software. I don't have any artists that work with me yet, and if there are any, they are free to mail me. Anyhow, that is not the seek for advice:

The website is just 1 day old now. Its in its bare-bones. Basicly the design is finished, but i wonder if this will be sufficient. Do note, it is english for the moment, and i will probably make a dutch translation for it.

The website name is "4 Kids" , pronounce it to get the idea...

URL: http://www.fundynamic.nl/4kids

the questions about the site:
- will children find their information easily enough?
- will parents find their information easily enough?
- hints on linking?
- hints on design?
- other comments?

Questions regarding games/software for children:
- should one program support 1 'type of age' or a wide range?
- how?
- what do you think that children really need to learn?

My introduction game will be 'simon'.

Its a principle based on "Simon says". The game will consist out of 4 squares (for a good differentiation i will make this optional, ranging from 2 till perhaps 6 'squares'). The game will 'lit up' (optional) and make a sound (optional as well!). It begins with 1, and you have to repeat the sequence. After each correct repeat of the sequence, the computer will add one new square color.

Example:
RED

RED , YELLOW

RED , YELLOW, GREEN

RED , YELLOW, GREEN, RED


I think children learn a few things from this:
- train their memory
- based upon the options, they either train it visually only, or auditive. Or both (in combination)

to make this game more attractive for 'older' children (age 10/11/12) i am thinking of having cool pictures, with cars, and so forth. I need some cool cartoonish gfx for this though...

This is just a start. Basicly the entire 4KIDS program package should consist out of an introduction, where a child can set up his 'account' and launch programs from there. The main program receives data from the other programs and will calculate a score out of that. THats the idea...

i have nothing written in code so far...

comments are welcome. I feel like this will be a cool and neat project to do that actually has something to do with my field of 'study' at the moment ;)

Thanks in advance!

Re: Request for advice
 

Well I can see 1 problem right away. Nobody likes simon, it should be "Tony says".


I suggest you focus on one age range 6/7 yo, or 7/9 yo as then the site won't feel silly to everybody else.


I forgot to point out that I like the colours though.=)

Re: Request for advice
 

I also suggest that you not link to your fundynamic page with your rants on. Once you really got things going and sent people there, some, kids or parents will surely go there.

While your views should not be beholden to everybody, having them in "linking range" of your kid's site could be more trouble than it's worth.

Re: Request for advice
 

Parhaps you should make most of the site "for parents", and a seperate section "for kids". If you're trying to sell software, its always best to have a site that looks as professional as possible.

I'm no web designer, but I'd go with a menubar on the left side for site navigation, instead of what you currently have.

As for age ranges in games, try to make them for a range, such as 5-7 y.o. and 10-12 y.o etc. Its tough to make a educational game that will be fun and useful to all children.

Re: Request for advice
 

images.. images that illustrates whats behind the text.. always when working with kids..

Re: Request for advice
 

hey man.. looks nice and good idea....
i know a lot about HTML and i am pretty good with PHP/C++ so if you need some help with coding or ideas or w/e just let me know I will gladly help out

Re: Request for advice
 

I like the design of the subsections, and the colors.

Re: Request for advice
 

perhaps i should replace "4 school" into "4 parents"

or is there a better word that suits both?

Re: Request for advice
 

really depends on what you want to put in... so far we can't really tell :)

Re: Request for advice
 

basicly the website should be a place where people can find software for their children. But at the same time, kids who are a bit handy with a computer, should find their way as well. Perhaps i should name the blocks differently.

I am thinking of developing a total pack of software for kids. Tools that work together and such. I will try to use this for my final assignment at school so i can graduate with it.