Reading Eggs glitch and Headsprout question.

[Dreaming]

I wrote to Reading Eggs, but I wanted to know if any of you have had similar experiences with the site. DD is on lesson 3 and the Flash animation freezes and won't allow us to click on the words. We've tried on two computers. It's a nice program, but I'm certainly not going to pay for it if it's this unstable.

We also demoed Headsprout and she wants to purchase the full program. Is it better than Reading Eggs? About the same?

I'm wondering if there is a program similar to these (or better) on CD ROM or something that we could just purchase and install on our computer. Anyone have ideas?
DD is very excited to learn how to read and I promised I would find a "school" program to make it fun for her.

[eclipse]

We've only had that happen once or twice on reading eggs, and reloading the page solved this issue.

I do know that I was having a problem with Reading Eggs once (I couldn't get a free trial code I had to work) and, while it took a couple of days, they were very friendly and sent me a non-form letter email and told me next time to call their 1-800 number (or whatever it is) and I could get help faster. So, you might want to find the number and give them a call.

[chfriend]

Reading Eggs appears to be completely on the fritz since switching to the US site a couple of weeks ago.

Which is a bummer because one of mine was just about done with it (lesson 98) and the subscription runs out 08.15.

I've fillled out the contact sheet 3x with no answer. And sent an email to an actual person who had helped before.

It's a really great program. I'm bummed it's broken.

[nov05mama]

I know of Reading Eggs, but haven't tried it past the demo samples they have. We are using Headsprout right now and really LOVE it! It's definitely not a 'stand-alone' product and you will have to do some supplemental stuff after each episode, but it's really what I credit for getting my DS excited about reading. It got him blending sounds and recognizing them in words...and we are only at Episode 21 (there are 80 episodes in the Early Reading program). I really can't say enough great things about it!

[Nosebite]

I am one for headsprout also. My DS is on episode 47. He is sounding out letters and blending. Loves it! There is a promo now for Headsprout. I think it's 25% off. Go to the facebook/headsprout page and the promo code should be there.

[Dreaming]

Thanks for the feedback!
I ordered Headsprout with the promo code. Now to figure out the rest of our stuff...

[tankgirl73]

I tried Reading Eggs (the trial) and liked a lot about it, but found it really glitchy. Not the specific one you mentioned, but the audio clips kept getting hoopy, repeating randomly. The whole thing was just stuttery... not always, but the longer it was on the worse it would get.

I was sad because I'd liked its approach overall. Months later, I learned about Headsprout. I tried the trial and liked it even better!

But it was just too expensive to be worth it for us... Maybe I'll check out that promo code...

----
Edited to add... Ooookay, I just checked out the promo. Right, this was the program with all the supplementary books and $200. I'm sure they're great books, but I don't need a bunch of hard copies like that... I wish they had just an online option. Even with the discount it's still $150, plus shipping, plus currency exchange... Not worth it for us. *sigh*

[Dreaming]

tankgirl- I hear you on the cost. It's the first and only thing I have spent money on since 3 years ago when I bought the Oak Meadow Preschool that is now gathering dust (and I never used once ).
I'm pretty sure most of the stuff we use will be free online or the library. I hope.

[emilys_mom1]

We love headsprout and my girls ask for it often. It has really helped my 2nd grader.