Although the computer isn’t a cure-all, appropriately applied it can go a long way, with your guidance, towards boosting a child’s critical thinking

One problem today is that children’s attention spans seem to be getting shorter and shorter. That can undermine the concentration and problem-solving abilities needed to develop good thinking skills.

But watch a ten-year-old transfixed by his favourite video game for hours and you’ll witness the epitome of attention span. The trick, therefore, must be to find an activity worthy of their attention AND your approval.

That’s why we like the following educational software games so much. These titles are specifically designed to give children’s mental muscles a workout, yet they’re so much fun they’ll never even feel the burn.

Thinking’ Things Galactic Brain Benders Collection 3
It's as good as its predecessors; it has received 55 awards, including Best Children’s Software (by Parenting magazine) and the National Parenting Centre’s Seal of Approval.

Like the first and second collections, this one features the cute little creatures called Fripples. Five activity areas help teach skills such as deductive and inductive reasoning, synthesis and analysis, interpretation of evidence and predicting outcomes.

In Stocktopus, an octopus stockbroker helps players analyse and exchange items with traders from different parts of the world.

You must determine the trade sequences required for success in your personal portfolio. In Fripple Place, children try to match resident Fripples to their assigned rooms. (It sounds simple enough, but it had us scratching our heads!)

Most liked by out child testers was the Carving BLOX area. Intended to introduce basic physics principles, players attempt to carve a unique set of six balls using a variety of virtual tools and a thin piece of malleable metal.

Thinking’ Things Galactic Brain Benders Collection 3
It's one of those titles that we can’t say enough about and an absolute must-see. Recommended for ages eight to 12.

Star Wars Droidworks
We were sceptical about the actual educational value of a Star Wars game. We were wrong. Star Wars Droidworks (not based on Episode 1) is fun, educational and challenging and deserves the high praise it has received. Droidworks is a combination strategy game and construction set.

Players use higher-level thinking skills while inventing and designing robots – ‘droids’ in Star Wars-speak – and completing a series of missions. Droidworks teaches scientific concepts such as energy, motion, magnetism and more. From Lucas Learning, Droidworks is recommended for ages eight and up.

Madeline’s Thinking Games
‘In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines… And the smallest one was Madeline.’ So goes the familiar story; so also goes the computer software.

In this endearing title, Madeline faces a series of situations and adventures geared to challenge the younger set. Madeline’s Thinking Games includes original songs and video clips and is entirely narrated by the voice of the little mademoiselle Madeline herself.

Rediscovering a familiar childhood character was a delightful experience, especially for our testers Aunt Nattie and Madelyn. In a few short turns at the PC, this clever game became Maddy’s favourite, and now she serves as a subtle link between the generations.