One To Nine

Included in this pack is one program on cassette, a picture strip to label the function keys and a stencil containing outlines of the pictures used in the program. These items, combined with the program, provide a complete play regime for pre-school children that will develop the simple skills of basic numeracy. By combining exercises in the familiar media of paper and crayon with the novel media of the computer display, the child will be able to learn the value and meaning of the numbers 1 to 9.

A special "learning by accident" feature has been included in the program to help the child overcome the problem of relating a particular toy or pattern of toys, not only are they displayed in a different pattern from the instruction sequence, but the child will soon find by accident that any combination of toys, that make up the number, will do.

Finally, if your microcomputer is fitted with the VOICE SYNTHESIS system the child will be able to hear the simple messages about numbers that are displayed by the program.

Set Up Procedure

The setting up procedure has been kept as simple as possible and consists of selecting just two options:

1. Sound option
   If you select either soft or loud then you will have a corresponding level of sound, if you also have the VOICE SYNTHESIS SYSTEM fitted to your machine you will also be able to hear the simple messages that correspond to the numbers displayed on the screen. The silent option switches off all sound including the voice synthesis.
2. Starting point
   This feature is available so that the child can work on just a few numbers at a time without having to repeat the exercises done in the previous sessions.

The Keyboard

From this point on, only the red function keys, the BREAK key and the ESCAPE key are active. BREAK and ESCAPE will simply restart the program. The child, therefore, only has to learn to use the ten red function keys. The special symbol on key f0 acts as a RETURN key and its use is prompted from within the program. The remaining nine keys will produce, when the child is asked to enter a number of toys, the toy indicated above the key.

Playing The Game

So that the child can quickly become familiar with the order of play, each number is dealt with in the same simple sequence:

1. The child is instructed to copy the picture. The whole picture should be copied using the stencil provided.
2. When prompted, the two simple three-word sentences should be copied. You will notice that each reference to the actual number being dealt with is highlighted in double height characters.
3. The child is then asked to build a similar picture on the screen using the function keys. After three unsuccessful attempts, the instruction sequence is automatically re-run to establish the number.
4. When the correct picture has been built, an animation sequence reinforces the value of the number in question.

Loading

Tape: CHAIN"" (RETURN)
Disc: SHIFT-BREAK

Included in this pack is a picture strip to label the red function keys (this should be placed under the clear plastic strip at the top of the keyboard such that the rocking horse is above key f1).