Early Learning House
{{Short description|1990s collection of educational video games and compilations}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = House Series
| image = 200px
| developer = Theatrix Interactive, Inc.
| publisher = Edmark
| genre = Edutainment
| platforms = DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows, Macintosh
| creator =
| first release version = Millie's Math House
| first release date = October 1992
| latest release version = Stanley's Sticker Stories
| latest release date = July 1996
}}
Early Learning House{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STRATEGY+SOFTWARE+AHEAD+OF+THE+GAME%255CCD-ROM+not+just+child's+play.-a083898912|title=STRATEGY SOFTWARE AHEAD OF THE GAME\CD-ROM not just child's play. - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com|access-date=2016-09-23}} or simply the House Series is a collection of four main educational video games and two compilations for the Windows and Macintosh platforms, developed by Theatrix Interactive, Inc. and published by Edmark software. Each different game focuses on a particular major learning category with selectable skill settings for preschooler, kindergarten and elementary learners. Millie's Math House (1992) on mathematics, Bailey's Book House (1993) on language, Sammy's Science House (1994) on science, and Trudy's Time and Place House (1995) on history and geography. A spin-off, Stanley's Sticker Stories (1996), sees players create animated storybooks with the series' characters.{{Cite web|url=http://www.synapse-ada.com/edmark/prod/house/stanley/|title=Stanley - Overview|website=www.synapse-ada.com|access-date=2016-09-18}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} Millie & Bailey Preschool and Millie & Bailey Kindergarten each contain the combined activities from two of the four software products. In addition the programs can be configured by an adult mode to suit students with special needs.{{cite web|url=http://www.helsinki.fi/~reunamo/apu/kidsmart/Teachers_Guide.pdf|title=Welcome|access-date=2023-08-11}} Most of the activities in every game have two modes, one to allow learners to explore and try it out for themselves and the other for learners to follow specific tasks set by the game characters. Learners also have the option to print pictures of creative activities and record sounds in phonics activities. Later the games were re-developed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology and re-published by The Learning Company with newer graphics and additional activities.
Production
ERAC created an agreement with IBM Canada's K-12 Division, with support from the British Columbia Ministry of Education, to provide the House Series software to British Columbia schools and districts for free.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bcerac.ca/agreements/the-edmark-house-series.aspx|title=Edmark House Series {{!}} ERAC|website=www.bcerac.ca|access-date=2016-09-18}} Enhanced versions of the products were announced in September 1995, which included new activities, added difficulty levels, and a Dear Parents Video Presentation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Edmark+Ships+Windows+95+Version+of+its+Award-Winning+%2522Sammy's+Science...-a017372452|title=Edmark Ships Windows 95 Version of its Award-Winning "Sammy's Science House". - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}
Games
The purpose of the series is to "provide students with a positive environment to explore early learning concepts".{{cite web|url=http://eduscapes.com/electronic/10.htm|title=Electronic Materials for Children and Young Adults}}
Millie's Math House was released in October 1992 (enhanced in August 1995){{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/777249/0000891020-96-001042.txt|title=Edmark Corporation Document|website=www.sec.gov|access-date=2017-11-23}} and stars the cow Millie.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C4Q7-QidFycC&dq=%22millie%27s+math+house%22+%22learning+company%22&pg=PA78|title=Numbers|first=Jennifer Overend|last=Prior|date=1 January 2000|publisher=Teacher Created Resources|isbn=9781576906170|via=Google Books}} It primarily focuses on counting, quantities and simple figures divided into nine different activities (seven in earlier versions{{Cite web |url=http://k-12.pisd.edu/GUIDE/Math/EdmarkPrograms.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101072344/http://k-12.pisd.edu/guide/Math/EdmarkPrograms.pdf |archive-date=2012-11-01 |url-status=dead}} and six in first version{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/images/1300-1251887|title=Giant Bomb}}).
Bailey's Book House was released in June 1993, and stars the cat Bailey. It primarily focuses on reading, playing with words and phonics divided into nine different activities (seven in earlier versions and five in the first version).
Sammy's Science House was released on July 1, 1994,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/775750923/|title='Kidware' booming in computer market|newspaper=Knoxville News Sentinel|page=37|date=June 19, 1994|via=Newspapers.com}}{{subscription required}} and stars the snake Sammy. It primarily focuses on biology, experiments, and matter divided into seven activities (five in earlier versions). The Windows 95 version of the game was shipped on July 31, 1995.
Trudy's Time and Place House was released in September 1995, and stars the crocodile Trudy. It primarily focuses on geography, simulation, and time divided into seven activities (five in earlier versions). Edmark also released software with two house series combined, each of which included half of the respective software's activities: Millie & Bailey Preschool and Millie & Bailey Kindergarten. Millie & Bailey is a two-part edutainment video game series featuring the titles Millie & Bailey Kindergarten and Millie & Bailey Preschool. Edmark repurposed activities from its Early Learning House titles Millie's Math House, Bailey's Book House, and Sammy's Science House into the two multisubject Millie & Bailey games."IBM Consumer Software Group Unveils Stellar Fall Line Up". Business Wire, 15 Sept. 1997, p. 9151135. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A19751126/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=f38b8b43. Accessed 2022-01-20. The former three games could still be purchased individually. Edmark Singles were added to the titles' main menus."Buy and Download New Edmark Singles from the Web; Single-Subject Programs That Help Kids Focus on a Particular Skill". Business Wire, 9 Dec. 1997, p. 12090028. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A20053993/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=0e25d43c. Accessed 2022-01-20. These grade-specific school versions contained teacher's guides and toll-free technical support.Semple, Patricia. "TitleWatch: new CD-ROM, videodisc, and software titles for K-12". Multimedia Schools, vol. 5, no. 2, Mar.–Apr. 1998, pp. 54-6. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A30569532/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=e580c50c. Accessed 2022-01-20. Both titles were shipped for the 1997 holiday season.Traiman, Steve. 1998. "Kids' Multimedia Sees a Growth Spurt". Billboard 110 (7): 76. [https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=222665&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site Search page (after login)].
Reception
=Critical reception=
The New York Times deemed Edmark an "impressive series", adding that "all four programs are a lot of fun".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/12/garden/childrens-s-software-for-navigating-tropics-alphabet-programs-that-go-through.html|title={{sic|nolink=y|Chil|drens's|expected=Children's}} Software for Navigating Tropics and Alphabet; Programs that go through an entire grade|last=Mills|first=Joshua|date=1995-10-12|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-09-18}}
A reviewer from SuperKids said Millie's Math House was an "excellent introductory math program for pre-schoolers" that was both educational and fun, while adding that the sound and graphics were adequate.{{Cite web|url=http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/early1/millies/merge.shtml|title=SuperKids Software Review of Millie's Math House.|website=www.superkids.com|access-date=2016-09-18}} A reviewer from TechWithKids thought the title was "well thought out" and offered a "supportive" environment within which the player could learn, noting that it was suitable for both the classroom and home.{{Cite web|url=http://www.techwithkids.com/Review_SR00058S_millies-math-house|title=Millie's Math House Review - TechWithKids.com|website=www.techwithkids.com|access-date=2016-09-18}} The game was reviewed in the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book where the authors described the "six quality math games" as appropriate for children aged three to six.{{cite book |last=Oppenheim |first=Joanne and Stephanie |author-link= Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award |title = The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids |publisher = Harper Perennial |series = Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book |volume = 1 |edition = 1st |location = New York |year = 1993 |section= Computer Software/CD-ROM - Drill and Review Software: 'Millie's Math House' |page = 274 |isbn = 0-06-273196-3}}
A reviewer from SuperKids said Bailey's Book House was a "classic" and a "must-have" within the early learning genre.{{Cite web|url=http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/early1/baileys/merge.shtml|title=SuperKids Software Review of Bailey's Book House.|website=www.superkids.com|access-date=2016-09-18}} Charles Law of PC Alamode Magazine said the game was "multifaceted", and thought it would help young learners "catch up and keep up".{{Cite web|url=http://alamopc.org/pcalamode/reviews/archive1/rev115.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020926041913/http://alamopc.org/PCAlamode/reviews/archive1/rev115.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 26, 2002|title=REVIEW: Bailey's Book House|website=alamopc.org|access-date=2016-09-18}}
In Jill Fain Lehman's article A Review of Kids' Software for Children with ASD, she deemed the activity Sorting Station from Sammy's Science House a "very good classification game".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~jef/db.html|title=Kids' Software for Children with ASD|website=www.cs.cmu.edu|access-date=2016-09-18}} Ellen Adams wrote that the title offered an "excellent" introduction to science for young children, and thought that the game's entertainment was heightened due to the "constant encouragement".{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/school/html/reviews/sammy.htm |title=Sammy's Science House |date=2003-04-28 |access-date=2016-09-18 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030428160114/http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/school/html/reviews/sammy.htm |archive-date=2003-04-28}} Childhood Education said the game was an "inviting exploration program" and "excellent introduction" to the subject matter.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sammy's+Science+House.-a016551244|title=Sammy's Science House. - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}
MacUser gave Trudy's Time and Place House a perfect 5 out of 5 score, and named it one of 1996's top 50 CD-ROMs.{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000605071936/http://macuser.zdnet.com/mu_1296/features/cdrom/feature.html | url=http://macuser.zdnet.com:80/mu_1296/features/cdrom/feature.html | title=MacUser{{'}}s 1996 Top 50 CD-ROMs | author=((The Editors of MacUser)) | date=December 1996 | archive-date=2000-06-05 | at=Kid's Stuff | url-status=dead | access-date=2019-08-01}}
Referring to Millie & Bailey Kindergarten, Emergency Librarian felt "Edmark has truly picked the best of the best to include on this CD [compilation]".Troutner, Joanne. "Software review (Factory deluxe; Storybook weaver deluxe; Millie & Bailey kindergarten; Encyclopedia of history; My amazing human body; Color a story in 3D; Encarta virtual globe; Encarta 98 encyclopedia)". Emergency Librarian, vol. 25, no. 4, Mar.–Apr. 1998, pp. 50-2. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A30051385/AONE?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=328e69f8. Accessed 2022-01-20. Visual Literacy singled out the storyboarding minigame 'Make a Move' in Kindergarten.{{Cite book|last=Burmark|first=Lynell|url=http://archive.org/details/visualliteracyle0000burm|title=Visual literacy: learn to see, see to learn|year=2002|location=Alexandria, Va.|publisher= Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development|isbn=978-0-87120-640-4}} Young Kids and Computers deemed it an "excellent variety pack"{{Cite book|last1=Buckleitner|first1=Warren|url=http://archive.org/details/youngkidscompute00elle|title=Young kids and computers: a parent's survival guide|last2=Orr|first2=Ann C.|last3=Wolock|first3=Ellen|year=1998|location=Flemington, N.J. |publisher= Children's Software Revue|isbn=978-1-891983-00-9}} and felt the activities were "well designed". Consumer reports home computer buying guide 2000 noted it as a prime example of "early-learning" software alongside the Freddi Fish series by Humongous.{{Cite book|last=Heiderstadt|first=Donna|url=http://archive.org/details/consumerreportsh0000unse|title=Consumer reports home computer buying guide 2000|year=2000|location=Yonkers, N.Y. |publisher= Consumer Reports|isbn=978-0-89043-931-9}}
Child Care Information Exchange wrote that Millie & Bailey Preschool set the standard for appropriate content, active involvement, and for clever embedding of the learning content in preschool computer activities.{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/sim_exchange_july-august-1998_122|title=Child Care Information Exchange July-August 1998: Iss 122|date=July 1998|publisher=Exchange Press Inc|language=en}} Exchange reported that "preschoolers ask to play the program over and over again".{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/sim_exchange_january-february-2005_161|title=Exchange January/February 2005: Iss 161|date=January–February 2005|publisher=Exchange Press Inc|language=en}}
=Awards=
The Early Learning House games had earned 40 awards around the time of their creation.
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2017}}{{awards table}}
|-
| 1992
| Millie's Math House
| MacUser Magazine Editors' Choice Award for Best Children's Program
|-
| 1993
| Millie's Math House
| Software Publishers Association Excellence in Software Award for Best Early Education Program
|-
| 1993
| Millie's Math House
| CODiE Award for Best Early Education Program
|-
| 1994
| Millie's Math House
| Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award
| {{Won|Platinum Award|place=gold}}
|-
| 1994
| Bailey's Book House
| Parent's Choice Award for Best Early Childhood Software
|-
| 1994
| Sammy's Science House
| Parent's Choice Award for Software
|-
| 1995
| Sammy's Science House
| Family Channel Seal of Quality
|-
|1996
| Trudy's Time and Place House
|Software Publishers Association Excellence in Software Award for Best Early Education Program
|-
| 1996
| Trudy's Time and Place House
| CODiE Award for Best Early Childhood (K-3) Education Software Program
|-
| 1998
| Millie & Bailey Kindergarten
| CODiE Award for Best Education Software Upgrade
|}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Portal|1990s|Video games}}
- {{moby game|id=/millies-math-house|name=Millie's Math House}}
- {{moby game|id=/baileys-book-house|name=Bailey's Book House}}
- {{moby game|id=/sammys-science-house|name=Sammy's Science House}}
- {{moby game|id=/trudys-time-and-place-house|name=Trudy's Time and Place House}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061026175041/http://www.edresources.com/images/resources/Edmark_House/index.htm Lander Edmark House Series at Educational Resources]
- [https://archive.today/19970213053847/http://www.edmark.com/about/awd0.html#selection-1451.5-1451.12 Edmark Awards]
- [http://www.synapseadaptive.com/edmark/prod/house/millie/quotes.html Millie's Math House Awards]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
- [http://www.synapseadaptive.com/edmark/prod/house/bailey/quotes.html Bailey's Book House Awards]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
- [http://www.synapseadaptive.com/edmark/prod/house/sammy/quotes.html Sammy's Science House Awards]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
- [http://www.synapseadaptive.com/edmark/prod/house/trudy/quotes.html Trudy's Time and Place House Awards]{{Dead link|date=December 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
{{Edmark Games}}
Category:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt franchises
Category:Children's educational video games
Category:Educational video games