Parents Say ... An Alternative to Video Games
"The kids nowadays are really into computers and this is an alternative to video games. It helps improve their learning and keeps them busy and they're having fun. What else could you ask for?"
How BrainWare Safari Develops Cognitive Skills
When we do something over and over again (like practicing a piano piece, hitting a baseball or tying our shoes), our brains get to the point where the process is automatic. That means that the neural connections in our brains have become strengthened and activate as a network to enable us to do something without thinking about it. That is what BrainWare Safari does with 41 skills in the areas of attention, memory, visual and auditory processing, thinking and sensory integration.
It takes work, and it can be motivating and very rewarding!
BrainWare Safari is built like a video game, but with a very specific purpose – to exercise 41 cognitive skills essential for learning and performing in everyday life. There are 20 different exercises in the program (most of our users refer to them as games – and that’s ok with us!) each of which develops multiple skills in a cross-training approach. When you pass a level in one exercise (game), you move to a more challenging level. If you get stuck, just move to a different exercise (game) and you’ll develop those same skills in different ways. Over time, as you push the boundaries of your abilities, your skills become stronger and you can use them (automatically!) in whatever you do in life.
Recommended Usage
Getting results like those in our studies requires regular use of BrainWare Safari over a period of weeks. In general, we recommend that you use the program:
- 3 to 5 times per week
- 30-60 minutes
- For approximately 12 weeks
Most users will not complete all 168 levels in that amount of time. However, it is the frequency and intensity of use that strengthens our mental processes. Some users may want to take a break after 10-12 weeks of intense use. Many may want to continue (“I want to beat this game!”) but at a less intense pace.
- Using BrainWare Safari at Home
- Using BrainWare Safari in a School
- Using BrainWare Safari in a Clinical Office or Learning Center
Technical Information
BrainWare Safari is a software program that must be loaded onto your computer, using a disk or downloading the software to your computer. After you install the software on your computer, you no longer need the disk.
Every user gets a unique username and password. You may install the software on more than one computer so that you can access your account via your username and password from any computer that has the software on it. Usernames and passwords cannot be shared because BrainWare Safari keeps track of individual progress in the program. Every time you log in, you pick up from where you left off, always moving forward! This will ensure that you are always at the right level for you, not someone else.
You must be connected to the Internet while you are using the program. Your data is stored on our secure server so that, should something happen to your computer, you can simply reinstall the program and be up and running immediately with your same username and password.
System Requirements:
- PC: Windows® 98 or higher. Pentium III or higher. 600 MHz or faster.
- MAC: OSX required. In order to operate BrainWare Safari on a MAC with OS 10.7 or higher, a work-around is required. Please click here for information on the work-around.
- All: 200 MB available hard disk space. Internet connection. Computer speakers.
- Recommended: External mouse. Headphones.
