Fisher Price Baby Smartronics Computer Learning System - For Our Computer Tech Babies!
Written: May 12 '02
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Pros: Learning and fun at the same time; appeals to large age range
Cons: lining up the keyboards can be tricky the first few times
The Bottom Line: System is GREAT for babies to interact with computer; toddlers learn ABC's and 123's; children reinforce learned skills; encourages parent/child interactions as well!
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| shantel575's Full Review: Fisher-Price Baby Smartronics Computer Learning La... |
In my opinion, there are toys out there that are just “toys”, and then there are super-duper products that I just have to write about! This product is one of those that I just have to tell you about. I love the fact that there are computer oriented toys and games out there for babies and toddlers, because in our computer-oriented world, they can never begin to learn computer skills too early! We have several computer type toys in our house, but this one has got to be one of my favorites, and also one of my son’s favorites. He has had this computer toy for about 2 years now, and he still plays with it to this day! So it is not one that will only last for a few months and then the child gets bored with it. This one has kept his interest since he was about a year old, and he just turned three years old this year!
Fisher Price Baby Smartronics Computer Learning System
So what is this thing? This system comes with a keyboard like product that has oversized keys and buttons, a CD-rom and an instruction booklet. Easy enough huh? The concept is this: the oversized keyboard is designed for your little ones hands and eyes. This keyboard sits on top of the computer’s regular keyboard, and there are pegs that correlate with the large keyboard and the regular keyboard underneath. When lined up correctly, the child’s keyboard will work just like the regular keyboard, but it’s more child oriented with its large buttons and colorful keys.
Installing the program to begin this system and the fun is as simple as inserting the CD into the computer drive. You will have to have the CD in the CD-rom drive anytime your child wishes to play with the system, so keep it handy! When you insert the CD for the first time, the computer will prompt you and walk you through the installation steps. Once installation is complete, your child is ready to begin!
The instruction booklet is very detailed and will be a helpful guide when ready to set up the system for your child. The biggest task is getting the child’s keyboard placed correctly on the computer keyboard. The booklet will help guide you, and once you have it lined up correctly, the keys will correspond correctly as well. Now your child is ready to play and learn!
This computer system is for children ranging from 9 months to Pre-school age!
About The Keyboard
You can see a pretty good photo of the keyboard in the photo Epinions has provided above. The top of the keyboard features Fisher Price’s “Alpha Play Puppy” animated character. Next to him is his telephone that has a button on it for use in the games provided. On the left there is a rolling ball that is also used in the system’s games and animation. One side is orange with music notes and the other side is blue with a cat’s face on it. Below the rolling ball is a painter’s palette with a red triangle button, a yellow square button and a blue circle button. In the center of the keyboard are the letter/alphabet keys. They are large blue keys that have 2-3 letters on each one. To the right of the letter keys is the number pad. The numbers are on red keys and range from 1-10. There is also a green spacebar at the bottom.
Beginning The Computer Learning System
When you are ready to begin, you will come to the Home screen first of all. There are several options on this screen, some of which are helpful to the parents. On this screen, you will find a “Parent Content Guide” which is just like an instruction booklet, but it’s on the computer game itself. You have the option to turn the background music on or off. There is a feature called “Auto Play Tips” that appear at the top of the screen during play. These tips encourage interaction between parent and child and provide helpful information for the parent during play. On the home page you have the option to turn this feature off or on. In the top left corner, there is always a “house” icon, which will take you to the home page if you click on it with the mouse. In the top right corner, there is a “light bulb” icon that will provide helpful tips if you click on it.
Also on the home page, you have the option of selecting the level of play for your child. There are 3 levels of play to choose from, from beginner to advanced, depending on the age of your child. Now I’ll talk about each individual level, what the differences are and what age ranges correspond with each level.
Level 1 – Infants & Pre-Toddlers
Level 1 of play is for infants as early as 9 months old. Your child can play on this level until you feel they are old enough to move to Level 2 (which is about Toddler age). Here are the details about Level 1:
Keyboard Functions:
* All keys give fun animation and music when pressed
* The roller ball provides special animation and music that is fun for baby
Benefits Offered In Level 1 Play:
* Allows for interaction, conversation and discussion between baby and parent during play (about objects and actions occurring on the screen)
* Minimal dialogue from the computer characters since this is an infant level
* Cause and Effect situations displayed as baby plays with keys
For example: If baby pushes the number 5 key, a number 5 and some animation will appear. Very limited information for a very beginner level of learning and play.
Level 2 – Toddlers
Level 2 is geared toward the toddler-aged child. My son currently plays on this level more than any other at the moment. I’m sure he’ll move up to the Level 3 soon though! Here are Level 2’s details:
Keyboard Functions:
* Letter keys respond with a spoken letter and animation of a corresponding picture
* Number keys count that particular number of objects with animation
* Space bar will count from one to ten at child’s pace (each push of the space bar increases the number by one)
* Color/Shape Keys will display that color shape and then a baby face playing Peek-a-boo
* Musical rolling ball gives fun animation and music across the screen
* Telephone key brings up “Alpha Play Puppy” who talks to the child about the games/keys
For example: If the child presses the letter “H”, a voice will say the letter “H” and the letter is also visibly shown; then an animated example appears (for “H” it is a Harp). For “P” it’s Pie and for “V” it’s Violin.
If the number 5 is pressed, a 5 is visible along with the spoken word “five” and then an animated picture shows up (flowers) and they are counted from 1 to 5. The number 9 will count 9 apples.
Benefits Offered In Level 2 Play:
* Concept of Letters and the Alphabet
* Concept of Numbers and Counting
* Common objects, animals and food items are displayed and animated
* Peek-a-boo faces promote interaction
* Telephone play and interaction with animated character
Level 3 – Child
This level of play is great for children that are pre-school and kindergarten age! It helps prepare them for learning to read and count, and is great reinforcement for things already learned.
Keyboard Functions:
* Letter Keys – spoken letter, animated object to correspond with that letter and interaction is prompted (by a question or comment relating to that letter)
* Number Keys – spoken number, animated object is counted to correspond with that number and interaction is prompted
* Space bar counts in increments of one each time it is pressed; animated objects correspond with each number reached
* Color/Shape Keys reveal that shape hidden in a picture scene and the shape is named audibly
* Phone calls “Alpha Play Puppy” and he interacts with the child asking questions about letters, numbers or objects; also allows the child the option to switch to another “scene” to play in (by pushing the yellow square, you go to a bedroom scene, the red triangle goes to a farm scene and the blue circle goes to a park scene)
* Roller ball provides fun animation and music across the screen
Benefits Offered In Level 3 Play:
* More complex scenes (farm, park or bedroom)
* Prompts child for input
* Child can choose one of three locations
* Color and shape recognition
* Introduces concepts like up & down and fast & slow
* Recites the alphabet and counts to 10 (or higher)
For example: If the child presses the “Y” key, the letter is spoken and displayed with an animated object just like Level 2, but then the child is prompted with a question similar to “Press the “Y” again to see the yo-yo do tricks”. If the number “7” is pressed, the number is displayed and spoken, and then 7 eggs are counted (in the farm scene) and then the child is prompted with “Press the “7” again to hatch the eggs”.
Level 3 is much more interactive with your child!
Overall Benefits Provided From This Computer System
Overall, this system provides benefits in the following areas:
* Developing Motor Skills (hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity)
* Emotional/Social Development
* Enhances Language Skills
* Encourages Cognitive Abilities
* Stimulates The Senses (Seeing, Hearing, Touching)
Personal Experience and Recommendation
My son has played and played with this computer system, and he loves it! He has learned a ton from it too. He JUST turned 3, but he has been saying his entire alphabet and counting to 20 for MONTHS now. This computer system only helped and reinforced these skills. Not only does it teach them many things, it is FUN, which is very important!
As an infant, I sat him in my lap and let him go at it. As he got old enough to sit on his own in the chair and maneuver the keyboard I let him sit alone and play, but I’d sit close by and still interact with him. Now that he’s 3, he knows it ALL! LOL Seriously, he can work the system on his own now, and he loves the interaction. If he needs me or has a question, he yells for me to come help. Sometimes he’ll still sit in my lap and play just so we can have some fun together. So this is an all around great product in my opinion.
Do I recommend this for your child? SURE I do! It’s a fabulous learning tool, a fun activity away from the television and it promotes parent/child interaction… what could be better? We have thoroughly enjoyed this computer system, and I’ve even purchased them as gifts for about 3 people already. So yes, I recommend it highly and we have loved ours for about 2 years now!
Purchasing Information
For more information about this toy, and where to purchase your own, you can visit www.fisherprice.com or you can call 1-800-432-5437. I have seen this product range in price from $20 to $35. Ours was a gift, but even if I had to purchase it, I would pay whatever the price for such a wonderful product!
Here is the toy as it is listed on Fisher Price’s website. There is a link on their page that will take you to retailers that carry this toy.
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/products/product.asp?id=3158
(Note: Here is a tip for lining up the keyboards... once you get it lined up correctly, mark or remember exactly where it corresponded with your regular keyboard on all 4 "corners" so to speak.. this will make for easier playing in the future!)
Thank you so much for reading! ;-)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Gift
Type of Toy: Educational
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shantel575
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