Good idea but needs improvement
Written: Jan 07 '03 (Updated Jan 07 '03)
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Pros: Gets children interested in the computer at a young age, great software
Cons: It doesn't fit very well over the keyboard.
The Bottom Line: This is a great way to get your child interested in using a computer but the keyboard needs to be improved on.
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| mcfarlandx4's Full Review: Fisher-Price Baby Smartronics Computer Learning La... |
Being a "computer" family, my husband and I bought this child's keyboard and software for our son when he was 9 months. The product is labeled for children 9 months and up. We loved the idea of letting our son sit up (in a booster at first) at his own computer and he loved being like mommy and daddy.
The software that came with it is really good. It has 3 levels for different ages that the parent sets. All you have to do is install the software and the program guides you through getting it ready for your child. When set on level one, cute objects and animals pop up when a button on the special keyboard is pushed. If a button is not pushed, a little animal will pop up and encourage your child to push a key. Music also plays the whole time. There is also an on and off selection at the beginning to decide if you want the computer to give instructions to the parent to make the most of the learning experience. If this option is selected, the computer will have words at the top of the screen such as "Sing along to the music with your child".
Level 2 has counting and the alphabet. This is the level my son, now 2, has progressed to. When a button is pushed an item will come up and say a number or letter. Its great because my son always repeats what the computer says and he is learning to recognize the letters and numbers. Music also plays in this level.
In level 3 a parent can set up pictures of the child or others and have it appear on the screen. I have not played around much with this level as my child is still on level 2 but I will update this review once my child gets to it.
The keyboard fits down over most standard keyboards. When a key is pushed on the child's keyboard, it pushes the keys on the adult keyboard underneath. I have not been able to get the child keyboard to fit well enough that my child does not pull it off. Also, not the whole keyboard is covered so my child would sometimes push other keys and the playing window would minimize. He plays with the software now without the keyboard but often has to come get me when the screen gets minimized. This software does not disable other actions from being performed when the screen is minimized so if your child tends to pull the keyboard off or uses it without like my child, make sure you keep an eye on him or her. My son has changed the computer's resolution, deleted programs and other things he shouldn't be doing. Just a word of caution.
Overall, I like the software that comes with the keyboard, but the keyboard itself could use some improvement.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 22.00
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
mcfarlandx4
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Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 0 members
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