Tickle the ivories, have fun, learn a little
Written: Nov 10 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: fun, right-sized toy keeps baby happy, busy
Cons: I'd like to see a "quiz" mode re: shapes & colors
The Bottom Line: This durable toy is a reasonable value at $15 -$16, it should keeps kids happy between 6-24 mo, and to some extent, to 3 yrs.
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| kentmom's Full Review: LeapFrog See and Learn Piano Toy |
OK, I'll confess I bought this toy without consideration for the recommended age. It's intended for kids 6 months "and up" and my son is 2. Still, I'm glad we've got it at home--and in the car.
As a Car Toy it's a winner because of its size (it's essentially 7"x7"x7") and relatively palatable volume (this is the first LeapFrog toy I haven't needed to put tape over the speaker to maintain my sanity! The "low" volume setting is actually OK...or, maybe my hearing is going.)
As a musical teaching toy, it's not going to create any maestros. The "mistake free" music mode plays a couple of bars of the song when each key (any key) is pressed. The "regular" piano mode plays just one note at a time, and my son likes that best. Because he' so much older than the minimum recommended age for this item, I wasn't surprised to learn that he can switch between "learning" (shape and color naming) mode and the music modes.
About those shapes and colors... this part held his interest the least. Then again, he's always been in love with music, so I wasn't surprised. I'm happy when he does listen to the shapes/colors prompts, however, as the recording goes beyond naming to describe the shapes in full sentences. After the first round "red circle"/"yellow star" becomes "circles are round, like wheels"/"stars shine brightly." I think this is enough for the one-and-under set, however, the toy could captivate an older audience (and get more $$ from mom & dad) if it had a quiz element, ie, "can you press the circle?"
But back to what the toy does do... it does make a good lap toy for a longish car ride, at least for an older child who can hold the toy capably.
The advertised benefits:
-"introduces colors, shapes, instrument sounds" (I think it lives up to this statement)
-"piano play encourages baby to tap out tunes and helps develop baby's fine motor skills" (true enough for an older infant; no challenge or skill-builing for the 18-mo & up crowd)
-"twinkling lights, upbeat music and tactile shapes on piano keys stimulate baby's senses" (OK, I can't disprove this, but I don't think the all-plastic raised shape provide much tactile thrill. For that, get a book or blanket that introduces rough/smooth/soft/fuzzy/hard items)
-"Mirror play enhances baby's self-awareness and helps stimulate interest in other babies." (This I'll buy--and I should note the mirror is a good size, nearly 3" diameter, so it's as big or bigger than most mirrors-built-into-toy type mirrors.)
Bottom line: This durable toy is a reasonable value at $15 -$16, it should keeps kids happy between 6-24 mo, maybe beyond.
Other features:
+easy-to-hold handle on top, right size for little hands
+takes 3 AA batteries, included with toy
+weighs approx 12 oz.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 15.99
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
kentmom
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Location: Kent, Ohio
Reviews written: 209
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Mundane middle-aged Midwest soccer mom & cycling, self-employed cyber-worker who loves alliteration.
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