LEAP into Learning with the LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone
Written: Apr 07 '05 (Updated Dec 04 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: ● Entertaining
● Sleep mode saves batteries
● LARGE library of books available
Cons: ● Additional LeapPad books are expensive
● Pen malfunctions
● Requires batteries
The Bottom Line: Overall, I’m satisfied with the quality of the LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System, but question it's REAL educational value.
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| marybatson's Full Review: LeapPad Plus Writing and Microphone Learning Syste... |
What is a LeapPad? A LeapPad is a battery-operated platform that’s designed to make learning fun. Children 6-months to 12-years can enjoy the different types of LeapPad products ranging from the very basic, LittleTouch LeapPad, to the most advanced, Quantum LeapPad. The books are specially designed, and range in subject from phonics, reading, math, science, geography, foreign languages, to music. The LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System is geared to children 4 to 8, but is compatible with the Quantum library as well. Have I confused you yet? Well, this was my problem when looking for our 1st LeapPad. There’s too many LeapPad choices. In addition, there’s so many books in the library, I wasn’t sure where to begin. Neighbors have always been a good source for me, so that’s where I started. I tried the original LeapPad, the My First LeapPad, and even the LeapPad Pro, which has been discontinued. I read a ton of reviews, and happened upon Shawna’s review of the LeapPad Plus Writing Learning System. It seemed to fit my son’s level, so I suggested it to grandma when she asked what William might want for Christmas. She chose the LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System instead, which was probably a better choice. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!
If you already know what a LeapPad is, and how it works jump ahead to the PLUS features.
When spying a LeapPad for the first time one might think it’s a child-size laptop computer. It’s made of hard plastic, and opens similarly with a press release. A LeapPad is basically a reader with a speaker, and a wand, or pen. By placing a LeapPad book on the reader a child can hear a story, play games, and learn. The wand has a sensor that comes to life when it touches any of the characters, or pictures in the LeapPad books. The pen is attached via cord, and stores inside the unit. The books include a corresponding cartridge that insert on the side of the unit. The volume is controlled through the LeapPad books. A plus (+) and minus (-) sign appear on the bottom of the pages. All you do is tap the signs with the pen to raise, or lower the volume. There’s a jack for headphones, and the system includes an automatic sleep-mode, which activates after several minutes of non-play. The unit requires 4-AA batteries, which are NOT included. One must use a Phillips screwdriver to replace the batteries, and the battery compartment is located on the back of the unit.
To begin playing, place a LeapPad book in the reader, insert the cartridge, press the On/Off button, and touch the GO button on the edge of the page. One must touch the GO button every time you turn the page, so the LeapPad can identify the book, and specific page. The books are intuitive, and guide the child along. They are spiral-bound, and are made of sturdy paper. The LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System works the same as the original, except it features a built-in microphone, a slot for the eraser, and a Magic Pencil for writing. This system is smaller than the original, 9” x 12”, which is slightly larger than a standard piece of paper. When opened it measures 18 ½” wide.
The features of the books vary depending on the age group, and format. For instance, the Phonics books have icons, and when pressed, it reads the text, hears words spoken, heres the phonics sounds, spells a word, and offers a definition. There are games, and activities appropriate for the age group as well. The Music books have songs on each page, and when the icon is pressed the book can sing the song with the music, play one note at a time, play a syllable at a time, provide the name of the note, teach the song line by line, or even change the instruments playing the song. The Math, Reading, Science, Geography, and Foreign Language books all have similar features, such as the text can be read aloud, and the games correspond to the topic. There are over 80 books available in the library for children up to 12-years of age.
What are the PLUS features all about?
Microphone
The microphone only works with microphone enhanced LeapPad books. These books feature a red circle for recording, and a green triangle for playing back the recorded sounds. The icons direct children to read along, or to hear their own reading of the story. In addition, there are activities, and games to play. As with the regular LeapPad books the narrator prompts the child along through the sections. The built-in microphone is stored inside the unit with a catch release. It’s easy for little fingers to flip-up, but BIG fingers might find it difficult to release. The microphone is a wobbly little thing that measures 4” long, and is hinged on a roller ball. I found the sound quality is actually best when left in the platform. The recorded sounds are decent, and definitely enhance the fun factor of this toy.
Magic Pencil
The writing features include a stylus type of wand, and a standard pink eraser. The stylus wand is basically a housing unit for the Magic Pencil. The stylus can be used independently, or with the pencil insert. As with the microphone aspects, special books are available for the writing attributes as well. When using the writing books, the pencil must be inserted into the stylus, and switched to writing mode. All you do is twist the cap to expose the lead. The Magic Pencil must be in non-writing mode for standard LeapPad and Quantum books. Unlike a standard mechanical pencil, the Magic Pencil automatically feeds. When the lead runs out, it can be replaced with either Pilot, or Pentel 0.7mm lead.
The Books
The LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System includes 2-books: Reading, Writing & Math and More, and A Collection from the LeapPad Library. Both books are multi-subject books that are rated Pre-K to 2nd Grade. They are short excerpts from the LeapPad library, and serve as excellent introductions to the learning system. The purpose of these books is to entertain a child for no more than 2-hours, so the consumer will buy more books.
Our Experience:
LeapFrog products have disappointed me in the past, so it took a lot of research on my part to consider a LeapPad for my son. I’m satisfied with the quality of this toy, but question the OVERALL educational value of the LeapPad books. The plaything amuses my son for hours at a time, and when traveling, which we do frequently, it’s a godsend. William took to the LeapPad immediately, and was able to operate the features of the books with little assistance. He’s not yet 4, but instinctively follows along even though he may be working a Kindergarten book.
LeapFrog has very few books that are microphone enhanced (only 7 so far), and the stores don’t seem to stock them. My husband was able to find one at Staples of all places, but he didn’t happen to notice it was for 1st graders. My son was so thrilled we opened it anyway. Initially I thought the microphone feature was ridiculous. I couldn’t understand why a parent would want to hear their little one chatter back to a noisy machine. Part of the purpose of this toy, is to encourage quiet time, and learning. Right? Well, this feature has proven to be entertaining, and has the potential to be educational especially when working on phonics. A pair of headphones really comes in handy when listening to your child play the microphone enhanced books. I definitely recommend headphones for travel!
The writing aspects of the toy encourage me for the future. We have 2 Writing books, in addition to the Writing book that came with the unit, and they have gotten a lot of use already. When in writing mode, it’s one on one interaction between parent and child. These books work without the pencil insert, and sometime William opts to work them that way. Unlike some of the regular LeapPad books, the Writing books do have potential for an educational element. Both of the Pre-K, and Kindergarten books teach children how to trace letters & numbers, work mazes, draw shapes, and so forth. I question the age recommendations on the books though, as my child has already mastered the Pre-K book, and understands a good portion of the Kindergarten book. LeapFrog has recently added more Writing books to their library, so they are not as limited as the microphone enhanced books. My biggest problem with the writing feature is the erasing time, and that erasing crinkles the pages. It might have been better had LeapFrog designed this product with a dry erase insert. Dry erase is SO much easier, and faster to erase.
This brings up another problem I have with the LeapPad in general. The books are expensive. If one pays the suggested retail price of $59.99 for this product, and adds just 2 books at 14.99 each, that’s $90.00 bucks! I personally don’t think the books are worth the suggested retail price, so I buy them when Toys R Us offers them at 50% off. Ebay has also been a good source for half-price books.
We have encountered cord malfunctions too. The first time was user abuse. My son bit the stylus pen, and must have damaged the cable. William is a lefty, and even though the cord is long at 16”, it must annoy him, because it’s installed on the right side giving right-handed folks more room to work. I recently discovered the replacement pen is malfunctioning too. I went ahead and ordered 2 more pens at $5.00 each. Toy stores carry replacement pens, but they don’t offer the stylus wand yet. In desperation I purchased a regular wand thinking it would adapt, but it didn't. If you own this system you'll wait 2-weeks for LeapFrog to mail the stylus pen. Because of the malfunctioning problems, the LeapPad is a somewhat supervised activity. I definitely don’t trust my son with the Magic Pencil yet, and since I’ve already paid $15.00 on replacement pens, I can’t quite image how much more I’ll be pouring out on additional books, batteries, and stylus wands. I’ve replaced the batteries once, which isn’t bad considering he's played with his LeapPad for hours upon hours during our recent trip to New England. In addition, I don’t trust him to remember to put both the book(s) and cartridge(s) back in his backpack when done. Thus, for the meantime, I control that aspect of play.
The LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System works with the entire LeapPad library, except for the My First LeapPad books. LeapFrog selects the maximum age recommendation for this product to be 8-years old, so that it will confuse consumers into purchasing the Quantum LeapPad four-years later. This platform is compatible with the Quantum library, so there’s no need to buy another LeapPad. Overall, I am satisfied with this toy, and my son really loves it.
Many thanks to Suzanne for adding the LeapPad Plus Writing & Microphone Learning System to the database for me.
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
Telephone: 1-800-701-LEAP (5327)
1400 65th Street Ste. 200, Emeryville, CA 94608-1071
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Pacific Time
www.leapfrog.com/
Additional LeapFrog Reviews:
Alphabet Pal
Discovery Ball
Fridge Phonics Magnetic Set
LeapPad Book Reviews:
Mother Goose Songbook
Lots and Lots of Honeypots
Tad’s Great Day at the Letter Factory
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $49.99 Gift
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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marybatson
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Member: Mary
Location: Phoenix
Reviews written: 169
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