Leap Into Learning With The LeapFrog LeapPad!
Written: Aug 23 '01
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Pros: Educational, fun, easy to transport, covers vital areas of learning.
Cons: Books can get costly, and cassettes are small and easy to lose.
The Bottom Line: I HIGHLY recommend the LeapPad Learning Center for any child who wants to learn how to read, or improve their reading skills!
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| ImAmes's Full Review: Leap Frog Leappad Learning System |
I absolutely LOVE my daughter's LeapFrog LeapPad Learning Center! We found this two years ago at Christmas when it seemed to be running on every commercial! We are always looking for something new and fun that will educate our daughter while she plays. Normally priced around $30-$40, we found it to be a great deal during the Holiday Season at $24.99 at Wal-Mart! I couldn't pass it up- so our then 6 year old opened it up on Christmas Day!
The Leap Pad comes in a fairly large box which includes the reading console, along with a book called "Leap Into Learning." The box is quite colorful and descriptive, so if my or someone else's epinion doesn't get you hooked- the advertising on the box will!
Upong opening it, there was nothing to "put together." Just alot of instructions on how to use and what to do when it acts up or does not work properly. So let's begin the description shall we?
The LeapPad consists of a teal and white had plastic cover that not only holds your book, but is the main source of battery power for the cassettes used with the other books.
A white and black polka-dotted pen, or "magic wand," is your child's primary link to connecting with the electricity of the book. The child's book is placed in the middle, and rests comfortably, but not securely, so it will not stay in place if picked up while the console is open. This is key to remember when using this with toddlers who can get rough and out of control some times. The book runs on 4 Double A Batteries, which you should have installed and ready to go, BEFORE you hand your child this neat invention!
So how does this help your child read? It is quite simple and very clever! You can use the LeapPad in many different ways. The first and most intended way to use this, is to use the wand when reading. How you ask? First, you would chose the book and tape of your choice to read from. You insert the small cassette that coincides with the book you are about to read. Then you turn the on/off button on (yes- it has one-THANK GOD!!). This button is located on the right hand corner where you would open the console. Open your console, and then open your book. For example, the book that comes with it I will use to talk you through all the AMAZING things the LeapPad can do!
"Leap Into Learning" book is filled with wonderful tools for your child to start off with. The book is intended for ages 4-7 or grades pre-kindergarten and 2nd Grade. The book starts off with a fun and light story that introduces you to the Leap Frog Gang called "Lil's Loose Tooth." Each book you read will concentrate on one area, this one focuses on phonics development which teaches how to pronounce words and learning how to sound them out.
To begin reading this cute story, you must first use your wand to touch the green GO button. If you touch nothing else, the book will begin to read the book to you. What I LOVE about these books are the options!! These include the SAY IT, the SOUND IT, the SPELL IT, the Games, and then the exploring you and your child can do!
SAY IT: Using this will enable you to touch any word and the LeapPad will say the word- nice and clear.
SOUND IT: Many kids today have a hard time sounding out the words, this helps so much! Touch any word and the LeapPad will clearly ennunciate each word for a better understanding.
SPELL IT: Spelling is another tough one for kids, use this feature to spell out any word in the story. Just glide the wand carefully along the bottom of each word, and it will spell clearly for you!
THE LEAPPAD: On the bottom of each reading page, is a picture of a leap pad. This is the games button, and when touched will ask you a number of questions in the form of a game. Or the characters will talk among themselves and ask each other to count or sing the alphabet- more learning!
THE PICTURES: On each page are beautifully illustrated pictures that also have words next to them saying what they are. Touch something in the picture, such as a character or object, and they will talk and make noise- lots of fun!
VOLUME: Too loud? Can't hear it? Every 2 pages in the book contains triangles on the bottom with a plus and minus sign to increase or decrease the volume- you may want to set it before Junior gets his hands on it!
The other stories in this book are Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever and Winnie-the-Pooh's A Sweet Good Morning.
"Best Word Book Ever" focuses on vocabulary development, and "A Sweet Good Morning" helps children understand the set-up of a story. This includes characters, setting, plot, and theme.
Between the two stories is a educational page about parts of the body. The diagram is of a bear, not man or woman, which I feel is better understanding for a small child. Using the wand you can touch any part and the LeapPad will state what they are and ask questions about what YOU have!
After the Winnie-the-Pooh story are a variety of pages on the basics of what you learn in grade school. These include learning the types and sounds of different instruments, exploring a colored map of the United States, learning the bones of the body from a diagram of a human skeleton, things we do at home, and a keyboard that you can play like a real piano!
My favorite is the map of the United States. Here you can touch buttons to find out each Capital, State name, distance from one state to another, square miles, population, and density of people to each area. Play the game EUREKA and you are timed on what states you can find and how fast. Miss something? Hit the repeat button! Directions are also on the top of the left page, so when you can't find a state, they will tell you it is in the Northwest, etc..
You can touch the stop button at any time, it will stop whatever activity you are doing. And of course, little ones are not the best on shutting toys off. The book will automatically shut off 5 minutes after the last item was played. You will know it has shut off when the LeapPad says "Bye-Bye."
The LeapPad has a variety of books available from the Leap Gang, along with classics like the Secret Garden and others. We have several of the Winnie-the-Pooh series and each one comes with it's own cassette. These cassettes MUST be attached to the front of the book, or be kept in you care, because they can EASILY be lost- and without the cassette, the book will just be a book with none of the LeapPad interaction. The books run $14.97 each and I have found them at Wal-Mart and Toys R Us.
Our daughter has played with several times since that Christmas, and I have had to only replace the batteries once. If the sound gets bad or it starts to short out, replace the batteries as soon as possible and if that does not work, contact the LeapFrog company at their website or company information located on the box or imprinted on the back of the console.
Transporting this neat system is easy, insert the cassette before leaving home, along with setting the book inside, and then close it shut. When shut correctly, the book WILL NOT fall out while carrying it. The console has been dropped coming in and out of the van, but it has never stopped working. Watch for little fingers when closing the console, it snaps shut, so watch so not to pinch!
I can't stress enough what a vital tool the LeapFrog LeapPad Learning Center is for every child to learn how to read or improve their reading skills. It had done wonders with our oldest that she will be in accelerated reading this year in 2nd grade. It makes a difference, and can make one in your child's life too!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 24.99
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
ImAmes
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Member: Amy Joy
Location: Midwest
Reviews written: 174
Trusted by: 215 members
About Me:
Love cures people- both the ones who give it and those who recieve it.
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