~~~LEAP FROG MY FIRST LEAP PAD~~~AN INVALUABLE TOOL THAT HELPS MAKE LEARNING FUN, FUN, FUN!!
Written: Mar 11 '04 (Updated Apr 25 '04)
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Pros: Encourages learning in a fun and interesting manner; great toy for preschoolers.
Cons: Requires batteries; kids must remember to press GO with every turn of the page.
The Bottom Line: This Leap Frog My First Leap Pad definitely lives up to its reputation as children learn something new with every turn of the page.
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| melissasrn's Full Review: Leap Frog My First LeapPad |
While shopping for Christmas gifts in late November with my husband, we decided our 3 1/2 year old son, Tristan, needed some kind of educational toy as he prefers to spend too much of his time either watching movies or playing video games (it's a bit scary when a 3 1/2 year old can beat you while playing Mario Kart if given the chance!). I'd read many favorable reviews about this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad, so we located some at our local Wal-Mart. Yet all they had in stock were pink ones, which I assume were designed for young girls. There were no red or blue ones to be found! So we left the Leap Frog aisle a bit disappointed and empty handed. But not too long after, my husband was shopping on his own at the same store and came across a blue model, so he grabbed one before it was gone. Two books were already included, yet we'd need to pick up a few more so he'd have several to choose from when playing. Read on to find out more about this highly recommended learning toy that promotes reading and writing readiness most preschoolers are sure to enjoy for hours on end.
~~~The Learning Toy~~~
Recommended for children ages 3 to 5 years, this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad is easily one of Tristan's favorite toys he received for Christmas, second only to the "4 Wheeler" he got (a Fisher Price Kawasaki Ninja to be exact!) as well as his new Fisher Price Geotrax Railway. According to product information found about this electronic learning system at the etoys.com website: My First LeapPad teaches ABCs, numbers, phonics, pre-reading skills and pre-math skills. Plus, it also plays learning games and musical sing-alongs, engaging preschoolers with words, music and sound effects. Promote reading readiness with this lightweight and portable educational learning system. Children touch, play and learn with interactive Flip Books that feature a story on one side and activities, games and music on the other. Just touch the special Flip Book or Phonics Bus game board with the "magic" pen to: hear words, music and sound effects, Explore the alphabet, discover letter names and phonics or play fun learning games. Comes with Leap's Big Day Flip Book Interactive Phonics Bus game. My First LeapPad expansion book and cartridge sets sold separately. My First LeapPad is not compatible with LeapPad or LeapPad Pro expansion books and cartridges. Requires 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included.) The system comes in three colors that I am aware of: pink, blue, and red. Tristan's model is red and it's the perfect size for lap play or to keep a child occupied during long trips in the car. And not only did he get Leap's Big Day as mentioned above, but he also got a second bonus book with cartilage as well included in the box called Tad's Silly Writing Fair, which helps develop pre-writing skills. So I definitely feel like we got our money's worth when my husband purchased this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad as a holiday gift last year.
The computerized Leap Frog My First Leap Pad itself is constructed of highly durable plastic materials and is made to take a beating. Measuring approximately 12 inches in width and 7 inches in height (and is about 1.5 inches thick), this electronic toy features a magnetic "magic" pen/wand with a 9 inch cord that is attached to the base and snaps into place for storage to the right side of the book area. Near the pen (which is rather fat and easy for a preschooler to grip) is the blue "on/off" switch, and on this same side is the slot for applicable cartilages (note that Leap's Big Day does not require one). On the left side is the blue speaker section as well as a convenient carrying handle for small hands to wrap around for easier portability. On the bottom is the battery compartment, which is not flat but a bit "wavy" for a more comfortable fit when used on your child's lap. The book rings must be snapped into place onto the two slots at the top, yet we've not really noticed that the book comes off too easily as it usually stays in place until we are ready to change it. While this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad is a bit smaller than their larger learning system designed for older children, it's the perfect choice when you want to make learning interesting and enjoyable for children as young as 2. Now I only wish we'd picked this up sooner.
~~~Price & Availability~~~
Pick up one of these Leap Frog My First Leap Pad's online today at etoys.com currently for the regular price of $34.99. I've seen it for sale anywhere from $24.99 to $29.99 right after the holidays, so definitely shop around for the best deal. If my memory serves me correctly, I think my husband paid right around $30 for Tristan's, which is reasonable to me. Pick up a few of the corresponding flip books as well, such as Pooh's Honey Tree, Bob (the Builder) Saves the Porcupines, and Dora the Explorer to the Rescue, just to name a few. We have five books so far altogether, so Tristan enjoys the variety and doesn't have much of a chance to get bored as he can always move on to another story. Each book has two sides, so that doubles the fun learning time. Right now we store Tristan's system as well as his books inside a Sterilite storage box with carrying handles, but we'd eventually like to invest in a Leap Frog backpack to use for travel. So without a doubt, the multiple award winning Leap Frog My First Leap Pad is worth the price and is readily available in most toy stores both online and in your town.
~~~Play Experience~~~
In the beginning, it took awhile for Tristan to remember to press the green GO circle every time he turned the page while playing with this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad. So I'm sure most younger children will need lots of adult supervision until they get the hang of it. Once the book is snapped into place and the blue "on/off" button is pushed, it's time to learn and have fun. There is a story side as well as an activity side to the included Leap's Big Day, which includes many illustrated pictures, games, music, and activities on every page. For example, there's a kite, a train, a boat, a plane, a hot air balloon, and a bus on the story pages while there's an alphabet bus, a counting farm, some shapes and colors, a mystery game, a paper piano, a "What Will I Be Today?" page, a "Parts of the Body" page, and finally a count and sing express train, too. The volume can be turned up and down by pressing either the plus or minus signs with the interactive "magic" pen, so your child is control (which isn't always a good thing if he/she like things loud!). Press the blue button at any time during play and the system will turn off, saying Bye Bye!. Or after a certain time frame has passed with no activity, this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad will automatically shut itself off to conserve battery life. Tristan will literally spend an hour at a time or more playing independently with this exceptional learning toy, and knows most of his colors, numbers, and letters as a result. So I am definitely impressed :-)
~~~Overall Recommendation~~~
Help your preschool aged child become more prepared to learn valuable reading, writing, and math skills with this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad. There are many additional booklets that can be purchased separately featuring many of your child's favorite characters, like Pooh, Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer, and so on. Or learn with both Leap and Tad only if you are lucky enough to get both books with your system as we did. And don't forget that this system is extremely durable, which isn't really optional considering the age group it is targeted toward. For Tristan will sometimes drag it around by the pen (gasp!!), and it's none the worse for wear because of his rough treatment! Once your child learns that he/she must press the green GO button with each turn of the page, the possibilities are endless. Spend special together time and help your child learn and play games as you reinforce that the green GO button must be pressed every time. For this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad is such a highly recommended electronic learning tool that parents, grandparents, preschool teachers, and daycare providers will find invaluable. It's educational, fun, affordable, and extremely versatile, so what more could you possibly want? Good luck and happy toy shopping :-)
***For more information on this Leap Frog My First Leap Pad educational toy as well as many other great developmental choices, check out their website online at:
www.leapfrog.com
Leap Frog Enterprises
Emeryville, CA
1-800-701-LEAP (5327)
***And check out the Leap Frog Learning Hoops Basketball, which is a great learning toy for children 1 to 3 years of age!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): approx $30
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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