Pre-K & K Learning Fun! Leap Frog My First LeapPad
Written: Nov 05 '02 (Updated Feb 13 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Durable, Interactive Fun
Cons: Wand Slightly Challenging to Put Away
The Bottom Line: After watching several preschool and Kindergarten children play with the Leap Frog My First LeapPad, I extend 5 stars and a strong recommendation for purchase.
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Leap Frog My First LeapPad |
If you are familiar with my kids and family reviews, it is likely that you realize my adoration for LeapFrog electronic toys. A very special little girl was celebrating her third birthday, so I purchased a Leap Frog My First LeapPad for her. After watching her play with it and handling it myself, I was convinced that I needed to add one to our in-home interactive toy assortment. This was approximately 6 months ago. After watching several preschool and Kindergarten children play with the Leap Frog My First LeapPad, I am able to extend two thumbs up, 5 stars, and a strong recommendation for purchase.
I have witnessed the incredible interest that children of all learning styles partake toward LeapFrog® products. Most impressionable is the fact that initial interest is passed by with a long-standing adoration for these learning toys. Add in the durability factor, and it becomes even easier to understand why I highly recommend these fun-filled learning adventures!
The Leap Frog My First LeapPad inspires children to have fun while learning pre-reading, mathematics, and other skills. They enjoy the narrated stories and the immense interactive options offered by this initial purchase and via the additional books that you might purchase. This durable set is certain to be favored by your preschool or Kindergarten aged child.
Leap Frog My First LeapPad
Recommended For: 3 years and up
Requires: 4 AA Batteries (not included)
The benefits of this wonderful learning toy include:
~ Interactive Electronic Fun
~ Educational
ABC's
Numbers
Phonics
~ Includes
Leap's Big Day Flip Book
Interactive Phonics Bus game
~ Durable | Portable | Attention Grasping
~ Volume Control | Headphone Adapter
~ Battery Longevity | Automatic shut-off
~ Enjoyed By Children 3 through Kindergarten
~ Award Winning
~ Additional Books Available
The negative factor:
~ Additional Books/Cartridges Cost $9.99 – 14.99
~ Wand
a. Is challenging for some children to properly place back onto unit.
b. Might Become Damaged if child is abrasive (However replacement wands can be ordered).
What is it?
The Leap Frog My First LeapPad learning system comes with a 14-page interactive book – Leap’s Big Day and an Interactive Phonics Bus game plate. This interactive learning platform is intended for use by children 3 years through Kindergarten. This unit encourages your child to participate in narrated activities and enforces various skills: math, a-b-c's, and phonics. If you are familiar with the Leap Frog Leappad Learning System (http://www.epinions.com/content_51940724356) this unit is similar. However the LeapPad is intended for children 4 years and up. In our family we refer to the Leap Frog My First LeapPad as the tadpole *smile*. Although my children are 7 & 12, I operate an in-home daycare / preschool, and often have little guests during the evening and weekends. Thus justifying the purchase. Yes, as previously mentioned, I am slightly addicted to the LeapFrog line of electronic splendor.
This unit is 12” wide, 8” from top to bottom, and approximately 2” deep. On the left side there is a cutout, allowing for a handle configuration that is perfect for the hand size of the intended audience. The Leap Frog My First LeapPad is lightweight and it is easy for young children to tote. A welcomed attribute is the automatic turn-off feature and volume control.
An interactive wand attaches to a ball that is embedded into the bottom edge of the LeapPad surface. This rotates; allowing the wand to move toward the direction your child pulls it. When not in use, the wand fits into a groove along the right side surface. The wand on this unit is slightly chubbier than that found on the Leap Frog Leappad Learning System and it has raised grip circles, all of this contributes toward the utensil being easy for young hands to hold & use. This serves as a stylus, activating the functions of the LeapPad. The pen/ball mechanism can be changed via access through a trap door on the back of the unit.
Speaking of trap doors, there is a secondary door that opens to expose the battery compartment. You will need to install 4 AA Batteries (not included) prior to use. The battery length is incredible; our LeapPad still has the initial set.
So what do I do?
1. Place the book onto the LeapPad™.
2. Push the “On” button.
3. Turn to page one.
4. Using the “magic” LeapPad® wand, push the green “GO”.
5. Follow the Narrative Prompts to enable the story, play the games, and do the activities.
Includes
Included Book:
~*~ Leap’s Big Day ~*~
Side One – Story Side
Page One – Seven
- Interactive Story about Leap, with games on each page.
Side Two – Activity Side
Page One
- Counting Farm
Emphasis on Numbers 1,2,3,4,5
Find the number game
Find the animal game
Music game
Page Two
- Shapes and Colors
Find the shape game
Find the color game
Music game
Page Three
- Mystery Game
Guess what it is game
Silly sound song game
Page Four
- The Paper Piano
Interactive Piano
White keys are labeled with corresponding notes: c,d,e,f,g,a,b,c,d, and e.
Using the wand, you touch the ‘keys’ on the piano. This plays the corresponding notes.
Optional instrument sounds: trumpet, clarinet, and all 3 together.
Page Five
- What Will I Be Today
Match the picture to the occupation named game.
Rhyming game.
Page Six
- Parts of the Body
Match the body part to the function named game.
Ears, Eyes, Mouth, Shoulders, Hands, Legs, Feet, Toes, Head, Nose, Arms, Tummy, Knees
Music game
Page Seven
- Count and Sing Express
Emphasis on Numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Bigger Than, Smaller Than – Name the number game.
Find the Number game.
Music game
Included Template:
~*~ Bus Template ~*~
When wand is touched to portions of the template various sounds are activated:
Horn = Horn Honks
Bumpers = Horn Honks
Headlight = Crash, Clunk Sound
Windshield = Sloshing Noise
Three Critters = Leap, Nellie, Casey Cat
Rear Wheel = Plays Wheels on the Bus Tune
A through Z = Letter Name
Learning Modes
- Learn
S says sss, S says sss, Touch the letter hear the sound, S says sss
- ABC Letters
Search and Find Named Letter
- A – ah Sounds
Search and Find Letter Sounds
Additional Interactive Flip Books Available for Purchase
Pooh's Honey Tree
I Know My ABCs
Once Upon a Rhyme
Leap to the Moon
Tad's Silly Number Farm
Dora the Explorer to the Rescue
Thomas and the School Trip
Award Winning!
2002
Winner, T.O.T.Y. Toy of the Year Award, Best Educational Product
2001
All Star Award, Children’s Software Revue
Winner,“Great Toys That Kids Actually Need”, Nick Jr. Magazine
Winner, National Parenting Seal of Approval
Winner, Top 20 Toys, KTVU-TV (FOX) Great American Toy Test, San Francisco
Winner, T.O.T.Y. Toy of the Year Award, Best Educational Product
*** Award Information Obtained From www.leapfrogtoys.com ***
Additional Information
For Additional Information Please Visit:
http://www.leapfrogtoys.com/
Happy Reading and Learning!
© 2002 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 29.
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
Lisa_J
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
Reviews written: 1010
Trusted by: 668 members
About Me:
Mom of two wonderfully spirited daughters. Childcare Director. Spectator fan of dance.
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