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This fantastic "smart toy" from electronic toy
experts, LeapFrog, fits
in a preschooler's lap. It flashes and talks, and teaches
early phonics from letters and letter sounds to three-letter
words.
Featuring
buttons designed to look like lily pads and labeled with lowercase
letters, this toy reinforces and teaches the alphabet expertly.
Six modes of play accommodate children of varying skills,
interests, and ages. The most basic mode allows kids to press a
letter and hear it spoken aloud. In another mode, the toy
challenges preschoolers to find specific letters. A phonics mode
helps kids identify the letters and the phonics sounds they make.
The final two modes involve three-letter words--kids are
challenged to spell given words, or they can attempt to build
their own! Parents who imagine their child discovering
inappropriate or taboo words will be pleased to know that these
are blocked from the toy's "vocabulary".
Kids
can always press the music button to hear the alphabet song as
they play. The toy is also quite portable--its size is ideal for
little laps.
Vowels
are cleverly distinguishable from consonants--these buttons are
green instead of purple. This opens up an opportunity for
parents to discuss their importance in word-building.
This toy is hugely educational,
and equally as entertaining. It is affordable too at approximately
$19.95 US.
UPDATE: See the latest model
of the LeapPad: LeapPad Plus
Writing.
Pros:
- Both free-play and
directed modes.
- Children develop
alphabet recognition, phonics, and word-building skills.
- Educational and
entertaining at the same time.
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Cons:
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Toy Guide
| Electronic Toy |
By: LeapFrog |
Ages 3-6 |
Published: 2001 |
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