Leap Frog learning systems- question for teachers/parents

[Cheyenne]

I saw an article over the weekend that said the Leap Frog learning systems will be the #4 hot toy in the list of the top 10 for this Christmas season. Any of you teachers/parents have experience with these products? What do you think of them?

I have some relatives I'd like to purchase them for, but from what I saw looking at them in the store, I'm not sure. The "level" seems off to me. The stuff they have for kindergarten and 1st grade is stuff my preschool niece already knows- counting and the the alphabet, for example. The product looks good to me, I'm just not sure which item to buy for which age child.

 

[amelia]

some of those toys are good. i have had them in my class before. i noticed that children got bored with them fairly quickly. kids have more fun with toys that have more then one use. i always recommend art kits and books when parents ask me what to get a child.

playdough, markers, crayons, glue, scissors...stuff like that.

 

[Weird Harold]

The "level" seems off to me. The stuff they have for kindergarten and 1st grade is stuff my preschool niece already knows- counting and the the alphabet, for example. The product looks good to me, I'm just not sure which item to buy for which age child.

I too have noticed that the "recommended age levels" on toys are very conservative. My general rule of thumb is to buy something that is one year above the age of the child I'm buying for. If it says five to eight years, it's suitable for a four-year-old's birthday present.

 

[Cheyenne]

They have plenty of art supplies, and the oldest loves books so I buy those for her already. She even teases me about getting through some of them faster than I do (I'm catching up on some childhood reading I missed the first time around.) I'm looking for something extra besides the every day kind of stuff.

Would computer programs that are "learning" related be better than a whole learning system? They have access to the family computer, so software is a possibility, too.

 

[Cheyenne]

Re: Re: Leap Frog learning systems- question for teachers/parents

I too have noticed that the "recommended age levels" on toys are very conservative. My general rule of thumb is to buy something that is one year above the age of the child I'm buying for. If it says five to eight years, it's suitable for a four-year-old's birthday present.

That's exactly the age groups I was looking at, too!

 

[amelia]

the leapfrog systems are good. i agree with what weird harold said. buy something that is a little bit advanced, so the child can 'grow' into it.

there is a ton of appropriate software out there. Good Luck!

 

[Weird Harold]

Would computer programs that are "learning" related be better than a whole learning system? They have access to the family computer, so software is a possibility, too.

Since you're looking for five to eight ranged gift suggestions, I'll check with my grandaughters and see what eductional games they've got for their computer -- they've got a pretty wide selection. I know the younger one spends hours playing with Clifford The Big Red Dog, but I'm not sure which of several available programs featuring Clifford is the one she has.

(the younger turns five next month and the older will be nine in April.)

 

[SweetCherry]

I bought my daughter one of those when she was 4. She taught hreself to read with it in no time at all. My son, who's going to be 5 next month, will be getting one as well. He's already readong on his own, but he's going to love it. They're more than worth the money. My local walmart had them marked down to $39. I checked online someplance and they're trying to get $60 for them. Shop around.

 

[Jewelz]

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[calypso_21]

My daughter, 5, has the LeapPad and absolutely loves it. The different levels of books are confusing but I think they still have fun. Take a look at the activities involved if it looks like the child will have fun then go for it. I got her a story that was well advanced for her age group but the wand reads the story to her so she is still benefiting from it. Also she is learning patience...if she swipes it too fast she misses the story. She also is learning the correct direction to read. It really is teaching her a lot. I don't use this as a self teaching method though. I'm usually with her while she is reading and we still have bedtime stories.

My son, 2 1/2 has an alphabet phone from the same company and loves it. I hate it, but he enjoys it...in his room. They are designed in a way that no matter how it is played, whether with original intent or not, the children still learn something. My daughter has fun playing with this toy and he with her LeapPad.

 

[SweetCherry]

Calypso, your 2 1/2 ye old might enjoy the "My First Leap Pad". They're much similar to the other ones, but more sturdy. The books are easier and have less activities, but they're still good.

 

[calypso_21]

Calypso, your 2 1/2 ye old might enjoy the "My First Leap Pad". They're much similar to the other ones, but more sturdy. The books are easier and have less activities, but they're still good.

Thanks SweetCherry...I think my daughter has already added that to his Christmas list.

 

[Coolville]

Re: Re: Leap Frog learning systems- question for teachers/parents

I too have noticed that the "recommended age levels" on toys are very conservative. My general rule of thumb is to buy something that is one year above the age of the child I'm buying for. If it says five to eight years, it's suitable for a four-year-old's birthday present.

Indeed. My 8 month old boy is crazy about all his toys that are for 12 months +.

 

[SINthysist]

My kid wore hers out.

Getting another one.

The key is rotation of learning materials. She does tire of after a day or so, so we put it up. Two weeks later, it is fresh and fun again. I agree that the age is too conservative for most kids.

 

[Draco]

I bought my daughter one of those when she was 4. She taught hreself to read with it in no time at all. My son, who's going to be 5 next month, will be getting one as well. He's already readong on his own, but he's going to love it. They're more than worth the money. My local walmart had them marked down to $39. I checked online someplance and they're trying to get $60 for them. Shop around.

Totally off the subject...but can I play "Leap Frog" with your AV...?
OOPs..I forgot to jump.....

 

[Cheyenne]

My daughter, 5, has the LeapPad and absolutely loves it. The different levels of books are confusing but I think they still have fun. Take a look at the activities involved if it looks like the child will have fun then go for it. I got her a story that was well advanced for her age group but the wand reads the story to her so she is still benefiting from it. Also she is learning patience...if she swipes it too fast she misses the story. She also is learning the correct direction to read. It really is teaching her a lot. I don't use this as a self teaching method though. I'm usually with her while she is reading and we still have bedtime stories.

Okay, for the 5 year old then you got the regular LeapPad and not the My first LeapPad? Are the books the ones for 2nd grade and higher or the ones for the pre-school to 1st grade? That second set is the one that I thought looked too easy for the one who will be 5 soon.

There was also a quantum Leap pad for 3rd-5th graders, I think it was. I was going to get that for a 3rd grader, and hope that it isn't too easy. Of course, her sister is a 5th grader so she might want to use it, too.

 

[modest mouse]

Does anyone else think Cheyenne is cute?

(In the womanly, wanna have coffee way, of course)

 

[calypso_21]

Okay, for the 5 year old then you got the regular LeapPad and not the My first LeapPad? Are the books the ones for 2nd grade and higher or the ones for the pre-school to 1st grade? That second set is the one that I thought looked too easy for the one who will be 5 soon.

There was also a quantum Leap pad for 3rd-5th graders, I think it was. I was going to get that for a 3rd grader, and hope that it isn't too easy. Of course, her sister is a 5th grader so she might want to use it, too.

LoL...I didn't get it for her...it was from "Santa". She would have been bored with the My First LeapPad. We have flipped around in the levels. Got her one for her age and then got one for 3rd grade (it was Scooby Doo). I don't think I could say get this age group over another. It is all in the individual child.

No matter what you buy for one...the other will want to play with it at some point. That much I'm certain about.

 

[april-wine]

Cheyenne....If your neices and nephews have access to a computer go with the software......My neice has a leap frog and though she enjoys each new book when she gets it, it doesn't take long before she has it mastered and is bored.....This does not happen with computer software.....BTW my neice is 5, and in kindergarten, but does the leap frog software intended for grade 1 and even a few grade 2 level.......

 

[jennaflower]

I think that Leap Frog products are one of the best things to come around for a very long time.

Last year, for christmas I bought my son the leapfrog Pad.. it was a great gift and I don't regret it. Yes, it is a bit expensive, but it was a worthwhile investment considering the time he has spent over the year using it. I am fortunate that I was able to find a few more additions (books) for it for this coming christmas as well.

In addition to the Pad, he also recieved to Math thingys (cylinder computers) that help him on his math, quizzes him, and helps teach him the rules that he will need for math.

This year (and I am REALLY Excited about this), for christmas I have bought my son a Leapfrog Globe. Once again, it is expensive but I have little doubt that my son will make it worth it. It is an interactive globe that (with the touch of a pen) teaches him about the world and the specifics of places (population, language, currency, history) and quizes and plays games.

So.. obviously.. I would highly recommend it for any parent/teacher. OH.. leapfrog has brought out an older version of the leap pad this year.. called Quantum Pad.. and that looks great too. I also saw a commercial for a hand held older version which allows kids to download from the books that they use in school

 

[The Heretic]

Would computer programs that are "learning" related be better than a whole learning system? They have access to the family computer, so software is a possibility, too.

I loved the National Geographic mags my grandparents subbed to when I was a kid, so I got the Nat. Geo. CD set for my nephew and neice figuring it would be good for their schoolwork, etc. - they were pre-teen and teen. They just ignored it and were very dissapointed that it wasn't the latest vid game. Your sibling's kids sound like they might like them though - of course it depends on the ages.

 

[sunstruck]

I swear with all the learning toys they have today if kids don't grow up to be ten times more educated then their parents we are doing something wrong.

My neicefews are so advanced I have a hard time keeping up with them. I was a voracious reader (which believe it or not is one of the reasons I can't spell) but I had no head for numbers. I transpose them. My 4 year old neice can multiply. MULTIPLY. Not high numbers, but she understands the process.

We took marbles and asked her to show us what 3x3 is and she made 3 piles of three marbles. At five she got confused, but she wouldn't get up till she figured it out. It's almost scary.

 

[sunstruck]

STG why did you change your name? Why is everyone trying to confuse me???

 

[Cheyenne]

Does anyone else think Cheyenne is cute?

(In the womanly, wanna have coffee way, of course)

Coffee it is, you just need to come visit my part of the country some time to get it.

 

[The Heretic]

STG why did you change your name? Why is everyone trying to confuse me???

I changed my name because I felt like it. *shrug*