Edutainment products - are they toys that educate or just fun gadgets?
Gadgets? Love them! Gadgets that teach? Even better. Yes, I'll admit it--I love gadgets and I love technology and I'm a fan of toys for children that teach and entertain (also known as "edutainment" products). But I'm also quite hesitant about an abundance of video games for kids (they should be playing outside, making mudballs, catching toads, riding bicycles and scooters, in my opinion). So, I try to be selective about the toys or gadgets that my 5-year-old son Jack spends a lot of time with.... and I hope to use this blog as a forum to showcase some of the best technologies being utilized in toys today. I hope to research and share with you what new techie things are out there for kids--websites, podcasts, new devices, toys and other gadgets--and what benefits they may hold for you and your children.
As I thought about topics for my first blog, I decided to check out what kid gadgets were ranked as the best for 2009. One product consistently listed was the new Tag Reading System by LeapFrog. I have to admit, too, that I'm a fan of the LeapFrog products that we've tried at home. My son received this reading system as a gift and we've been using it since December. This reading system is highly rated and deservedly so--we love it! It's easy for a 5-year old to operate (target age is 4 to 8) and interesting enough to engage him for the whole story. The set-up that adults need to complete is easy and requires a computer (Mac or PC) and an Internet connection. The Tag Reading System consists of a "pen" that "reads" specialized books and other reading materials. Your child selects words or sentences to read; special icons to play games or answer questions; or pictures on the page for other hidden goodies. The "pen" reads everything aloud based on what your child selects. It's interactive and fun. One of the best features is the ability to track how your child is using the pen. The software with this pen allows you to connect to an online tracking system, the LeapFrog Learning Path, which keeps track of your child's activity and gives out rewards online for meeting goals.
We've used the reading system as a supplement to building my son's reading skills. In kindergarten, he's learning to sound out words phonetically and this system allows him to point to words and to hear them pronounced correctly. The system also claims to build skills in reading, vocabulary, word building and reading comprehension. I've found the design of this toy to live up to those claims. However, some of the most entertaining features are the sound effects and the games. One of the books, Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise has numerous sound effects (you can just imagine) that send Jack into a fit of giggles. So, yes, it's entertaining but it is also educational.
For more information:
www.leapfrog.com/tag
www.leapfrog.com/learningpath
As I thought about topics for my first blog, I decided to check out what kid gadgets were ranked as the best for 2009. One product consistently listed was the new Tag Reading System by LeapFrog. I have to admit, too, that I'm a fan of the LeapFrog products that we've tried at home. My son received this reading system as a gift and we've been using it since December. This reading system is highly rated and deservedly so--we love it! It's easy for a 5-year old to operate (target age is 4 to 8) and interesting enough to engage him for the whole story. The set-up that adults need to complete is easy and requires a computer (Mac or PC) and an Internet connection. The Tag Reading System consists of a "pen" that "reads" specialized books and other reading materials. Your child selects words or sentences to read; special icons to play games or answer questions; or pictures on the page for other hidden goodies. The "pen" reads everything aloud based on what your child selects. It's interactive and fun. One of the best features is the ability to track how your child is using the pen. The software with this pen allows you to connect to an online tracking system, the LeapFrog Learning Path, which keeps track of your child's activity and gives out rewards online for meeting goals.
We've used the reading system as a supplement to building my son's reading skills. In kindergarten, he's learning to sound out words phonetically and this system allows him to point to words and to hear them pronounced correctly. The system also claims to build skills in reading, vocabulary, word building and reading comprehension. I've found the design of this toy to live up to those claims. However, some of the most entertaining features are the sound effects and the games. One of the books, Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise has numerous sound effects (you can just imagine) that send Jack into a fit of giggles. So, yes, it's entertaining but it is also educational.
For more information:
www.leapfrog.com/tag
www.leapfrog.com/learningpath
Comment
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Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on May 13, 2009 at 1:12pm -
Walter the Farting Dog! That's just the book my son is reading in this picture. Hee hee...
As for LeapFrog products, I completely agree. They're wonderful and keep kids hooked. My kids have grown past the learning-to-read stage, but we saved our LeapFrog products and intend to pass them on to my niece and nephew when they're ready to begin reading. Thanks for the detailed, well researched post, Jane!
© 2010 Created by Elizabeth Shugg.
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