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710 of 719 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational, Fun and State-of-the-Art, October 7, 2000
Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
Nevermind what age the manufacturer suggests for this product, a child as young as 12 months old can enjoy the pictures, music and stories.I bought this for my two year old twins who ADORE it! One problem with twins is the "share factor". Both, however, may enjoy the Leap Pad Learning Center at the same time. Although they must take turns with the stylus, they enjoy the stories and games together. My only complaints with this product are that it is a paper paged book. As often as my children play with it, the book won't be able to withstand the wear and tear. Also, despite touching the attached stylus (pen) onto the green "go" button, sometimes the reader does not correctly respond to which page you are on. Having to touch the stylus to the green "go" button at every page is a bit annoying, however, with as much use as we've had, it becomes habit. Too, if you do not, the Pad verbally reminds you to do so. The book sits on the Pad, which must lay flat on a flat surface to work properly. There is much to do on every page. You can turn the unit on or off with a touch from the stylus and raise and lower volume. You can command the Pad to read the page to you or to read to you words that you touch, or alternatively, to sound out the words. Each page also can be commanded to play songs or to play games. You may even touch objects for sound effects. Another benefit the Pad offers, is that it may "grow" with your child. There is much to do on every page and at different skill or age levels. For example, after the toddler has mastered the states, he/she may progress to distances and populations within those states. This is important to me, as I have purchased educational products which my children tire of after they've learned what it is the item offers and educational toys are not inexpensive, particularly if you are providing for more than one child. My twins, a boy and a girl, now newly turned three, enjoy the Pad equally, despite their very different interests, which is rare in my household. My son has learned all of the states on the United States map, which is depicted in the included book. Because of the Pad, he can identify them by name and by sight. We are now working on state capitals. Again, my son has only recently turned three. My daughter prefers "reading" and can sight read a handful of words and is working on sounding them out with phonics. I'm a believer in both sight reading and phonics, so this is ideal. Again, I'm impressed that this Pad provides activites that interest both boys and girls, with varied and different interests and at different skill levels. The enclosed, included book contains stories with characters familiar to young children, such as Pooh. It includes anatomy, learning skeletal system; Geography, with the U.S. map; Music, with a page with a piano keyboard as well as band/orchestra instruments; And the stories, which promote reading. The games encourage critical and analytical thinking, noticing details and recognizing letter/sound relationships. The book itself promotes fine motor skills, helps develop auditory and visual discrimination, visual perception and noticing details, in addition to the topics described above. As a former teacher and a parent, I highly recommend this product. It epitomizes "making learning fun". I haven't seen an adult who has played with ours who is able to put it down either!
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