LeapFrog LeapPad

The LeapPad includes a nifty software system that combines a "magic" pen with an interactive book designed to help children spell, follow a story and improve their vocabulary and concentration.

Users simply place the book onto the pad, take up the pen and follow the story. They listen to the story being read aloud first, then go over the words again with the pen, choosing whether to say the words, spell them or sound them phonetically. Each element encourages the child to join in, helping to develop an understanding of the sounds each word makes and how the words fit to form a sentence, and then a story. The real fun starts when the pen touches one of the characters: the slightest touch makes them speak and giggle along, adding a further dimension.

Included in the LeapPad reading scheme are: an excerpt from Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever, a good starting-point for vocabulary development ; a Winnie the Pooh story, especially designed to build confidence and story-reading skills in young readers; a page dedicated to different parts of the body, where the child is encouraged to identify and then spell out the words; an impressive section about musical instruments and an introduction to foreign languages which involves choosing an everyday activity then choosing to hear the words in French, Spanish, German or Japanese.

You don't have to understand how the technology works; all you need to know is that this is one of the most impressive, yet simplest, reading and learning system you are ever likely to come across, combining some of the most basic elements of learning with some of the most complex. But the real strength of this product is that it is fun. Children will find the interactivity irresistible, and will enjoy hearing sounds and playing the games that are, without them even noticing it, encouraging them to learn some of the most important skills on the road to adulthood. Requires 4 x AA batteries (not included). Ages 4 and up. --Susan Harrison

Children can practise their reading skills with interactive books such as Pooh Gets Stuck, Bounce Tigger Bounce, Best Little Word Book Ever and Things To Know.

Manufacturer's Description
Voted the No 1 Educational Toy and People's Choice Toy of the Year 2000 in the USA. The LeapPad is a revolutionary product, which literally brings paper books to life! LeapPad will introduce your child to the magic of books and learning. With an included 30-page "Leap into Learning" sample book, featuring reading with Winnie-the-Pooh, vocabulary with Richard Scarry, phonics, music and foreign languages, the LeapPad is a whole new way of learning to read. LeapPad phonetically sounds out letters and spells words, bringing characters on the page to life. The LeapPad has been completely rerecorded with British voices for the UK market and complies with the National Curriculum. Your child will be enraptured by the 20 interactive learning games and activities included.

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