My First LeapPad is a fun, interactive way to introduce first learning concepts to pre-school children and is aimed at those who are not old enough to appreciate the LeapPad Interactive Reading System. Like the award-winning LeapPad before it, My First LeapPad is based around a software system that combines a "magic" pen with interactive books, in this case aimed at helping children recognise shapes, numbers, colours and first letters and words. The concept is simple enough: clip the "Leap's Big Day" book (included) on top of the First LeapPad, insert the cartridge into the station on its side, and press the green "Go" button. Each page has a different activity: choose from "Counting Farm", "Parts of the Body", "Count and Sing Express" and many, many more.
Visually exciting and very colourful, the illustrations are all self-contained, each centred around a situation that helps reinforce one or other first learning skill. For example, in "Parts of the Body", basic body parts are labelled, and if you press the "game" button, you are invited to press parts of the body while singing along to "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". You can even choose a different body part for the song, and change the title! In "Leap Hopped on a Train", relatives are tested, as readers are asked to point with the magic pen to the item "under Leap's arm" or the person "standing next to Tad", and so on. When you get to the end, simply turn the book around, and instead of single exercises, you can follow a series of scenarios that together make a full story.
The music is lively, and volume is adjustable. The First LeapPad is bold, chunky and wipe-clean, and all wiring and batteries are well hidden behind screwed-down casing. A handy handle is just right for little fingers, and it even gives you a warning when your batteries are running out.
The "Leap's Big Day" book is also sturdy, made out of durable, wipe-clean cardboard and strong plastic binding. Though the unit is technologically quite complex, the learning principles behind My First LeapPad are traditionally simple, based on repetition, reinforcement and good old-fashioned fun! Parents will probably need to spend time helping and encouraging youngsters as they get to grips with the unit, and the only thing to remember is to press the green "Go" button each time you turn a page.
Recent research has shown that the younger a child is exposed to letters and numbers, the earlier they will begin to learn how to count and write. My First LeapPad is undoubtedly a learning aid that will foster this progression and give your children a helping hand as they set out to learn. The only additional thing you will need is a backpack or bag to store the books, unit and cartridges safely together. --Susan Naylor
Aimed at pre-readers, the manufacturers recommend My First LeapPad for children aged 3 years and above. Requires 4 x AA batteries (not supplied).
Also available: Pooh's Honey Tree - My First LeapPad Interactive Book.
