Getting Ready For School the Leapfrog Way

I've got a kindergartener and a preschooler this year.  It's a crazy, wacky time, and sometimes I fail at getting the books read to them in the timely fashion.  Yeah, I've got older kids who can read to them, but they aren't always delighted to fill in for me.  That's why I was so delighted when the lovely ladies over at The Parent Bloggers Network asked me to review the Leapfrog Tag Reader and the Savvy Source Quiz. 

Having a child with a little bit "different" of a learning curve makes learning to read challenging.  Luckily, the skills that she might be lacking in were covered in the quiz - see that long widget over on the left sidebar?  It asks questions in a multitude of areas, and then personalizes activities and games for your child, based on how he or she scores.  The quiz was super fast and very straightforward. My daughter came out well ahead in a few areas, and lacking in others - pretty much exactly where I thought she'd be, but it was great to have the reinforcement.  It recommended toys and activities that would help increase her weaknesses. One other awesome bonus - the widget is income generating, and they are looking for more bloggers, so if you'd like to add it to your sidebar, leave me a comment here. 

Along with the quiz, I was sent the brand new Leapfrog TAG reader and a few books.  My two younger daughters ATE this product UP.  They loved having the stories read to them, and it was neat to hear all of the different voices and inflections that the Leapfrog team chose - in particular, the Kung Fu Panda readers were hysterical.  Ozzie and Mack had my older kids creating nonsense rhymes, and listening to the reading of Chicka Chicka Boom boom reinforced to me that I'd been reading it right all along. The stylus is pen shaped, and that is a bonus to my kids - I don't hold a pen correctly myself, and I've had my hand slapped by more than a few kindergarten teachers, because I taught my kids the "incorrect" way to hold a pencil.  Using this stylus they learn the proper technique without, or in spite of, me.  I really like the option of levels - the beginner can have every word read to him, and a more advanced reader can pick and chose; say, if there is an unfamiliar word. 

The download was a cinch.  It plugged in to the computer and downloaded from the internet, and was ready to go in just minutes.  I never even needed the instruction manual.  In fact, I walked away at one point and returned to find my ten year old daughter had completed the next three steps.  One other great feature - the headphone jack.  With six kids in the house, there are often multiple DS gsames, GameCube, Computer games and the television playing at once.  Having a headphone jack helps all of us - it cuts down on the overall noise level in the house, and it helps my sensory overwhelmed child have the ability to tune out everything else and just listen to her story. 

I really liked both the Savvy Source Quiz and the Leapfrog TAG.  I highly recommend both.  Many, many thanks to the lovely ladies over at The Parent Bloggers Network for asking me to participate!

Comments

[Melanie]

We've loved LeapFrog products for years, and I've been intrigued by the Tag system. Glad to read a review about it!

I'd be interested in the widget, too - could you share the info with me? Thanks!

[Melissa (Sweet Serendipity)]

Hey babes,
Great review. Leap Frog is a hit at our house too. I'd love to get the widget for this. Thanks!

[Ashley]

We love leap pad products here too! I'd love the widget for my blog.
Thank you!

[Maia]

Sigh. My little sibs LOVE their Leapfrogs but the (foster) kids I work with broke the one we had for the 12 of them. I agree with your review though - they're great!