To Leap Frog or not?

Counting_Pennies_2

I wonder if you can all help. I am considering getting a Leapfrog reading system for Christmas for my DD who is 3.

I was aware of these when my DS was little (now 6) and as I had all the time for him, I didn't feel the need as we did the reading together. (My DD does get several stories with me each day!)

I am looking at finding an alternative for my DD who wants to do everything her brother does. When he does his written homework, she wants to join in, and the same with reading.

My DH will be starting a new job in just over a months time when he is likely to be unavailable to assist with the children during weekday evenings, previously my DH would sit and do my son's homework with him while I kept DD busy, and playing with her toys don't interest her when her big brother is home. She wants to do everything he is doing.

So my question is what do you think of a Leapfrog reading system. I think I am after the type that you point the magnetic pen to the book and it reads to her. Not sure how much they are, if they still exist and if they captivate their audience, or just end up down the back of the sofa. I am not looking for it to be educational as such, more an entertainment.

If anyone can give their personal experience I would be most grateful.

Many thanks

SkintGypsy

My daughter has one, bought for her birthday last year when she was 4. One year later and I have no idea where it even is! She likes us to read to her, so she doesn't get the same kind of enjoyment from the book reading to her. Shame, but I totally understand why.

webitha

same as SG im afraid, dont waste your money. all mine have had one and lost interest very quickly

maisiescamp

Same here I'm afraid, I bought one a few months ago for my DD1 aged 4 nearly 5 and it was a waste of money especially as the books are quite expensive too.

She had a go with it the day I gave it to her but soon lost intrest, she has had a few more goes since because I have prompted her to use it but it only ever lasts a few mins.

It has 2 modes, one where is reads each word individually as you run the pen across and the other is where you touch the first word I think it is and then it reads the rest of the page automatically. However my DD1 finds neither one entertaining or appealing.

Sorry OP!

ailuro2

My DD had a leap pad, she/we used it as a toy rather than a reading tutor. We still read to her, and talked about letterland, numbers etc. with her in daily conversation.

She loveher leap pad, it was one of our better buys along with her megasketcher.:) Polly pocket and dolls mostly got ignored even though she liked them and asked Santa for them.


Different kids play in different ways, so it's up to you whether you think she will enjoy it or not. At her age it's definitely a play thing, but there are different age groups in the books so it should last her a few years.

Rather than a leap frog / pad why not first get her a letter and number workbook where the kid traces over the numbers and letters - it helps hand eye co-ordination and you can "mark" her work like a teacher would, if you think she would enjoy that. Her big brother might like one too, they're good for tidying up writing too, even once they know how.:)

Sambucus_Nigra

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

So my question is what do you think of a Leapfrog reading system. I think I am after the type that you point the magnetic pen to the book and it reads to her. Not sure how much they are, if they still exist and if they captivate their audience, or just end up down the back of the sofa. I am not looking for it to be educational as such, more an entertainment.

Can't you point your magic finger at the words and read to her yourself.....or get her brother to read some with you to her?

blondeonblonde

my dd got a tag system last christmas aged 3 and loves it. its great in the car or when you just need some peace! have got her 3 new books for this year so may just depend on the child? hth

Rainey_LB

We got my DS the Leapfrog & my DD the My First Leapfrog at the same time, too be honest, the novelty wore off very, very quickly and the extra books etc are not cheap.

webitha

i do agree with ailuro about the mega sketcher, mine all had one and played with it til it walked to the bin itself it was that used :rotfl::rotfl:
my 11 yr old wants a new one for xmas as his that we bought him for his 5th birthday has finally given up the ghost and the girls wont let him use theirs :rotfl::rotfl:

Counting_Pennies_2

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Can't you point your magic finger at the words and read to her yourself.....or get her brother to read some with you to her?

I think I plainly made my point that I do read to her. I am looking for something to amuse her while I give my son 90% of my attention for his homework.

She has me the rest of the day to point my magic finger

Spendless

My DD had one and wasn't interested. If your LO won't play with her toys whilst her older brother does his homework, would she watch a dvd/listen to an audio book or colour a picture instead whilst you supervise him? How much homework (timewise) is he getting btw?