I am seeking some reviews on 2 items that I am trying to decide between for a Christmas gift. The first is Little Leaps:Grow with me Learning System, and then second is:V.Smile Baby:Infant Development System. I've read reviews on a few store websites, and they all have mixed feelings on it.
Please let me know if you, or anyone you know, own either of these systems and how you like it. Thank you!
Happy Holiday Shopping!
Thank you to everyone who gave me some feedback. However, I feel, from some people that I have been judged for wanting to buy something like this for my son. I'm not above getting out some pots and pans or blocks to play with. I even keep some interlocking funnels and measuring cups in Taylor's toy chest. I don't know why I feel the need to explain myself, but I don't use TV to babysit. I am a very hands on parent. If I do buy one of these systems, I may go for the Leap Frog. Happy Holidays!
I don't know about the Leap Frog system, but the V-Tech V-Smile (the regular one for older kids) is tempermental. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Also keep in mind that neither system comes with a power cord. You have to use batteries or buy the cord which I believe is about $10.
i personally think these toys are GREAT!! we can't discount the fact that our kids are growing up in a computerized world - not the world we grew up in or our parents grew up in - and while i don't disagree that children should be exposed to more creative play (like pots and pans) i fully believe that the more modern forms of play are equally as good. I am married to a public school teacher and i have read studies that prove this theory.
as far as the difference between the two products you are considering - while i dont' have any direct contact with those specifics - i do have contact with other Vsmile and Leap products - and of the two the LEAP products far surpass the VSmile products as far as keeping the child entertained while learning.
I hope that helps!
S. W
N.,
Whatever toy you do decide on, just remember that they are interactive and not just for him. YOU should be sitting with him when he plays. We have a My first Leapad, and my kids will NOT play with it properly if at all unless we sit with them and play along, as is suggested. To be honest, we never use it much anymore. We prefer more abstract play and direct book reading.
I wish you the best!
Blessings,
Rolinda
Wife, Mother, Friend
We have the Little Leaps Grow With Me System and we hardly use it. For my daughter to get anything out of it, I need to sit with her , but she only wants to play it for a few minutes at a time. She would rather spend her time playing dolls or doing puzzles.
I have the Vsmile baby and I don't think its worth it. My son played with it once. I think the game that comes with it is very basic. I didn't bother getting any other games because it didn't hold his attention. Basically, he drags the unit around by the cords. That's the extent to how he plays with it. I wouldn't buy it.
Well, I don't have either of these, so I can't compare them. My comment is just to make sure you know neither of these toys or any other electronic system is really all that "educational" despite their claims. (This has been well documented). I'm not saying they are terible, I'm sure some kids like them, but I think my dollars are better spent on something like toys that kids can build with or pretend-- play tools, play food, legos, blocks, puzzles, trains, trucks, books, etc. Kids will learn their colors and numbers and whatnot much better from these types of play with adults. I know video games are a fact of life these days but babies and toddlers do not need these products.
i dunno bout the little leaps toy but the v-smile baby in my opinion is great if you have a child that will set down and play with it. my daughter got it when she was bout 18 months and she never really sat and played with it. she's too active. so just depends on your child.
I have the little leaps I love it my son is 2 and still plays with it. I beleive that the youngest recommended age is 9 months but I held off until 18 because I tought 9 was a little too young for it.
I bought the Little Leaps:Grow with me Learning System last Christmas when my daughter was 10 months. She loved it! The CD's/Games can be played in 'Interactive Mode' where the child uses the controller or in a continuous mode where it plays like a DVD. We did both and were amazed at how quickly she caught on to how the interactive mode worked. I was also glad to see how well the controller took the beatings she would give it, as 10 month old tend to hit, slam, and bang rather then push buttons. I have to admit we haven't used it in a while, but I will have to take it out and play it with her again and she loves TV, Computers, and interactive things. She is probably ready for the toddler mode now. I was looking forward to the "Grow with the child" ability when I purchased it. I have no regrets and would purchase again.
My mom and dad gave us the V.Smile Baby for our son when he was 18months old... He really hasn't played with it. My husband likes video games, so my son is more interested in the game controller than playing with the V.Smile console. I'm sure it's a good fit for some, but even now that my son is almost 2 1/2, he still shows no interest. Personally, I'm not too fond of the games... I wish they could do more. Hope I could help!
I think both are great. My daughter who is 3 1/2 has had some leapfrog learning toys and they are great. We bought her the VSmile for christmas and we are getting her the internet toy set up I believe by fisher price that hooks directly into the computer. I think the electronic learning toys are great. It is hard for me to say how well your child will take to them they, because my daughter has been always been quick on learning things, she already plays kids games on the computer (by herself and navigates the page like a older child would) and I have an old super nintendo that she plays with just fine. I like things that use letters and numbers also words. That is your preference if you want to purchase those things, even if your child does not play with them right away maybe withing the next year they will. Leap Frog is a great company.
We have the vsmile and I like it a lot. There is a watch and learn feature that my son really likes. It features numbers, shapes, colors, animals, and baby sign language with first words. The animation is cute and grabs his attention. Also the keyboard can be used for play without the game to teach colors and shapes. We bought it for his first birthday and he only played with the keyboard until the last few months where he's been very drawn to the watch and learn. We turn on the watch and learn while he's in his room playing with his toys and he ends up sitting on the bed watching it. When parts come on where he knows some of the things he'll go to the screen and point and repeat the numbers or shapes he sees. I think it's a good tool. I am confident that when he is better with words and communicating he will enjoy the games as well. It is a product that's designed to grow with them. So far that has proven true for my son. My son will be 2 soon and he's now starting to really enjoy the system. I was dissapointed when we first got it and he didn't love it like I thought he would. However I would reccomend this toy.
Hi N.,
I agree with Kim! Great developmental toys (I mean tools) don't have to come from a store's shelf. Most toys are marketed to parents. I have found toy companies to have taken simple, good developmental toys and turned them into light-up, spin-around, sign-a-song wonders. Thinks very basic. Depending on how old your son is, either introduce him to computers via your own system or wait until he is ready for real computing. Good luck.
Baby V smile is the worst game ever! My children did not like it. Also, the power button is the only button that lights up so the vhildren are drawn to always pushing that button instead of the other bottons.
