There’s something about technology which aids in the enthusiasm of a child’s learning. None more so than my school girl, Denny. Spending the first year and a half of her academic journey focusing on spelling, reading and writing, we all but forgot that the issue of numeracy existed. Numbers and their theology do not flow off the mind easily for everyone, my daughter included. The LeapStart® 3D Learning System offers an interactive learning experience that draws on familiar pop culture references from Disney characters to Paw Patrol and more in its bid to help kids get to grips with words and numbers.
A support for literacy and numeracy for 2-7 year olds, each touchpad device comes equipped with a Stylus pen and a USB cable for parents to connect their system to a computer and install the relevant programmes. This then gives access to the LeapStart™ library, which includes over 400 activities that invite kids to problem solve, engage their powers of creative thinking and navigate such challenges as Cars-inspired time trials and Incredibles-themed math mazes. Each reader (sold separately) within the library contains more than 30 activities to encourage learning development.
The little black pop-up screen featured at the top of the touch-pad projects cute animations to further boost the fun of learning and encourage young minds to persevere with the challenges set out for them. Varying levels of difficulty enable children to move at their own pace, growing in confidence with the accomplishment of each level before stepping up to the next one.
A number of activities are ready available on the LeapStart® 3D Learning System but the addition of one of the activity readers, which simply snaps into place along the centrefold of the touch-pad offers the variety to improve the overall learning experience.
As you will discover upon the initial installation of your LeapStart® 3D, following the simple steps included in the box, there is the option to purchase and install the audio for any activity books you wish to add to your child’s learning experience. We chose Maths in Action in order to provide Miss 6.5 with a selection of fun tools to further her fluency with numbers.
It has undoubtedly been a slow start but her excitement and engagement, not least with using the attached stylus pen to navigate the activities, are helping to counteract her uncertainty when it comes to working with numbers.
One thing I will add, particularly when it comes to kids and technology, is to make sure once they’ve finished using it at any one sitting, that it is turned off at the green power button. We learnt the hard way that leaving it on drains the batteries.
The LeapStart® 3D Learning System retails at $89.95 with each additional LeapStart activity book retailing at $19.95ea.