This New For Us Friday, I’m totally excited about a new product from LeapFrog designed especially with younger kiddos in mind.
And I’m not at all surprised that though I originally handed it to Cora, that Maddy and Owen have been vying for the LeapFrog Story Time Pad for the last few days.
It’s new, and it’s a ‘pretend’ tablet modeled after most adult tablet readers.
I happen to have three kids who loooove to grab my cell old phone, and they walk around talking on the phone, engaging in conversations with people real and imagined. So when I heard that the Story Time Pad was a ‘pretend’ tablet, I immediately thought about my kids and their cell phones.
What I realized, after we really had a chance to try out the Story Time Pad, was that though it’s not as fancy as our other LeapFrog products, there was no pretending that the device does have real educational value for little ones.
And I am so totally over the moon that I have a LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad to give away to one lucky teach mama reader. Hoooray!
Here’s the skinny:
- LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad: It may not be a ‘real’ tablet reader, but it holds up to five stories, nine songs, and three ’emails’ at a time, and it really does contain elements that help pre-readers build early literacy skills.
The Story Time Pad is a sleek and incredibly lightweight device that little ones can easily hold in their hands.
There’s no stylus to use; rather, the raised buttons on the pad make button-pressing easy, and children can choose to play with letters by pressing the yellow abc button, read ’email’ by pressing the purple envelope button, listen to a story by pressing the blue book button, or hear music by pressing the orange musical note button. It’s simple and intuitive. It’s actually a bunch to keep them busy without being an overload or intimidating.
Even Brady wanted in on the LeapFrog My Story Time Pad!
Set-up is incredibly easy with this device–like all LeapFrog products, parents can download the LeapFrog Connect Software for the Story Time Pad, and in a few minutes, it can be personalized.
I added Cora’s name to our device, so when she turns it on, she hears the same friendly greeting that she loves with her Tag Junior: Hello, Cora, or Hi there, Cora. When she heard it the first time on her Story Time Pad, she literally danced.
I was also able to personalize it further by adding Cora’s favorite color, food, and animal so that the stories she hears would contain those familiar elements. I then chose five stories, a few special email messages, and music–both with lyrics and without–to make it even more meaningful experience for Cora.
I was pleasantly surprised with this product; it’s a really great first inexpensive ‘tablet’ for young kids, and I honestly appreciate its simplicity and design. Sure, the graphics aren’t even close to as crisp as with the LeapPad or Explorer–it’s very basic–but it does the job. It’s a super starstarter electronic device for kids two years or older to explore.
And I am betting if I had a few of these for my 3 1/2 hour solo trips to and from Pennsylvania with three kids, I would have had three happy–quiet!–travelers.
Overall, we especially appreciate and love the following about the LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad:
- the quality — this device is sturdy, durable, and kid-friendly;
- the weight –it’s light enough for little guys here, there, and everywhere;
- the texture and size of the buttons is great for developing fine motor skills;
- the icons on the alphabet, email, story, and music buttons clearly identify their purpose and the paw in the center is the ‘enter’ button;
- that it can be personalized (yay!) so kiddos hear a pleasant greeting when they begin and when they end and sometimes in between;
- that it includes games and music;
- that kids can type basic messages and see them on the screen;
- that parents can monitor their children’s progress if they want to–if they don’t want to, and they don’t need to;
- that like all LeapFrog products, it’s designed with kids and parents in mind–the games are fun, engaging, and educationally focused without being boring, and parents can track their children’s learning on the LeapFrog site in seconds.
We wish:
- that the graphics were just a wee bit better;
- that the stories were a wee bit longer–(they could use some ‘meat’, as they are short and sweet);
- that there was a way to save or share the short messages kids type.
GIVEAWAY: One LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad!
Do you want to win one LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad??!? (Give it to your kids now or save it for holiday time!)
- All you have to do is leave a comment here (with email address!) explaining who will use the LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad if you win it.
For extra entries:
- Tweet this: Win a @LeapFrog Story Time Pad on @teachmama — just in time for the holidays! http://wp.me/p1NAxy-1ik #weteach #spon #ece
- Share this post on your Facebook page–very easy!
- Share this post with a friend (just tell me who you shared it with!)
- Pin this post (or another favorite teach mama post!) on Pinterest! (Use ‘pin it!’ button below post and just tell me what you pinned!)
By entering this giveaway, you are demonstrating your understanding of and compliance with the Official Sweepstakes Rules.
This contest ends on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at midnight ET. Winner will be chosen by ‘And the Winner is. . .’ and will be notified on or around 12/10/11. Winner must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected. All Official Sweepstakes Rules apply.
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fyi: We have had the opportunity to try the LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad, as I am part of the LeapFrog Review Program. All of the opinions here are my own, influenced only by the feedback of my three kids (7, 6, and 4 yrs) and my own experience as an educator and parent. This is an unsponsored post, but my family was given the LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad to review. LeapFrog will provide the LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad to the winner.
Angie K.
I think my 2 1/2 year old would use this the most, but my 7 year old would probably like it too! Thanks for the chance!
Michelle Nero
My twin daughters would love the LeapFrog Pad! However, we’ll probably have to purchase a second one so they can each learn and play!
Kristah
How cute! My daughter loves little gadgets. We have a Leapster Explorer that has a few stories on it, but I think she would like something that would have more story options.
Janine Tartaglia
As a mom, auntie, and teacher, I believe there’s no better gift than the gift of reading! Although I feel there’s nothing like a good book, books are competing with an enormous overload of technology and to keep up, you truly have to start them young! I’d love to win the Leapfrog my own story time pad for my two young nieces who live in FL. We read all kinds of books through Skype and this would be a fun, new way to share stories together. What a smart new toy
to take reading adventures to a new height!
Karyn
What a fabulous giveaway! I would love to win this for my little ones.
Kristen McKenzie
I homeschool my second grader and, unfortunately, my three year old sometimes can get a little board. I think she would love this Leapfrog Storeytime Pad so help her from not getting board. It’ll also be great for her and I to use during out one on one time.
Kristen McKenzie
It would help if I could spell bored, that’s what I get for typing with my 3 yr old squirming on my lap! Lol!
Jen
My 4 and 2 year old sons would love this! Thanks for another cool giveaway!
Tommie Sue Schindler
It sounds great! I’d love to have it to use with my two little granddaughters.
tina
I would love this for my daughter.
Jen @ lil Mop Top
I would love to use with the youngest kiddo. We are getting an ipad for Christmas so this would be a great alternative since I am way to nervous to let him use the ipad right away! 🙂
Thanks!
Jen
jfj8935 at hotmail.com
Jen @ lil Mop Top
I shared this on my facebook page.
🙂
jfj8935 at hotmail.com
Laura
You sold me — especially with the tempting promise of quiet travel! Sounds like a great toy- Ella would love it!
Bethany
My 3.5 year-old son would be the primary user of this, but his littler sister will very likely want to get in on the action. lol
Sue
My granddaughters who I babysit would be using this. (after Grandma plays for a while)
Wendy Talbot
I’m a homeschooling mom of 4 so I would love to win this leap pad for my 4 and 2 year old to keep them busy when their big sisters are still doing school. We love our Tag readers and this would be another great educational toy for our arsenal!
Also I pinned your math bingo on my pinterest page yesterday:) We played for a good 40 minutes yesterday. The kids loved it and were thankful that they got to eat the bingo markers when we were through; they were m&m’s.
Gina
It would be for my twin 5yo girls.
Gina
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/MoneywiseMoms/status/135388197369823232
Jamie
The light of my life, my 19 month old son Cameron, would LOVE the story time pad! It’s definitely going on his wish list!
Cheryl
I’d be sure that all 3 of my kids shared this (ages 1, 3, and 7)!
Natalie
My daughter would love to have this as her new toy for the car.
nat8199 AT hotmail DOT com
Jennet
My son would LOVE this! He’s almost 2 and plays with Mommy’s cell phone ALL the time… I’d LOVE for him to have his “own” smart toy!! 🙂
Brandy
There is a little boy I know, 2 1/2, who has had a hard little life so far…I’d give it to him.
Andrea
My son and daughter would love one of these!
Nicole
I have a 4 year old who would love to have a tablet reader like mommy. He is starting to learn to read and loves trying to sound out words everywhere.
Mandy
My almost 4-year-old would LOVE this!
Staci A
My nephew is 4 and would love it!
Christina
I would love this for my daughter… and I know she would love it too! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Christina
tweet – http://twitter.com/#!/MyAngelEryn/status/135600185358303232
Christina
shared on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=238612509532021&id=100000331861765
diana
My DD’s Would love this. They are fascinated with books or anything to do with books, we have the leapfrog tag pen and it gets used everyday
Jackie Higgins
I bought my 3 year old a leapster explorer for Christmas. This would be the perfect gift to give to my younger kiddo, Tyson who is almost 2! He could feel like a big boy and then grow into the toy.
By the way, I could relate to your story, Tyson carries anything and everything around the house saying, “hello” into it. He loves when he can actually snag my phone, though!
Lindsey Aylward
I would love this for my son. He too likes to walk around talking on his pretend cell phone. He’d love to have his own tablet like mommy and daddy’s.
Deb Lestch
I would use this in my class for 3 year old’s who don’t sleep during rest time. This is a great tool to keep the kids quiet, but busy during this time of day.
Lauri Daniels
I think my 3 1/2 year grand daughter would enjoy this. She want to be read to quite a bit and also enjoys the computer.
[email protected]
Lauri Daniels
https://twitter.com/#!/LauriDaniels/status/135927532036947968
I tweeted @ Lauri Daniels
GretchenP
sounds perfect for my 4 year old son! thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
Heather Theall Gaspard
Think my 3 yr old twins would love this. Especially the girl. She is so into books.
Kim D.
My daughter would us the LeapFrog My Own Story Time Pad if I won it.
mom22girlz at ymail dot com
Kim D.
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mom22girlz/status/136359799498616833
Kim D.
I shared this on FB http://www.facebook.com/mom22girlz/posts/165084623587887
Allison
My 3 year old daughter would LOVE this!!! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
Allison
I also posted this on my personal Facebook page & pinned one of your activities on Pinterest. 🙂
Robyn Hill
I will be working with my one and a half year old daughter on how to use it, and how to start reading. Thanks!
Emily Denson
We had a little girl in September and we would love to use it with her when she gets older. She has 4 adorable cousins that would love to play with it when they come over!
Christelle
My son who is struggling with reading would probably have a lot of fun with this and it might encourage him 🙂
Erin Zackey
Fun! I think my daughter would be most excited about this and since she’s my second I know she’d be excited to have something of her own with it!
Danielle Meek
This would be for my 2 (almost 3) year old, and I’m sure my 5 year old would use it too!
[email protected]
L Boyd
My own little Maddy will love using this!
Lpb911@ hotmail.com
Angela Spicer
My 3 1/2 year old would LOVE this! But I also have another turning 2 next month. Thanks for the entry.
Angela
Angela Spicer
Just pinned you, but I can’t figure out how to tell you what I pinned without commenting. I pinned your site as a great resource for teaching little ones while they play.
Waleska/Javier Adorno
My little Princess, she have an oldest version but, do not work very well already. So this new one, is an excellent chance for hers Christmas gift!!
Rebekah
My 3 year old son would love this! Thanks for entering me.
rjmsurvance at yahoo dot com
~Bekah
http://www.sonshitetotschool.blogspot.com
Cari King
My son will use this.
Jennifer Jean
My 18mos old son would love this! 🙂
Gizala
I would love to win this for my daughter. She is constantly wanting to use her Dad’s iphone and experiment.
Gizala
I pinned your activities with magazines post!
Colleen
I would love to get this for my nephew who is just learning to read. My kids are 3 and six and i love Leapfrog products– helped my kids learn to read early and want to pass that along to my nephew.
Julie
My four year old who is way more tech savvy than his older brothers were at that age would love this as a holiday present!
Shanna
My 5 year old twins would love this!