By BERN MORLEY.
Children these days are super smart and I can’t help but think that they are way more tech savvy than we were at their age. That’s probably because the term “tech savvy” was yet to be invented in 1982 but it’s also more than likely because we didn’t have access to a tablet computer with an ‘i’ prefacing it. It’s no big deal now to see a 2 year old confidently swipe the lock screen, input a password and start playing a game that involves both flying fruit and machetes. And this is a little troubling. For a few reasons.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by LeapPad Ultra. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.
Firstly, a regular tablet computer isn’t all that hardy and I don’t know if you’ve been involved with a 6 year old lately, but let me tell you, being gentle isn’t high on their agenda. The other, more troubling aspect is that essentially, it’s an adult’s computer. With full access to the internet. Let me just let that sink in. We all like to think we are watching our children 100% of the time but this simply isn’t true.
That’s where the LeapPad Ultra comes in. I remember the now almost rudimentary LeapPad system my now 14 year old had when she was little. It had a “magic” pen that was dragged across the words to read out loud to her and that she’d read along to. She was particularly enamoured with Scooby Doo at the time and I can safely say that I can attribute her ease of learning and love of reading, to this system.
Now of course, that old system has been superseded and been brought very much up to date and into 2013, yet LeapPad’s core values have remained the same – to make learning fun.
The LeapPad Ultra tablet for kids has a camera and just like Mum’s, it can take both photos and videos. No more asking for your phone to take a selfie (no matter how cute that may be). The LeapPad Ultra has, get this, both front and back inbuilt cameras. Add to this the art studio and peer to peer gaming ability and I can tell you, this truly is a thing of genius. The best bit? My son was learning and he didn’t even realise. Most importantly, it’s kid-tough, built to be dropped on the floor accidentally or *ahem* built to be thrown to the ground in a temper tantrum. Built from the inside out JUST for kids, it has child friendly controls and, an ultra-tough frame with a screen designed for a child’s sometimes light fingered touch.
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Top Comments
Deciding what's best to purchase when it comes to educational tablets is exhausting. I appreciate your review and the information you provide. I purchased Vinci Genius for my kids, I think LeapFrog products are also great options.
My kids are too old for Leap pad now, we bought numerous LP stuff years ago. Personally I think kids aren't stupid, if you aren't playing it (and are sitting on an iphone/ipad etc) they arent going to be interested for more than a few days (they may go back to it now and then)
Our kids have ipads, but only get the wifi password when I can supervise, they have a heap of great games that are educational (ok, they have Minecraft as well)
For me, i wish years ago I hadnt wasted my money on the leapfrog fridge magnets, the leappad reader etc. When you want your child to lean you should be teaching them, anything electronic is fun...well that iis what kids think it should be anyway.