LeapFrog ClickStart My First Computer: Tech Toy Review

New educational toys are constantly being created to help instruct young children so they will have the necessary skills to succeed in school. LeapFrog is one such company that has consistently developed and marketed educational toys with this purpose since 1995.

In July of 2007, a new LeapFrog creation was introduced. This interactive computer system is called the LeapFrog ClickStart™ My First Computer.

LeapFrog ClickStart is a wireless keyboard that turns any TV into a computer. It is designed for children ages 3 - 6 years old. It comes with four games, with two levels of play, that stress skills needed for school and simple computer literacy. Level 1 play is for beginners and Level 2 play provides more challenging mouse and keyboard activities for children over the age of 4. The child-sized mouse can also be converted for left-handed or right-handed play.

The Leapfrog ClickStart™ has received numerous awards including the 2007 Mom-Tested Toy of the Year Award by Parenting Magazine and the 2007 Outstanding Product Award by iParenting Media Awards. The LeapFrog ClickStart™ was also mentioned in the New York Times where its' article endorsed the product by saying, "For education and fun, it's never too early to give a preschool child a starter computer."

So, should you run out and buy this latest toy craze? As far as companies go, LeapFrog is dependable when it comes to making educational toys that encourage a child's curiosity and free expression. Over the years, I have bought several of their products such as the LittleTouch™ LeapPad® Learning System, Learning Friend® Lily, Baby Tad, the original LeapPad® Learning System and the Learning Drum. Those are just an example of the LeapFrog products that I have brought. I could name many more.

Why are LeapFrog products so well received? They are high quality toys that engage all the senses of a child. With the ClickStart™ system it is introducing children to the high-tech world of computers in a setting that is age-appropriate for them. In a report from the NPD Group, Kids and Consumer Electronics, it was discovered that ". . . kids are using consumer electronics at ever younger ages." Most begin using this type of electronics beginning at age 4.

The ClickStart™ retails for $59.99 on www.leapfrog.com. Besides the price, the only other reservation one may have is the limited functions that this system has. Your child will be restricted to playing the pre-programmed games. Once they have mastered those games, parents can purchase additional add-ons at the LeapFrog website, but the selections are slim. I only saw two extensions available for this system; a ClickStart™ Learning Carnival and a ClickStart™ Dora the Explorer: Friends! Amigos!.

Although I have a huge respect for LeapFrog and their products, I will not be buying this product for my preschooler. The NPD Group, Kids and Consumer Electronics was correct in how young children are when they start to discover consumer electronics. My preschooler (who is 3) has been using our regular household computer for about five months now. There is a wealth of educational software available that costs less than $20 that we can install on our computer and she gets the same benefits as the LeapFrog product and she has more choices for play. We monitor her play carefully and know that she is not going to accidentally access something that could cause harm to the computer.

However, if you don't have a computer in your home this is a much cheaper alternative and your child will get a jumpstart on her computer skills which will be a necessity for success in school and beyond.

The LeapFrog ClickStart™ system is available online at www.leapfrog.com. You can also find it at major retailers like Target and Walmart. I noticed that Target actually sold more add-ons than the LeapFrog website did. You may want to check that out.

No matter whether you choose to buy this product or not, I can personally say that LeapFrog is unfailing in delivering products that will inspire success in your child. You cannot go very wrong with a LeapFrog product.

Sources:

The New York Times - June 28, 2007 (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/28/technology/circuits/28computer.html)

LeapFrog (www.leapfrog.com)

Target (www.target.com)

Walmart (www.walmart.com)

NPD (http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_070605.html)