With Finn going off to school next year, it brings on a whole lot of emotion and worry. Is he ready?
Finn has always been an active learner and picks up anything he is taught very quickly. He learnt the alphabet before he was two, could write his name before three and was ready books just as he turned four. You ask him to go outside and kick a ball or sit and read and it would always be reading first. It sounds like we are bragging right? but having a smart kid also means ensuring he is constantly challenged and ALWAYS learning new things.
When he turned four, he transitioned in to four-year-old kinder which helps children get school ready but is still very much play-based. At home, we took it upon us to ensure he was still getting that educational learning that he would be exposed too at school. I’ll admit that when it comes to parenting, I am more of the “let’s go play at the park or go somewhere fun” parent because my patience is limited whereas Chance can sit down with Finn and teach him how to sound out vowels or show him how to write letters to make words. I credit that time Chance has spent with him to how quickly Finn has learnt how to read books and write stories.
When you’re a parent and life is hectic, it can be really hard to find the patience to sit down with our kids and help them learn but it very valuable. I need to remind myself often to slow down and take some time out, whether just half an hour to really engage with him and help him with certain activities whether it be mathematics or learning about body parts (and hey, you might just learn something yourself!). I also can’t stress the benefits of reading and talking to your child from a very young age (even if they can’t understand you!). We started reading books with Finn when he was a baby and although we have been a bit slack with Leo, we have started reading to him before bed and I talk to him about everything! It really does wonders for their vocabulary and you’ll be surprised at what they pick up from what they hear you saying.
For those moments when you’re finding it hard to sit with your child (and we all have them), that is where great products like LeapFrog’s latest gadgets come in.
When it comes to screen time, I do like to limit it as much as possible but sometimes there really is a need for it (like when I just need a five minute break!) or when we are travelling. When it is needed, I like the interaction to be something that he is learning or helping him to gain a skill. LeapFrog have released their latest gadget, the LeapStart Interactive Learning System that aims to hep get kids excited about everything from counting to problem solving by having them partake in fun re-playable activities that teach life and school skills.
The system offers more than 400 activities across 16 books (sold separately) and each learning level teaches more than 50 key skills. How it works is by first installing each book through the online portal (only takes five minutes) and then clipping one of the 16 books in to your pad to start playing along. Attached to the pad is a easy-grip stylus that the kids can use to interact with the system by touching different areas that will activate audio responses. Everywhere they touch they will get to play a range of activities like responding to trigger questions, problem-solving, songs, jokes and lots more.
I loved a lot about this toy including the adjustable volume button (ha!) but also the way it kept Finn engaged by asking him questions at every turn and helping him to problem-solve with hints and clues. He loved learning about things like where different animals came from and it was great that it was teaching him things he did not already know (and that’s a challenge with him!). The learning pad is nice and compact and folds easily making it great for travelling or taking in the car.
Activities included ABCs, counting, shapes and colours but also things like problem solving, creativity, health, early maths, team-work and school routines. The age range is for 2-7 year-olds and Finn definitely got a lot out of it so I look forward to trying it out with Leo as well.
As far as helping your kids to learn and preparing them for school, the interactive learning system is a wonderful product. I am so happy with how engaged it kept Finn and even though he knows a lot already, there were definitely areas he was caught out on and he spent plenty of time trying to problem-solve to work it out. It also teaches him to slow down and listen to what the toy is saying and that is something he needs to learn for school.
What I do love about LeapFrog toys is every product offers some form of learning, no matter the age of your child. Leo has also been playing with his Step & Learn Scout, which encourages him to exercise his gross motor skills by walking with Scout (or pushing him along) and also engages him with fun phrases and animations that introduce letters and numbers. Finn also loved it and it was beautiful to watch them playing and having fun together.
The LeapStart Interactive Learning System retails for $79.95 and Step & Learn Scout (suitable for 12+ months) is $34.95. LeapFrog toys are available in September from Big W, Toys R Us and selected toy retailers. With Christmas coming up, it’s a great gift idea to put under the tree!
To help encourage your kiddies to learn, we have a great giveaway for one of my readers! The prize pack is valued at almost $100 and includes a Scout’s Learning Lights Remote, a Step & Learn Scout and a Count Along Register. To enter, simply head to my Facebook page!
Fore more info on these Leapfrog toys, head to their website http://www.leapfrog.com/en-au/home.
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