Hi,
Just wondering your opinions on which is better for my almost 3 year old- the VSmile TV learning system by VTech or the Clickstart TV learning system by LeapFrog? VTech even has the VMotion and PC Pal too. Anyone have experience with these? There are so many to choose from, I just have no idea what would be best. Thanks!
My daughter has both and has always preferred the Vtech over the Click Start computer! If you get the Vtech V.Smile pocket it can be used on the go and also hooked up to the tv...so it's 2-in-1!
I would definitly go for the leapster leap frog. My four year old got one for her 4th bday and loves it. And the games that you buy teaches alot of different things. We had the vsmile, and it seemed to difficult for her to learn how to use it. It had to many movements to do at the same time, very difficult for her. And the leapster games are good for a few years, ex: Pre-k to 1st, so it has different levels of learning on it. And now my 2 year old is also learning how to use it as well.
Hi, I like Jen's idea refurbishing an old computer, but I more agree with Anne Marie that kids are better off without toys as these unless on a very limited basis. Yes, it's more work, but sit them down with a pile of Play-Doh and letters to copy or throw some rice on an old cookie sheet and trace the letters or get some books on tape/CD from the library and have them follow along. I think kids (including mine-9, 11 and 13-!) have way too many screens available to entertain them. Just my two cents from being a mom and teacher. Thanks.
they are both good regarding entertainment but beware all the so called educational companies claims to improve learning. If you are interested in learning a lot about the clinical research on child development, the book "Einstein didn't use flash cards" is really interesting. children learn best by a more 3-D interactive and contextual learning but if you are looking for a little break and don't let the children use these toys too much, they are fine entertainment and maybe a little better than just TV. Enjoy.
I've had friends recommend the Clickstart so that is the one we bought for our 2 year old for this Christmas.
If you have an old one laying around, I would use a regular computer. I realize that I'm lucky that my husband is tech savvy. We had an old computer that he wiped clean and is setup such that even should our daughter accidentally download a virus, it's fairly easy to clean up (meaning we don't keep any of our data on the computer, it's strictly for kidstuff). We bought a child's mouse to fit her hand and we setup nickjr (you could also do pbskids or some similar)as the homepage. If you don't have an old one laying around, I'm sure you could find some great deals on a used computer/monitor on craigslist or some of those other sites. Have fun, our daughter loves the computer and at just over 3 yrs old, she can navigate fairly well!
We have both. My 4 year old likes the click start better. (I think it is better for younger kids) My 6 year old like the vsmile. It is harder for younger kids to use.
p.s. colleen is right, our vsmile freezes up all the time. it's kinda crappy. the clickstart never did that.
I have heard bad things about the vsmile but it was the one my son wanted so he got it anyways and it was horrible, it kept glitching and freezing up, exchanged it for a new one and same thing happened after 3 weeks. We have heard great things about the click start so that is what we got him for christmas this year.
Don't know anything about the Vsmile, but my son who is 4 1/2 got a clickstart last year for christmas and he loves it. For an almost 3 year old it might be a little hard but they surely would grow into it.
