Have a little one on your Christmas shopping list who loves letters and learning? Most kids do! And that’s what makes the LeapFrog ClickStart My First Computer-Pink one of the best Christmas gifts of 2010 for kids between the ages of 3 and 6. My First Computer – Pink will be popular with girls on your Christmas gift list, but if you’re shopping for a boy’s Christmas gift, the LeapFrog ClickStart My First Computer also comes in the classic green LeapFrog color.
ClickStart My First Computer-Pink introduces your child to the all the amazing wonders available with computers. Most children in today’s age have computer usage in their future. The earlier they learn about computers and the more skills they have in using them, the more successful your child is likely to be in the future. Recognizing this, My First Computer-Pink helps kids learn basic computer skills in a fun and enjoyable way. The interactive My First Computer-Pink plugs right into the television and teaches youngsters how to use a mouse and keyboard.
Among our kids’ greatest joys are any toys or gifts that let them do what they see Mom and Dad do. In the 21st century, most kids see Mom and Dad or an older sibling use a computer fairly often, so it only makes sense that they want to do the same. The My First Computer-Pink makes it possible for littler kids to experience using a computer without putting your expensive PC at risk.
My First Computer-Pink is the first preschool learning system that provides a desktop computer experience that looks and works like a grownup PC. The ClickStart platform turns any TV into a child’s My First Computer-Pink, simultaneously introducing core preschool skills and basic computer functionality. As most of us who love a preschooler will know, kids this age love to learn; they don’t see it as a chore but as joy. My First Computer-Pink supports that happy and fun approach to learning and computer usage with a friendly green puppy named Scout who accompanies little ones on their learning journeys. Scout greets your kids by appearing on the wireless keyboard with automatic shut-off as well as in onscreen games and activities.
Rich with content, ClickStart My First Computer-Pink offers exciting games as well as engaging software applications that work together to help kids earn treats for their friend Scout. The My First Computer-Pink package includes a wireless keyboard with automatic shut-off, cartridge based console, child-sized mouse and right or left hand adjustable mouse pad. The system requires 4 “AA” batteries and 4 “C” batteries which are not included and probably result in the biggest complaint parents have about the My First Computer-Pink. The keyboard can run through batteries fast. When your child loves the My First Computer-Pink so much they want to use it as much as possible, you’ll want to have plenty of batteries on hand or to save some money with rechargables (and still have plenty on hand!).
My First Computer – Pink’s Child-Friendly Design
The ClickStart features a child-friendly wireless keyboard, plug and play console, and a child-sized mouse with a right- or-left-handed adjustable mouse pad. It transforms the TV into a PC, which allows kids to work on a big screen and the whole family to join in on the fun. The miniature mouse is perfectly formed for little fingers to point and click. Large, colored buttons make it easy for kids to learn basic keystrokes, and four friendly games create a safe, age-appropriate environment to navigate. ClickStart is built to withstand rough toddler handling, a plus for parents who want to spare their high-end desktops from child’s play. And the wireless keyboard is light and convenient to transport from place to place, so kids can bring the fun with them wherever they go.
My First Computer – Pink: Product Features
- Turns television into a learning computer and teaches how to use mouse and keyboard and to navigate screens
- Miniature mouse for little fingers to point and click; colored buttons to help learn keystrokes
- Four learning games teach phonics, letters, animal facts, counting, and computer skills
- Includes wireless keyboard, plug and play console, mouse and mouse pad
My First Computer Pink: Encourages Age-Appropriate Learning
It is never too early to teach children the correct way to use a computer. The ClickStart ensures that a child’s first computing experience is age appropriate and pleasant, with engaging games that not only enhance basic computer skills, but prepare children for pre-school and kindergarten. This educational tool has four games that teach phonics, letters, animal facts, and counting, while sharpening a child’s screen navigation skills. Friendly puppy Scout guides kids through keyboard functions and allows them to work at their own pace. Techno tots can click on a faux in-box to receive their first e-mail; it even has sound for nonreaders. Should the youngster ever become stumped, a hint button gives them a clue. Additional ClickStart software packages, sold separately, feature well-known characters such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer, and Nemo.
My First Computer Pink: Reviews
Durable, Educational AND Fun – a wonderful toy!
Durability: Fun: Educational:
My son received this for his second birthday, and while he was admittedly too young to get the full benefit, he is now three and wants to use it every day. It has familiarized him with a QWERTY keyboard, which is fantastic in my book since many kids’ laptop and computer toys put letters in alphabetical order, not how they are on a real keyboard. The mouse can also be moved to either side, so if you have a lefty or a righty, a quick move gets the mouse where they need it.
The Clickstart comes with a few games pre-loaded, some that deal with letters and the keyboard, some with arrow keys and some with the mouse. There are also two levels, so beginners and kiddos who have some experience with it can each have a good time.
My son loves the ABC tree, which starts asking children to press any letter they like, and then progresses into asking them to find specific letters on the keyboard. The keyboard is color-coded (each of three lines has a different color), which also makes it easier to learn your way around the keyboard. If my son ever gets stuck on a letter, he’ll ask me what color it is so he can find it easier.
His other favorite game is Scout’s House, which involves using the mouse to direct the puppy around his house and backyard – another great game!
Could have been much more…
Durability:
Fun: Educational:
Let me start of by saying that I’m somewhat satisfied with some elements of this product. The build is good, the keyboard is above average, the quality of picture is not bad. So far, so good. I would also like to say that the keyboard and mouse are a tremendously great idea and would be a great introduction to computers for little kids IF they had been actually implemented to any useful and educational extent. As it stands, the reviewer who said that better educational software could be had over the internet is absolutely correct. The software that comes with this computer and even the software you buy for it is drivel.
Here’s the rub, the software that is available for this device are the very nearly the exact same pieces of software that appeared on the LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game System (Leapfrog’s handheld) device in reduced form. Yes, let me rephrase that, the software you buy for this computer is less powerful than the software you can get for Leapfrog’s handheld computer: the LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game System. There’s less to do, and what there is to do can be done without the keyboard!
Take for example the Dora software, there are three activities in the ClickStart version of the software. Those same three activities and TWO MORE are available for the Leapster. The same can be said for the Thomas software. The Animal Painting software doesn’t allow freeform painting, instead it simple click to color a region painting which my 3.5 year old finds dreadfully boring. He kept wanting to do real painting, something he can do with the Leapster’s built-in software!
To be sure, Leapster software is more expensive and in this case you get what you pay for. I had expected Leapfrog to do more than just simply port and reduce already existing software but alas, this new software doesn’t even take advantage of the keyboard. Both the computer and the Leapster use a Flash engine, the same engine that is used to make games for various educational web sites. Truth be told, the games you can find on the net have more value than the games that come with this so-called computer.
If this is a child’s first Leapfrog product then great, it’s a real neat thing, it works beautifully and does the job admirably but if you already have a Leapster then please reconsider. If your child has already played Thomas and Dora to death then they will find nothing new in those titles on this computer. So far my son has found one activity he enjoys and that is typing. Something we let him do on our home computers already. He wanted more options (different backgrounds to type on, for example) within five minutes of turning this thing on. That doesn’t make it a bad product but don’t assume this will replace a full computer in the child’s life.
It should also be noted that there is a profanity filter in the typing element of the built in game. It won’t allow the child to type the word “Hello” which is one of the first words my son tried to type. This, in my opinion, is going a bit overboard. There seems to be no setting for turning the filter off.
I beg of Leapfrog to make more robust software for the device and in particular software that really exercises the keyboard. As it stands it’s the lesser of two products. I’d recommend the Leapster over this one in a heartbeat despite the fact that the ClickStart has a keyboard and mouse. At the very least Leapfrog should have allowed the Clickstart to run Leapster games.
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Originally posted 2009-11-14 19:07:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
