Learning with @LeapReader- Ready, Set, Read & Write!

Disclosure: I received the following LeapReader to host my LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty.  No other compensation was provided, all opinions are my own.

I'm so excited to share with you the LeapReader!  It's the newest in a LONG line of great products from LeapFrog, the makers of some other great learning toys you can find in my son's room, including:
Leapster (we have 2!)

Leapster Explorer

LeapPad

They also make Tag and Read With Me Scout &Violet, among plenty of other

  great toys, apps and learning DVDs.  They even offer a full  app center for all their products!

We had the fortunate opportunity to be chosen to host a LeapFrog LeapReader MommyParty for the launch of this great product.   I was super excited, and couldn't believe everything that was included in the package we got!

The giant package included:

2 LeapReaders, a bunch of LeapReader books including my son's favorite:
LeapFrog Disney-Pixar Monsters University 3D book and glasses

We were able to bring it in to his classroom for a Ready, Set, Read and Write party!!

Then, because I'm ambitious, I actually had a mini-party at my mom's group, so I got to have double the fun!

At the class-party, most of the children seemed a little weary of it, because they're all so used to their video-game systems.  I can see how, for a child that's 6-8, they might prefer to play a video game vs reading, however, when NOT given a choice between the two, you've got a much better chance of getting a child to choose a learning-system toy.

Once I showed them that the Monster's University book was in 3D, I really got their attention. 

They loved how when the characters 'moved' back and forth if they took their glasses on, or off.

I loved that you could jump around, and the LeapReader knew EXACTLY where you were.  

With other book readers, you're forced to follow along, and you're kind of stuck if you need more help or attention on a specific word. I jumped back and forth, and even tried to stump it by switching pages from Cars to Cinderella to Monsters Inc, but not matter which page I went to, it automatically started reading from that book!

With the book that comes included in the LeapReader, there is a sample of many different books, including
a Cars (the movie) page as well as Cinderella.

There was also a LeapFrog Learning Paper page.

I wanted to see what would happen, so I turned on the LeapReader, and followed it's directions.
It told me to touch the green star, and then explained to me to follow the lines to write the capital A.

I followed the directions.  Then it told me to try it myself.  When I tried to write the line the wrong way (going UP the A, instead of down) it corrected me, and told me to do it the other way.
When I went down, and then down (making an upside down V) and then tried to make the first line again, it told me that I'd already done it.

I can't believe how smart this thing is!!

I really love that I can write on the Learning Paper, and not on other paper!

At the mom's group, things played out a little different, since I had mom's around, I really wanted to show them how awesome the LeapReader was for home, and how it's REALLY mess-free.

First, I decided to play a game with them.

I'd made a copy of the writing paper that was included, so the page looked identical, but one was copy paper, one was magic writing paper.
I first showed them on the magic writing paper where I'd copied the word cat, and it showed up.

Then I handed them a COPY of the sheet, and said that anyone that could write the word cat would get a LeapFrog LeapReader RockStar Award first. (everyone got one for coming)

They tried and tried, one at a time, but couldn't get it to show up.  They made sure it was on, and working, they went back and forth to my sheet,  copying over my word, then going to theirs, and no one could get it to work!

The mom's were a little baffled, because I didn't tell them ahead of time.

When I explained that they were using special mess-free paper, that no matter what, they didn't have to worry about their work they brought home, big brother's essay or sister's diary getting drawn all over, the mom's were really excited.

Of course I also gave each child that tried a RockStar certificate, because they tried so hard!

My Own Thoughts
While we're always taught to read & write in school, we're not always taught the importance of listening.  I love that it incorporates all 3.  I was really pleased with the wide variety and ABILITIES 

of it.  It focuses on some very important elements that children need for school, but we ALL need for life.
I love that it can be used not only for reading, writing and listening, but for game time as well.  I can really see this being used in our house INSTEAD of gaming systems.  It gives the fun and challenges, without the concern of 'what is my child playing'.

Not sure what the LeapReader is?  Here's some great info to fill you in: 

LeapReader is the complete

learn-to-read-and-write solution that combines

three essential literacy skills: reading, writing and

listening. By practicing them together, children

can practice the skills they need to help them become

confident, independent readers.

Now, some really great things to know!

LeapReader is compatible with most Tag books

They offer an educator approved library of over 150+ books, maps, flash-cards, book sets, learn-to-write sets with LeapFrog Learning Paper, audio books, music albums and trivia challenge activities, all developed or approved by their team of learning experts.

What's more, is the LeapReader can hold up to 40 books or 175 songs at a time!

The LeapReader includes 3 essential experiences:

Learning to READ

It Sounds out words, reads sentences and lets kids play games and puzzles

Learning to WRITE

It gives kids an interactive way to practice writing letters and numbers on special mess-free writing paper.

(yes, MESS-FREE!  The 'pen' does NOT write on other surfaces, keeping your tables, chairs and walls free of 'extras decoration.)

Learning to LISTEN

Audio books, learning songs and trivia challenges build comprehension skills and vocabulary.

Again, I received these LeapFrog products free, in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was provided.  All opinions expressed are my own.  The LeapFrog trademark pic at the top of the post belongs to LeapFrog.

The pictures shown are my own.  Because I could not get permission to post the children's faces at the parties, I am unable to post those photos, as they contain recognizable faces.