My new LeapFrog Leap Start arrived in the mail a few weeks ago and I’ve just gotten the chance to try it out with my kindergarten class.  (LeapFrog sent the product for me to try out.  The opinions here are all my own.)

When I opened it up, my initial thought was that it was just like the old LeapPads that my kids had 10 years ago.  Books fit inside of the  book case and you play games or read with the pen.  I’ve always loved the concept and I still do.  Interactive reading is awesome for kids who don’t engage easily.   A few of the books that they sent are STEM books, which are super-cool.  There were so many kids in my kindergarten class, both boys and girls, who enjoyed these books.

My personal favorite book was the Alphabet Adventures with Music.

 

Many kids in my kindergarten class have started school with very little background in letters and sounds.  This is a fabulous learning tool for those kids.  I love that it is self-correcting too.  As they are playing games, the Leap Start will let them know when something is incorrect.  With 22 kids in my kindergarten class, I really appreciate this!

As with most of my LeapFrog products, I did need to plug this into my computer and set it up.  You need to download the correct books so the pen knows what it is reading.  It doesn’t take long, but it is one extra step.    The Leap Start takes batteries, and I wish it could plug in.  I go through a lot of batteries in my kindergarten class and there is no budget for purchasing batteries, so it comes out of my pocket.  The LeapStart says it is best for 2-4 year olds, but the STEM with Problem Solving book, for first grade, is awesome!

Christmas is right around the corner and this would make a great gift for any preschooler or kindergartner!

Happy reading!