Text or Not to Text with the LeapFrog Text and Learn
It is not uncommon to find adults texting one another on a regular basis. The simple fact is that texting has become an accepted way to communicate with each other. But texting is not limited to adults. The primary users of text messaging services are between the ages of 12 and 19. Some go through more than 10,000 text messages in a month. If you think that is exaggerating, then rest assured that it is not. It only follows that toddlers and small children would get invited into this communication world with the LeapFrog Text and Learn.
The LeapFrog Text and Learn is not an actual texting apparatus. It is simply another hand held gaming device offered by Leap Frog. It has a full QWERTY keyboard and it does allow the child to pretend he or she is texting just like adults do every single day.
The games your child can play on the Text and Learn are primarily focused on them learning the alphabet, improving their typing and learning rhyming. Those are beneficial as long as they do not pick up the “text talk” that is so prevalent among text users. An example of texting language is “U R gr8″ which translates to: you are great. It may not seem like a big deal for some but for many it really does hamper spelling skills.
A huge downside of this toy is that it is specifically designed to communicate with the LeapFrog My Pal Scout. Scout is a stuffed puppy that receives the texts and the child can have online adventures with but you have to know up front that the Text and Talk does not come with this pal. You will have to pay an additional $20.00 to own him.
Another downside is that you cannot download or buy any additional games. So this makes this toy pretty much a one shot wonder. It is not expensive, though, which is the bright side. You can easily find this toy for around $24.00 which makes it pretty inexpensive as far as electronic gadgets are concerned.
If you are troubled with the idea of your small child pretending to text message, then you will definitely want to pass on the LeapFrog Text and Learn. Leap Frog has many fine educational toys to choose from that are far more practical and even more affordable. Though your child may want to text message just like older kids, he or she can wait a few years before hopping on that bandwagon.
Learn more about Educational Toddler Toys. Stop by Tim Frazier’s site where you can find out all about board games and what it can do for you. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.