Learning Game Consoles for Young Children? 101
revco_38 asks: "My wife and I are looking into purchasing a game based learning console for our 4 year old boy this Christmas. The two front runners are the VSmile from VTech and the Leapster from Leapfrog. Does the Slashdot community have any experience with either of these products? Are there any other products similar that should be considered? We also have a 2 year old boy so something that lasts would be nice."
Is this really a good idea? (Score:1)
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:4, Informative)
That said, we like the VSmile a lot. The basic cartridge that it comes with has a few games on it, and she does OK with it. It took a bit of practice for her to figure out how to use the joystick properly, and she likes to hit the colored buttons just to hear the guy say them over the TV. Most games that we've played only require the joystick and the big orange button, so getting started is easy. The graphics are probably SNES quality, along with similar sound. We had to get extra carts, though, cause the one it comes with gets old fast.
The other thing I like about the VSmile is it has a portable counterpart. Think TurboGrafix 16, but for kids. We haven't purchased it yet, but I have to drive my daughter a few hours each way on my custody weekends, and that's something to help entertain her when we've played out all the Barney and Veggie Tales CDs...
One final comment -- if you get the VSmile, get the AC adapter. It takes 3C batteries, but they get eaten quickly, especially since small children are prone to turning the unit on without you knowing (and hence leaving it on for an extended period of time).
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:2)
Eight hours????????????
She's only 3!!!!!!!!!!!
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:2)
That said, divorce is rough on kids, and this is just one of the side effects.
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:1, Troll)
Bah. What's more important to her, her career or her child?
She also lives out of town, so I or my family am not able to pick her up.
What's more important to you, your career or your child?
That said, divorce is rough on kids, and this is just one of the side effects.
And one of the many sacrifices that parents have to make for their children is to be there for
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:2)
Ok, that came out ambiguous.
In "be there for them", I was thinking "be near, so that you can see them more often".
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:2)
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:2)
Yes, you're right. I still stand by my (amended) statement that parents (even divorced ones) need to sacrifice for their children.
We've put our money where our mouths are: my wife could be making a lot more money, but we agreed that being around for our children when they come home from school is more importa
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:2)
I doubt the kid is going to be doing nothing but playing with this game. It's all about balance.
Re:Is this really a good idea? (Score:1)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think any console has had a voice synthesis system since (Animal Crossing on the GameCube doesn't count. The "animalese" is less than intelligible.)
I miss the Odyssey2. Those were some good games, gameplay wise.
Other products (Score:2)
Or not. The jet engine sound of an old computer might scare the kid.
Re:Other products (Score:3, Insightful)
On second thought, make sure you limit the amount of time they spend with
Re:Other products (Score:3, Funny)
V(ertical)Smile (Score:3, Funny)
Well, I sure as hell wouldn't buy my kid something called a VSmile.
Just don't forget... (Score:5, Insightful)
"Old school" stuff like drawing on paper with crayons, playing with blocks, creating with Tinker Toys, Flying paper airplanes, playing with toys that have no electronic gizmos...anything to make him create and imagine, instead of following a pre-programmed toy.
By all means, take advantage of the latest gadgets, but at least suppliment them with creativity-boosting toys.
Re:Just don't forget... (Score:1)
This summer I was watching my nephew, who is seven. His parents (perhaps parents isn't the right word, they're just the people who brought him into this world -- aside from that they really don't do anything that I consider parenting) are very hands-off. In his bedroom he has a TV, VCR, DVD player, Nintendo 64, and a Playstation. He's had all of that in there since he was three years old. When he's at home, his parents make him stay in his room all the time. I guess they figure that he's
I remember being 4... (Score:4, Interesting)
Stick was great. I could put a crab able on the end and observe centrifical force and mechanical advantage. I could balance it on my hand to improve coordination. I could throw it and chase my dog to build muscles and stamina. I could charge my evil brother with it like charging into battle like King Arthur like in the stories and legends taught to me. I could share my stick with my friends to learn cooperation. I could combine my stick with my friends' sticks to make a fort.
Ahhh, the simple joys of Stick.
-Rick
Re:I remember being 4... (Score:2)
-Rick
Re:I remember being 4... (Score:5, Funny)
You remember LOG don't you -- it even had it's own theme song!
"What rolls down stairs alone or in pairs
rolls over your neighbor's dog?
What's great for a snack and fits on your back?
It's Log, Log, Log!
It's Log, Log, it's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
It's Log, Log, it's better than bad, it's good!
Everyone wants a log! You're gonna love it, Log!
Come on and get your log! Everyone needs a Log!"
Stick -- BAH! I would take LOG over Stick any day of the week!
Re:I remember being 4... (Score:1)
Re:I remember being 4... (Score:1)
Re:I remember being 4... (Score:1)
One Word: (Score:3, Informative)
Re:One Word: (Score:1)
Re:One Word: (Score:1)
Re:One Word: (Score:1)
Re:One Word: (Score:1)
He's getting Quatro for Christmas (he'll be 15 months then), then moving up to Duplo, and won't get the 'real' lego bricks until he's about 4 or so. They've really got the toddler market sorted now.
First words (Score:5, Funny)
Sure, if you want the two year-old's first spoken words to be not "mommy" and "daddy" but "pwn," "teh," "l33t," "B11F," and "hax0r." His spelling skills will be forever ruined, but hey, at least he'll gain the linguistic skills necessary to speak fluent Bosnian [ox.ac.uk]!
GameCube (Score:5, Informative)
Re:GameCube (Score:2)
I'm wondering which games you play with the tyke. I play SSBM with my stepsons, but they are 17 & 12;-) After several months of practicing I can even beat them- every now and again...
Re:GameCube (Score:2)
Re:GameCube (Score:1, Funny)
I used to play football.
Re:GameCube (Score:1)
Re:GameCube (Score:2)
I own a V-Smile for my 3 year old and have had it since his 2nd birthday. It was a little challenging for him at 2, but putting the 'no death' and such settings let him get used to the system, and eventually you put it harder and harder until he's ready for the next set. My son has learned memory and other educational games (shape matching, etc..) from this system, and its games to him so he only gets
Don't waste your money (Score:1)
Proper books work well. Reading and talking about the stories is so much more fun. There is a lot to gain from having a good selection of books. I know they're expensive but that's what libraries and second-hand book shops are for.
We also have an old P3 650 l
Re:Don't waste your money (Score:1)
We also have a P3-600 PC which I now have up in my 3 year old's bedroom.
good website (Score:2)
LeapPad (Score:1)
Re:LeapPad...and Lego...and Brio Trains (Score:1)
Right on - Techie toys list these are a waste of time with a 2 year old.
My 3 year old wouldn't touch a computer game until he was 33 months.
Even now, at 40 months, the computer games are worthwhile - these give him the opportunity to learn how to use the mouse. But the Leapster and its ilk sit idly by in the toybox.
Someone said "Lego" (Duplo). I agree wholeheartedly.
Add to that the Brio / Thomas the Tank Engine / Imaginarium wooden track sets. Seems silly, but there's a lot of playing, and a lot to learn
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Leapfrog is Fine, But Tech is Overrated (Score:1)
Ahh, yes... I remember sitting and playing copy con nul at my dad's work computer (an "IBM Compatible!") as a child. I was older, of course. That was... oh... upper single digits? Of course, before that I had BASIC on the Commodore 64.
Re:Leapfrog is Fine, But Tech is Overrated (Score:2)
First I heard of these (Score:3, Interesting)
Step 1: Hack and boot linux on it
Step 2:
Step 3: Profit?
(Couldn't resist, haven't seen one of those here for a while).
Seriously though, what I see is a cheap full colour LCD hand held that is made of (hopefully) bullet proof plastic - I would expect it to be made more sturdy than toys made for older kids (aka adults) who don't throw things when they are frustated(well, not that often anyways.)
Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:2)
Of course, parents need to teach kids other stuff like social skills, and let them play with other toys like coloring books, blocks, whatever. Duh, the guy isn't asking for parenting advice, he simply wants to know if we have any e
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:1)
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:1)
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:1)
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:2)
I think it's a general inclination on the part of parents to want their children to have lives that are different from their own. I teach my daughter what she needs to know to get around on whatever computer she happens to be using, but there's no way I want her to grow up and get a job in the tech field. It's not that I'm dissatisfied, but I have a vague sense that there has to be something better.
I rem
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:3, Insightful)
First off, let me say I don't have any kids. I understand your wanting "something better" for your daughter, and I also understand that you want to cultivate in your daughter a sense that she can be who she wants to be, and not who you want her to be. The former can lead to independence and joy, the latter to resentment.
However, don't kid yourse
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:1)
Kids these days have very little to
Re:Has slashdot become anti-tech? (Score:1)
Slashdot isn't being anti-tech... but I think here at Slashdot we know better than most the importance of learning the basics first, and working up. You don't start programming with a visual lanugage, you start with a nice 'Hello World'.
For raising kids, there are many basic skills to be developed, and most of them can be taught better through non-technological means. We're aren't always about using only technology, we're about doing things in the best way possible, which for us usually involves technolo
In 1982, when I was 5... (Score:1)
This was really my first delving into computing. When my classroom got 20 TRS-80's, I was on the top of the heap (bad pun intended).
Computers and educational software are by far superior to prepackaged consoles. I learned infinitely more from the Tandy 1000 and the TSR-80 than I ever did from the
They're basically games (Score:1)
We have used mostly Leap products, but also V-Tech, with our two girls (five and two years old). They both enjoy using them, but they are essentially toys. Sure, sure... they are games based around learning, but the learning portion is generally overstated.
Some of the early reviews of the Leapster I think have been confirmed by now, and that is that the system is more game than education. As long as you're buying this as a gaming console with educational titles, rather than a learning console with games, y
Good Old Fashioned Ones (Score:2)
So, I guess what I'm saying is don't think this is a new idea. Don't think this is a bad idea (as a lot of the people I know that used it rated top 5-10 percentile for IQ).
Also, you can potentially pick up the old Speak 'N... series for really cheap with the add-on modules. They are just as applicable now as they were then.
Speak 'n Spell rocked! (Score:1)
Man I loved Speak 'n Spell!
Product recommendation: (Score:2)
Not the comment you're looking for (Score:1)
VTech toys have a habit of going into 'attract mode' like arcade games. For a while after you've played with them, they continue to make noises (the piano actually says 'play with me!'). Ugh.
In ge
Deja vu (Score:1)
Dear lord, I may not sleep tonight...
Sega Pico (Score:2)
Neither (Score:1)
...or one of those little toy calculators that gave you problems to answer (some being simple 4+5=?, some being more like 4+X=9, some being ?x4=12)... I used to love mine, and it certainly gave me an advantage over the other kids in my kindergarten clas
Leap / Real computer (Score:2)
I took the plunge for our 3-year-old, and picked up a 2nd-hand system for $160 (australian). I configured it to auto-login, and play a segment of a wiggles tune on startup. I put up a few nice big icons on the screen that lead to tuxracer, and web sites for:
BBC Kids, the wiggles, and the fimbles. There are also a couple of MP3's of his favorite music on the desktop that he just has to hover the mouse over to play (go
Wooden blocks, rolly toys, cardboard box, etc. (Score:2)
keep waiting.. (Score:2)
http://images.google.com/images?q=hasbro+ion&hl=e
i WILL be first in line for one locally.
V-Tech's stick is just horrid (Score:1)
Then I tried one - it's a horrible soggy mess. Sure it's built to cope with kids, but I'd rather get him a cheap proper stick to use when he's old enough than one of the
Leapster Is Okay (Score:2)
As a father of three... (Score:2)
Understand this, even if you buy them both - they are toys. Period. Whatever learning that comes from them will be small and slow. You can impact her in a greater way through every interaction if you make that choice.
Also know that she will model what she sees and experiences from you. If you play with her
Book (Score:2)
What happened to Legos (Score:2, Insightful)
Get a computer or a Playstation (Score:2)
I'm planning on setting up an older mac for when she is older. You can pick them up for practically nothing and there are tons of educational software out for them.
Re:Get a computer or a Playstation (Score:2)
Unless you're THIS GUY [slashdot.org]
Learning is inspired by internal motivation. (Score:2, Insightful)
That being said I'm the father of a four year old also, and his "toys" a
Color Pixter and old laptop (Score:2)
I'm in a similar situation. My son is now almost 5 and he's had a wonderful creative gameplayer for awhile now: Color Pixter. Its portable, has a nice colorful backlit LCD screen, and the only "control" is a touch stylus attached by a strong rope (no "buttons"). Most of the games involve touching pictures on the screen or outright drawing. 4-to-6 years seems to be the ideal age for this device. I do warn you, though, it does tend to eat through its 4 AA batteries. [Don't bother with the camera cartrid
Leapster Wins - But I Recommend Both (Score:2)
Since both products are relatively inexpensive, I'd recommend that you get both, and see how things work out.
Leapster (Score:1)
Leapfrog Leapster (Score:1)
Is this really a good idea? (Score:1)