 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory
- LeapPad2, LeapPad Explorer, Leapster Explorer
- Price: $24.99
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Froggy friends help preschoolers learn the alphabet.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory is a preschool learning game tied in to the LeapFrog video of the same name. The game targets kids in the 3-5 age range, although a few may need some adult assistance. Kids can learn letters, their sounds, and how to draw them.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn to recognize upper and lowercase letters and letter sounds. They can also practice basic spelling and writing letters. LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory offers solid activities for early writing and reading, although it tends to lump too many skills together at once for the targeted age.
Subjects
- Language & Readingletter or word recognition, naming, phonics
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Arts
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningapplying information
- Creativity
- Self-Direction
- Emotional Development
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitnessfine motor skills
What's it about?
In LEAPFROG EXPLORER LEARNING GAME: LETTER FACTORY, kids joins Leap, Tad, and Lily as they help new friend Burfder on a quest. Burfder can change into any shape he wants, but he doesn't know the alphabet well enough to transform into a letter. Leap, Tad, and Lily invite him (and the player) into the Letter Factory to learn more. In the first activity, Tad asks kids to tap all examples of a certain letter before time runs out. In the next one, Lily asks them to find a picture that has the same starting sound as the letter. Once they guess correctly, they can play a ball drop game. Lastly, Tad has kids trace the capital and lowercase versions of the letter. Lily has a second game that involves choosing the correct missing letter sound to form the word shown in a picture. Kids can return to Leap for a new letter or chose to explore the factory. As in other LeapFrog games, kids can earn badges for completing certain goals. They also earn stars that allow Burfder to transform into a letter of their choosing. Parents can track their child's progress via the LeapFrog Connection application.
Is it any good?
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory is a playful way for kids to learn the alphabet and early literacy skills. Unfortunately, the "games" aren't all that fun (with the exception of Lily's ball drop) and game play may start to feel repetitive with 26 letters to play through and nothing to vary the activity. The activities are age appropriate, but young kids may be confused and/or overwhelmed by trying to learn to identify both the upper/lowercase letters, recognize their sounds, and draw them, all at the same time. Parents may need to help young kids get started. Despite a strong premise and educational foundation, this title feels like it focuses on too narrow of a topic without sufficient variation to sustain interest over a long period.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about preschool learning, such as letter sounds and which everyday words/names start with which letters.
They can also discuss times when they helped friends to learn something new.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn to recognize upper and lowercase letters and letter sounds. They can also practice basic spelling and writing letters. LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory offers solid activities for early writing and reading, although it tends to lump too many skills together at once for the targeted age.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: letter or word recognition, naming, phonics
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: applying information
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction:
- Emotional Development:
- Communication:
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness: fine motor skills
How kids will learn
Kids will learn by playing games with the game's froggy characters. Kids do the same activities for each letter, often multiple times. Despite a cute setting, LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory is lacking in gameplay variety. The game is encouraging and supportive if kids make mistakes. Older kids won't find much challenge, even in the spelling areas. Parents will appreciate their ability to track learning progress online.
How parents can help
- Practice letter sounds during everyday activities.
- Practice drawing upper and lowercase letter on paper.
- Ask kids to think of several words that begin with the same letter sound.
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| Topics: | numbers and letters |
| Platforms: | LeapPad2, LeapPad Explorer, Leapster Explorer |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Educational |
| Developer: | LeapFrog |
| Release date: | September 5, 2012 |
| Price: | $24.99 |
| ESRB rating: |
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