“Kids Review Kids' Tech” plus 2 more |
- Kids Review Kids' Tech
- Technically, kids are smarter than ever, thanks to learning devices
- As summer fades, kids head back to school in Roseland
| Posted: 09 Sep 2010 11:09 AM PDT Children's toys are going more and more high-tech each year. We asked five reviewers under the age of 12 to try the latest gadgets--a digital camera, a handheld, an e-book reader, a laptop, and a cell phone--designed specifically for a child to use. Here's what the kids had to say about the toys after putting them through their paces (with a little added perspective from moms and dads). Reviewer: Noah, age 8 Age group targeted: 6 years and up Price: $50 PCWorld Kid Rating: 4 Smiles
Noah really liked the different effects that he could apply to photos in the camera, saying, "I just love how when you press the swirl button you can make a cool mode."
On the flip side, however, Noah thought that it was hard to figure out how to view the pictures he already shot, that it was difficult to open the cover over the USB connector, and that the lens was placed in such a way that his fingers often covered it. Uncle Nick's take: "The age level is appropriate for this camera. It was definitely helpful for Noah that the camera covered only the basics." Noah's bottom line: "It's fun to take anywhere" and "I wish it had a touchscreen!" Note: The camera is currently out of stock on the company's site, but a representative says that it is for sale at Toys R Us. Reviewer: Zoe, age 7 Age group targeted: 4 to 9 years Price: $70, plus the cost of downloadable games, e-books, and videos PCWorld Kid Rating: 3 Smiles
Zoe's father, who helped her install the Explorer software necessary to purchase and download one of the more than 40 games and activities from the Leapfrog site, was unhappy with the setup.
Zoe thought the system and most of the activities and games she tried were "babyish." This included one that her father thought would be a sure-fire hit: the Disney Princess pop-up book. One exception was the Spongebob Squarepants Fists of Foam game, which earned the Zoe seal of approval. Dad's take: "A Nintendo DS or something similar, or even an iPod Touch, would be a better choice for Zoe. The Explorer appears to be well made and strong. However, it seems a little expensive at $70, especially since that includes only one game." Zoe's bottom line: "Sort of babyish" and "It would be better if it was pink." (The review unit was green and white. The Leapster Explorer also comes in purple and white.) Reviewer: Ryan, age 5 Age group targeted: 3 to 7 years Price: $60 PCWorld Kid Rating: 2.5 Smiles
Once the reader came to life, he started to play a spelling game. The idea was to fill in the blanks in an incomplete word by choosing the correct letters from a set dancing across the screen. On subsequent startups, he would touch a small house icon and get stuck repeating a setup routine every time. "Type your name!" the reader would implore. "But I already typed my name!" Ryan would complain to the screen. "Type in a welcome message!" the reader would then insist. "What's a welcome message?" he would ask. To hear and read a story, players are supposed to touch a book icon. But the problem is that the icon doesn't look much like a book and isn't labeled 'Book', even though all of the other icons have labels. When Ryan accidentally stumbled across the story, he enjoyed following along with the animated scenes and turning the pages when prompted. "This is a good story. But it's a little sad," he commented. He had the most fun playing the spelling game to fill in the missing letters, and he merrily banged away on the built-in QWERTY keyboard. The slight lag in response time after pressing a button was a source of frustration, as were the somewhat advanced directions. ("To change your settings, press the paintbrush.")
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| Technically, kids are smarter than ever, thanks to learning devices Posted: 10 Sep 2010 02:02 AM PDT What's in your kid's book bag? Back-to-school basics have become a mixed bag of techno learning toys that go beyond teaching kids the basic three "R's" (reading, writing and arithmetic) and traditional products with a twist. Teach My Preschooler is the newest edition to a line of learning tools created by Christy Cook, a frustrated mom who wasn't happy with what was on the market and decided to create her own products. She brought in education consultant Judith Rowlands to help design the line of learning/teaching tools. Teach My Preschooler features 17 teaching tools that cover both cognitive and motor skills. The kit includes four programs: Ready to Read, Ready to Print, Ready for 1-100 and Ready for Math. Each program includes coordinating puzzles, board books, posters, flash cards and a portable case ($49.99 at teachmy.com). Fisher Price's iXL is a hand-held computer device that puts a fount of information at a kid's fingertips. It features six modes: digital reader, game player, notebook, art studio, MP3 player and photo album. Learning features include numbers, sequencing, reading comprehension and spelling, and both are PC and Mac compatible ($24.99 at fisher-price.com). Playskool's Alphie, a computerized robot, unlocks a world of learning apps for children. Alphie challenges kids with more than 350 questions covering subjects like sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, letters and matching games ($39.99). Additional booster packs are available ($9.99 each). Visit playskoolkids.com. Crayola has been a back-to-school favorite for generations of kids. This year, the company goes eco-friendly with its green line of art supplies, including crayons, markers and colored pencils. Visit crayola.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| As summer fades, kids head back to school in Roseland Posted: 10 Sep 2010 06:41 AM PDT "Please Don't Dance in my Ambulance is an enchanting children's book that will introduce readers to the exciting world of ambulance work and emergency medical services through the eyes of a child who just wants to dance and maybe help someone. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and autographing at the event. Creative Collage where your imagination is your only limitation will be held on Oct. 4. All programs start at 7 p.m. and advance registration is required. Story Time Story Time begins again on Sept. 7 for toddlers and preschoolers. Toddler Group 1 will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5. Group 2 will be held from 11:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29. The toddler groups are for children ages 2.5 to 3 years old. Preschool Group 1 will be held from 2 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5. Group 2 will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30. The Preschool groups are for children ages three and one-half to 5 years old. Junior Women's Club The Roseland Junior Women's Club will hold a pasta dinner fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9. Dinner includes: "two" kinds of Pasta, sausage, meatballs, salad, beverage and dessert. Take out is available for pick up from 5 to 6 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults and children 13 years and older, $10 for senior citizens and $6 for children 6 to 12 years old. Make your reservation/take-out order by Tuesday, Oct. 5. Checks should be made payable to: RJWC. Mail to: RJWC, P.O. Box 24, Roseland, N.J., 07068 For more information, call Michele Tolli at (973) 228-6512 All proceeds will go to Valerie Children's Cancer Fund and other community projects. Environmental Center The Essex County Environmental Center will be hosting fall educational programs for all area children. The Bug Club, for children ages 6 to 10, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, and Nov. 9. The Bug Club explores the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets year-round. Advance registration and payment required; call (973) 228-8776. Fee: $6 per child per session. Additional material fees may apply. The Green Kids Club for children ages 7 to 14 will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, and Nov. 16. Discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects! Advance registration and payment required; call (973) 228-8776. Fee: $6 per child per session. Additional material fees may apply. Children ages 6 to 12 can participate in Nature Crafts with Children from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 29, Oct. 27 and Nov. 24. Participants will take a walk through the woods and discover imaginative ways to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by making art from nature. Join in to make apple faced people, autumn leaves under glass, edible turkeys and more! Advance registration and payment required; call (973) 228-8776. Fee: $6 per child per session. Additional material fees may apply. Here's to a happy 2010-11 school year! Don't forget to e-mail me all the latest happenings at colleen.mcspirit@gmail.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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