V-smile Baby

Hi B.. I have the V-Smile, and the leapster. My opinion is I think the V-Smile is much better for the children. I have 4 kids, but 3 of them use it right now and they love it. You can have 2 players on it and I even play it with my 5 year old. He seems to like it more than his leapster. Because its a video game they can play on the T.V. If you go to like the Thrift store they will sell them there. I got mine for 9.99 at the Albany Thrift store, and their was nothing wrong with it.

Hi B.,

I know it's tempting to succumb to expert marketing (I've been tempted too), but little ones are better off with pots and pans and blocks and other simple open-ended everyday objects and toys that they can explore with and without you. Allow your children the joys of creating their own meaning and explorations without being fed bells and whistles that won't do anything special for their brain development except possibly curb their imaginations and attention spans. Any educator or child development specialist not on the payroll of a company selling toys will tell you the same thing. And don't worry, your children will learn their colors and numbers and to count and read in good time and at their own individual pace.

Respectfully, J.

I haven't used it personally, but my nephew (who's 4 now) had one and he absolutely LOVED it. He's now onto the regular V-Smile and still enjoys all the things he learns from it.

I haven't look into that one, but I have the VTech and was thinking of getting it for my son who will be 3 in Dec...I also like the leap frog one they have for infants and toddlers...Wish they would have had that when my son was born! T.

Hi. My kids learned to like the TV all on their own. I'm glad they have educational games for little kids. If the game teaches them something, I'm all for it. Is it well built? Kids need something sturdy. Good luck!!

I don't know about the V-Smile Baby, but my five year old has the V-Smile for older kids and he loves it. It really does teach as it entertains, so I'm thinking the V-Smile baby would hopefully do the same. The only complaint I have about his V-Smile is that some of the games are a little harder than the age range that it is intended for. Good luck!

B.-
I don't personally have the v-smile. We actually returned one because my son, who is 20 months got both the v-smile and Leap frog for christmas. I have to tell you at the age he is now, he loves it. He has learned quite a few things from it, and loves to play with it everyday. Like I said, we had them both, but my husband thought the leap frog was better. Also the v-smile is a plug in, and the leap frog is wireless, I did have problems finding the code for our dvd player in the family room, but was able to quickly access the one in our bedroom. Good luck with your choice. I am doubtful I helped you, but if I did, good. Good luck- S.

I have not personally used on but I have heard good things about it. I work for a child development center and many of our case workers and families use it and think it's a good thing.

I would echo Jackie's sentiments. I am a therapist and I specialize in early childhood development. If you look at any of the research out there it will tell you that the video games, television and media do more harm than good to a child's development. In a nutshell, because the video games direct a child's play, they do not allow for the child to develop something called self-talk. This is how an individual problem solves, delays gratification, and negotiates. Sure it's nice to have a break as a mom but you will find that if they spend time in play, they will start to direct themselves and you will still have the space to make dinner. If you'd like more information on this, please feel free to e-mail me directly.
Respectfully,
M.

I have the V-Smile Baby for my son. He loves it and it keeps him entertained for a while. The cartridge that came with it was about shapes, numbers, and colors which I have noticed in last week and half he has learned new colors and numbers. He can count to 13 and says Yellow and purple now. The one cartridge I would recommend would be the baby einstein one. My son loves baby einstein but this one is very useful as well.

T.

B.,
I have three children that always want to play video games. My boy's are limited to two days a week and now my four year old is getting interested because of watching them. So, instead of allowing the meaningless video games, she is aloud to use the v-smile. I watch her and see her interacting with the lessons being taught. I believe in the outdoor time and one on one time but at some point the technology is going to be there. If you are considering any form of electronics, I would definitely recommend this system. It allows for them to pick up on and learn things at a faster rate. I recommend it in moderation. Good luck with your decision.
~M

Hi,
I don't know if this will help, but I have the Leap Frog for baby's and my son is 16 months old. -honestly he could care less about the system at this point, but he is facinated by having "control" over the TV so he loves to turn it on and off and play with the remotes. He is not playing any of the games, but at least it is a compromise to turing the TV on and off :) I think that your 30 month old will love either system. The V-Smile doesn't neeed a DVD player so it is more portable, But the Leap Frog system does and needs to be set up for each and every DVD player you want to attach it to.
I think both systems are fun and educational (I am an ex teacher) and anything that they can spend their time learning and having fun is worth the time!
-J.

I personaly recommend the Leap Frog baby. It has several charecters on it, and levels that YOU choose when your child is ready. Leapfrog comes in a lap pad for baby, a laptop for toddlers-school and they have video games that teach for older kids. I have one of each and I take them EVERYWHERE!! I like them because it is easy to teach my children and we get "alone quiet" time.