Vtech Vsmile Baby System

My daughter has the system - for 2 years now - she is 4. At first it was great. But the more she played with it the more I realized that perhaps she wasn't really getting much out of it other than it being a video game. So what I have done is limit her use and we have started using workbooks and I have gotten her flash cards, card games, and board games. I have noticed that the literal hands on has been more effective. She is very eager to learn. At first she asked to play ot all the time, but over time she has since somewhat forgotten about it and plays with it very minimally.

Good Luck

We have the leap frog fridge phonics (letters and numbers). Our boys use it but they don't stick it to the fridge. The past few months our youngest (15months) has been picking up the paddle and he puts the letters in himself and when it plays the ABC song he "sings" with it. He does not say the letters yet but he makes the same sounds as the songs. Also when it counts same thing. It is really strange because our other two never did that. You can tell him to go get his ABC's and he will get the container it's in and hall it over to have it unlatched.
This one has not animation or anything else and is under $20. We ended up getting it on special for $10.

L.,

I am not looking to argue with some of the negative responses below, however I would like to add that some research indicates that video games like anything else can be good in moderation. Contrary to what others may have indicated video games have a way of enforcing swift consequences, meaning the child can not whine or complain their way out of a wrong answer. I'm sure that you are not looking for cheep child care by purchasing this game for your child, so I wouldn't worry about your childs social development, there is enough time in the day to have social interaction and play pretend and have alittle time for educational video games.

I am against this. Why does a baby need to know how to watch tv or play video games? There are SO many other ways for a one year old to learn and sitting around isn't going to do it. A one year old needs to be active, playing, involved with the world around him. I would not buy this.
S.
(mom of 3 and daycare provider/teacher with 18 yrs exp.)

The system is worth its weight in gold! My daughter loves it! We got it for her when she was three and now she is almost six and she still uses it and still loves it! It was the first thing she wanted unpacked when we moved recently. The games grow with her so it is something that she can continue to use for several years yet. I would not hesitate to buy it! In response to the people below who are against it. This system really is educational. My daughter learns a lot with it. It is much better than watching violent cartoons or other tv shows.

Hello,
We got the V.Smile Pocket for our youngest when she was 2 1/2 or 3 at the time she is now 4 and she loves it. Her sisters that are 6 and 10 love to play with it also. I feel that it is a great learning tool. We play it together as well as her doing it by herself. I have not seen the baby interactive one so I am not sure what that one is like.

T.

we have one for our 3 1/2 year old and its great!!! but when our 16 month old tried to play it seemed to be a little to old for him he couldnt get it like our oldest could so we bought him the one from leapfrog that grows with the child and he loves it!!! the controler switches to a joystick as they get older so it is one that can be used a long time. but like i said my oldest loves the v smile so which ever you choose will be great for your little one.
(the name of the leapfrog system is little leaps.)

I have one and my daughter loved it and there are so many games for it. She no longer plays with it because she got an Leapster L-max last christmas and that is like the vsmile but its portable and she takes it everywhere with her. She has learned letters and numbers. I would have to say it depends on the child if they learn anything from it. I have heard too that video games help with there hand eye cordanations(sp.) for when they are older.
Hope this helps.

hi L.
i have one for my 6 year old and my 2 year old and i love it they are learning alot i think its the best thing they ever made for kids