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Learning Game Consoles for Young Children?

Posted by Cliff on from the entertainment-and-education-rolled-into-one dept.

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."

4 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Just don't forget... by jbarr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...to also challenge him with other things to develop his imagination and creativity.

    "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.

    --
    My mom always said, "Jim, you're 1 in a million." Given the current population, there are 7000 of me. God help us all!
  2. First words by Yeechang+Lee · · Score: 4, Funny
    My wife and I are looking into purchasing a game based learning console for our 4 year old boy this Christmas . . . We also have a 2 year old boy so something that lasts would be nice.

    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!
  3. GameCube by turtled · · Score: 4, Informative

    I play GameCube side by side with my four year old. It is amazing the things he remembers and associates with. The way he can control characters is awesome. It builds map skills, memory skills, and hand eye coordination.

    --
    "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud
  4. Re:I remember being 4... by OregonComputerSoluti · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or better yet.... LOG!!!

    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!