Double Review: SavvySource/Leap Frog TAG

This is a two-fold review of two products from Leap Frog. One, which is a remote controlled reading toy, and the other is a Web site with resources for parents of preschoolers.

The Leap Frog TAG, which you can learn more about here, is a bit advanced for my girls. However, I know it will eventually become quite a hit. We already have the first stage, the Leap Frog My First Leap Pad, which is a similiar idea to the TAG in that you can push on the images and hear the word or sound. The TAG does the same thing but with words as well. At a price of nearly $50, the TAG is pricey, but I can see it being a great car tool for any length trip as well as being something a child can easily use for some quiet time.

Nothing beats good old fashioned one-on-one learning between a child and parent or between a teacher and a student but the TAG could easily become a household supplement.

What is most promising from this review, for myself and my family, is SavvySource, a Web site that Leap Frog has designed for parents of preschoolers. The basic idea is to rate and review preschools, but it's also to help parents work with preschoolers.

You may have noticed the very large (way too large, if you ask me) sidebar ad for SavvySource quizzes. You may have thought twice about clicking on it. However, I encourage you to do so.

I did it for this review and I have returned to it several times and not for the review. First, you register and then take quizzes (they aren't too long, but they are detailed) about your child's progress. You can answer the questions for each child separately, which could be time consuming if you have a few young ones.

I've never felt the quizzes made my daughters seem less bright in any areas even though they have scored rather high on all of those quizzes, thus far. There are certain things they haven't gotten to, yet, but I'm sure it's just their age and natural learning curve. I've taken the language development, music and arts quizzes. I took another one but by not logging in first, my work was lost. Bummer. So, register and sign in first!!

So, since I've learned we mostly on target for all areas, which include language development, spacial awareness, visual arts, science, music and social skills, I have just enjoyed learning. After the quiz, you are automatically directed to a list of toys and activities ranging in price that would help with those particular skills. Be sure to scan the list for the FREE activities. Or, just go to the Activities tab at the top and search by the category. The activities are written by parents, and you are free to add your own as well.

Some of the fun ones we tried were:

Body painting: which you can see the results of here.

Water bottle fun: Why I hadn't thought of this sooner is beyond me. Well, I had in that I had two bottles out for them to help me with spraying the wallpaper for removal. But, to take those same bottles outside and let them have at it with all the plants and trees was literally brilliant. They were doing this over the weekend by spraying a balloon held by Dad, too, and it made great target practice for hand-eye coordination. Plus, the sound was incredible!

Circles in the sand: We did a variation of this and it, too, was a huge hit. I used baking pans and they spent a long time drawing in it. Then, they started using their feet to draw in the sand. By the end, as if I need to actually write it, they were sitting in the sand on the pans. Very easy clean up, too. I love those for just an average day.

Backyard Boogie: We didn't really dance because taking music outside is nearly impossible at our house since we don't have a portable player. However, we took our musical instruments outside and did our shaker game/dance and that was a real blast. Something about being outside in the fresh air and getting jiggy with it was out of the ordinary fun.

There are literally hundreds more I want to do including these few: Sticker tag (yup, the game you know and love from your childhood but using stickers), homemade sprinklers, backyard camping with our tent, bicycle wash, treasure hunt in the yard and Monkey See, Monkey Do dancing.

Since doing activities is part of my whole motherhood gig, this site has been such a refreshing find. Everything you've ever wanted to do with your toddler and more -- in one location. I plan to add my own ideas to it soon.

All in all, I think Leap Frog is on to something with it's attempts to help young children learn and develop. These products, the TAG and SavvySource, are just two more additions to what is already a pretty solid line of products.

Now, I have to refer this program to five other bloggers. Let me know if you might be interested.

Also, a disclaimer: By writing this review, I will be receiving an honorarium as well as possible CPM earnings.