LeapFrogDisney/Pixar Finding Dory Learning Game (for LeapPad Platinum, LeapPad Ultra, LeapPad2, LeapPad3)

Bought this for my 4 1/2 year old for Christmas and she likes it a lot, usually choosing it over her other LeapPad games. This game works for LeapPad 2 and 3, LeapPad Ultra, and LeapPad Platinum (which we have). This game has lots of educational value and teaches early math skills such as adding and subtracting, shape identification, logical reasoning, number sequencing, and number identification through fun short games featuring all of the Finding Dory characters (Dory, Hank, Marlin, Nemo, Becky, Bailey).Some of the games are as follows: 1. Helping Dory across the ocean by completing simple early math equations (ex: 2+3 = ___ and choosing the correct sum bubble) 2. Helping Hank and Dory sneak past the guards and the security cameras by looking for and identifying the correct shaped tanks and patterns (ex: hexagons, squares, triangles, etc.) 3. Helping Bailey and Dory use echolocation to find their way through mazes 4.Finding the correct shapes to fit the hermit crab shells 5. Helping Becky fly and collect memory shells 6. Speaking "whale" by recording the child's voice and hearing it play back. My daughter really enjoys all of the games included and though she had beginning knowledge of shapes, she has learned about more complex shapes and has also started practicing addition using this game. I love that all the characters are present and that when you complete missions and earn more memory shells, you earn puzzle pieces to put together to create a memory for Dory. The game keeps her attention for at least 30 minutes at a time and was well worth the price for the amount of fun and the skills she's learning.I'm knocking off a star, not for the content, but because the cartridge has been giving us a problem for the last month or so occasionally when it's inserted. She's had it now for about 3 months and every few times lately she gets an error message that says the cartridge isn't compatible with her LeapPad Platinum, which is clearly incorrect since it's worked just fine for the months prior. I called the LeapFrog help desk and their only solution was to blow into the cartridge and LeapPad. This really doesn't work. It doesn't do it every time, but it's annoying when it does happen. Clearly there's a glitch with the software that needs to be fixed.

My niece and nephew are both under 5. On occasion, I am tasked with watching them. “On occasion” has become more frequent than I would otherwise want, but…family… Anyway, I live in an upstairs apartment, and also have a neighbor next door. Kids stomp. They scream to talk. Sometimes, for no known reason, they break into song and/or dance. Because their parents are worthless, they also idolize John Cena, and do their best to mimic WWE style wrestling if not constantly under a watchful eye. Discipline is not an option (see ‘parents’ and ‘worthless’ cited above. Also, ‘time out’ is not discipline, see below), and therefore, distraction is key for these visits. After my DVR managed to fill itself with Dora, Wonder Pets, and all that ilk, I decided it was time to look for other options. Given their obsession with walking off with my phone, and touching everything that has buttons, LeapPad seemed reasonable.LeapPad 2 and a half dozen games became Xmas presents. The LeapPad is nearly indestructible. When the kiddos “set it down” on my solid oak coffee table, the LeapPad is unscathed, which cannot be said about the wood (distressed wood is in, right?). The thread that keeps the stylus attached must be some carbon fiber, spider web hybrid- it can withstand swinging, chewing, etc. My only complaint about the Pad is that it goes through batteries faster than a puppy can decimate your girlfriend’s shoe closet.As for the games themselves, I have no complaints. The kids appear to enjoy them, and it keeps my DVR from teaching me little kid Spanish, my dog from being harassed, my neighbors from burning wicker me in effigy, and crayon off my walls. The fact that they may actually be learning something from the games is a happy secondary effect to their distraction. When they get sick of these, I’ll buy more, because I’ve learned that you can’t put a price on silence, or the ability to simply step out of a room to use the bathroom.On a side note, parents- discipline your kids, or give permission for someone else to do it. America is the culmination of thousands of years of human education and experience, and at this rate, it’ll be flushed in 2 generations because no one knows how to say “no” anymore, and there aren’t consequences for bad behavior. Time out is not discipline. Ostracizing children to a designated area and limiting their movement does not deter them from prison, it prepares them for it.

子どもが喜んで遊びながら算数を学んでいます。ドリーやニモ好きなキンダーの子どもには有用なアイテムだと思います。手持ちのリープパッドアルティメットにも適合しました。

Granddaughter loves it

To help my granddaughter learn to read

I was very much against computer games for children, considering it far better for them to play with real things, preferably outside, but I realise that the leappad does have something to offer even small children and this game is great. My son loves it. He is 4 and has a complete aversion to holding a pen, reading, writing, or anything remotely associated to learning. But with this game he is developing his hand eye coordination, following instructions, he is practising holding a pen and I consider it fantastic that there is something out there that can encourage and stimulate him without him even realising it! The game kept him busy on a rainy holiday and a long car journey.It's not cheap but it is a good game for small children.

I'm sure it is wonderful but I had no idea that it needed something expensive before it could be used. It was just a kind of stocking filler as my son said that his little lad wanted anything to do with the Neverland Pirates. I had no idea about computer software or anything. In my mind I was buying something to lay all his Pirate toys out on, and keep together. It seemed even better that he could learn from using it, some kind of treasure hunt. I bought it a couple of months ago and we had to cancel a couple of visits due to one thing and another so I have just given it to him. His dad says it needs a computer or something to play it on as it is an educational toy. He took it with him to find out more. Just wanted to warn some silver surfer like myself that one needs to be sure what is being purchased. I was a bit rash.