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Leap Frog products have always been a part of our family, beginning with our first copy of The Letter Factory that we watched over and over with our first son eight years ago. I say first copy because it became so well worn that we actually had to purchase a new copy to replace it! So when I heard about the new SmartyAnts curriculum that’s been developed by the founders of Leap Frog, I was very interested in giving it a try.
The SmartyAnts system consists of an interactive website and a companion SmartyAnts Phonics Reading Pup that reinforces the lessons taught on the website in a fun and engaging way minus the computer, allowing children to practice the reading skills they’re currently working on any time, any place.
We received the white SmartyAnts Phonics Reading Pup to give the system a try, and my four-year-old daughter immediately fell in love with him. He’s very fluffy and cute and surprisingly cuddly and soft for something that has mechanical parts housed inside. He comes ready for fun, preloaded with 10 songs designed to help teach your child the alphabet, letter sounds, phonics, word building, and rhyming.
I decided to let my daughter just get to know the Reading Pup for several days before introducing the online aspect, and he quickly became a constant companion. But when I showed her the SmartyAnts website and how it complements the dog, that was when the real fun began. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit it, but the site showed me just how much I was underestimating what my daughter was capable of. I was under the impression that she was still working on her lower case letters and sounds, but she breezed through those right into the four-letter words level!
The SmartyAnts website is very cute and really draws your child in with activities that seem like play on the surface but are really teaching them valuable skills all the while. My daughter just devoured all of this and asks to play frequently. And the best part is that you can download new files to the Reading Pup that reinforce these skills during free time.
The SmartyAnts Phonics Reading Pup retails for just $29.99, and I fully expect him to be one of the hottest toys this holiday season. Included in the box is one SmartyAnts Phonics Reading Pup (choose husky or white pup), USB cable, parent guide, and one-month membership to SmartyAnts Web site.
One lucky Deal Seeking Mom reader will win a Phonics Reading Pup with a 1-year subscription to SmartyAnts.com!
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If you are reading this in your email or feed reader, please CLICK HERE to visit the original blog post to enter. Email entries will not be counted.
Want to win a one year subscription to Smarty Ants, as well as a Phonics Reading Pup? Just leave me a comment here, before 9pm on November 22nd, telling me about the fun ways you and your little ones have discovered learning how to read.
Prize:
(1) SmartyAnts.com Phonics Reading Pup and 1-year Subscription
This giveaway ends at 9:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, 11/22 and is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older. I’ll use Comment Contest to select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on my Giveaway Winners page. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize. Good luck!
While you’re in a contest entering mood, don’t forget to check out the Giveaway Gathering for a variety of contests being hosted on Deal Seeking Mom readers’ blogs!
Disclosure: I received a Phonics Reading Pup and a one-year subscription to SmartyAnts.com to review for this post.
Yvonne
My daughter is just now understanding more and loves for me to read to her before bed. Which is great because my son is loving it as well.
Yvonne
This is a great learning tool for kids.
Angela
My son is not a typical 3 year old. Due to vision problems and a previous heart condition he has suffered developmental delays. Even though he can’t run or jump yet he has soared past most kids his age in other areas of development. I’m not sure if he can read yet but I know he recognizes plenty of words. He has never really liked playing with regular toys either. He has always preferred books, flashcards, and educational dvd’s. One of his latest achievement was six months ago when he learned all the presidents, in order, and by full name. He actively seeks out new information and truly loves to learn. I think he would love the Phonics Reading Pup. I think it will spark an interest in more toys while building on his existing strengths.
Yvonne
I love to read to my daughter she would enjoy the pup
julie
my son and i have been working on letter recognition for the last year after he read the word “STOP” on a stop sign while driving when he was three. since then we have the most fun sounding out word we see just doing life, like at the grocery store or taking a walk around town.
Angela Newby
Never heard of this, but getting my Masters in Education and this would be a great addition to use in the literacy classroom.
cat
reading lots of books
Judy
My middle daughter learned to love reading by using the Tag system by Leapfrog. She now reads the same books as her sister who is 2 years older.
MrsK
I read one page, they read the next.
Brooke
My son started preschool this year. This would be a wonderful tool to help him start reading when the time comes!
Monica S
I would love to win this! My son loves reading books – he can’t talk yet, but he’s constantly pulling out books to look through.
Kelly
My grandaughter is 2 1/2 and loves to read. She knows her letters and some sounds. She would love this. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Rachel
We discovered reading while taking family trips in the car! We would find letters and words all around us!!
Margie
My granddaughter that we recently adopted would just love this!! She learns so quickly and loves new books!!!
Misty Bennett
what a neat idea, my daughter would love this
Cheyenne
We read a lot of books. Take turns and sound out the sounds!
Katie
This looks soo neat- !
amy mika
Oh my girls would love this
jamie stanley
my child loves reading puzzles!
amy mika
Wow my girls would love this
Donna
How cute! Great educational and fun gift for a child.
jim glass
we just read books!
dawn
love fun/educational tools!!
Niki M
Wow! I had never heard of this and I LOVE the concept! My almost 5 year old is a pet lover and would LOVE this! I have tried different products including the Tag system and they really didn’t keep her attention. I think this would be the PERFECT product for her!
Sarah Powers
I haven’t seen this before and my daughter was in love with her Puppy “Violet” by leap frog so I’m sure this would be a big HIT as well!!
Tiffany
We’ve used some work books and the starfall website to start learning letter sounds.
Dawn
how fun!
cody stanley
We do it all!
Melissa
I have a three year old. Who loves to be read too, loves puzzles, and all kinds of fun learning type toys. We have several leapfrog toys as well. i have never heard of SmartyAnts before! I really think its a great way to encourage learning in kids. When Conner and I read books I make sure to ask him questions about each page and involve him in the book, other than just reading, He seems to comprehend what is going on better when we do that. I think he would love this pup!
Amy
I’ve always read to my kids from the time they were born. My 7 year old is in second grade reading at almost a 5th grade level, and I really think all the reading to her has inspired her love of reading! My 4 year old is seeing how much her sister reads to herself, and is wanting to do it too, so we sit down and practice by sounding out the words. She’s getting pretty good! This toy would enhance that learning so much! Thanks for offering this contest!