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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.
Malissa
Oh, I would love that! My daughter and I also use the Letter Factory DVDs – she loves them & really loves when I sing it back to here even when the dvd is not on. Thanks
Jessi
I have a 3 year old and a 1 1/2 year old. It’s part of every night time routine to read a book, but I can also find them grabbing books off the shelf and ‘reading’ during the day. When we bring new books home from the library, they’re well ‘read’ until they have to go back. We got my oldest the Tag Junior for Christmas, but I’m sure this would complement their other Leap Frog learning items. They both have Scout / Violet and adore them, so I can definitely see this being another cherished companion.
Karen
I homeschool my 2 kids and enjoy watching them discover the joys of reading. We read books together each day and play lots of silly word rhyming games. Now my four year old is sounding out words and reading signs. This would make a great gift for him to continue his adventure in reading. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sarah
My 2 1/2 year old would LOVE this! He loves to bring me stacks of books to read with him. My 5 year old would love it too, as he learns to read. What a great reading tool!
susan
We don’t have a particular reading system to learn. We just read an book that she brings to me, regardless if it’s a book from her older brother or not. The more children are exposed to any type of reading, it surely helps!!
Jennifer
Leap Frog products have been great for us! My kids think its fun to read with their games!
Sarah
We go to the library every Friday for story time and my little one picks out 5 books to bring home. We read every night before she goes to bed—she LOVES books!
Steph Winey
That sounds like the perfect way to help my animal-loving daughter practicing her alphabet.
Lisa
Both of my kids learned their letters by 18 months using Leap Frog’s Letter Factory. We also use CDs in the car with music to learn phonics.
Carly McKelvy
I read a book to my 3-year-old daughter every night before bed. There are a few that she’s memorized, so now she’ll even “read” to me occasionally! I love it!
Melissa Johnson
This looks awesome my daughter would love this and best of all her 5th Birthday is November 22nd I have my fingers crossed
Jennifer H
We love our tag jr and my son loves to have story time everyday.
HARRY LAM
My son is learning with leapfrog toys
amy
Leapfrog and BOB books have been a huge help in our house
Sarah
Looks like a great toy! My daughter isn’t 2 yet, but she’s already getting a start at learning to read with leapfrog toys and shows like Super Why.
Elena
books with sound and music do it for me
Annette Herbst
My nephew stayed with me when he was born and I started out reading him People magazine and we have grown really close reading books together. Reading is VERY important in our family. Thanks for the chance
megan
My little 6 year old struggles with reading. I think this would be a great help!
amanda b
Every night I read to my 3yr old & newborn daughters. Sometimes during the day as well while I am nursing. We never have enough reading material and go to the library weekly. I had never heard about the pup until now, and our eldest wants a puppy anyway, this would kill 2 birds with 1 stone and none of the mess….lol
Isel
My 3 yr old loves to read. At first it was just part of bedtime routine but not anymore; its fun! However, I have never introduced him to any electronic books so I would love the opportunity to try the website and see what he is capable of. Mostly because we speak spanish at home and are now trying to introduce reading in english as well!!
Jana
My kids have really enjoyed using the hooked on phonics programs.
jen b
We also loved The Letter Factory, as well as Talking Words Factory. We read multiple books per day, and early reading books like Bob Books. My daughters LOVE to be read to and my 4 year old loves to read small words on her own. Hope we win, my girls would LOVE this!
michelle
I have a two year old little boy who would love this. He loves dogs so much and to have learning with it would be a plus for mommy too. So I pray that we win this… God bless you and happy holidays!!!
melissa thompson
my 2 yr old would love this tto. he loves books.
Jenny
We read a lot here. My boys love reading! We have watched the Leapfrog DVD’s and they love SuperWhy. Great show that covers a lot of good reading behaviors!
Desiree Torres
We use alphabet books, read stories together, talk about letters we see outside in the street and everywhere we go. We cut and paste letters onto paper and make ABC books, and we’ve even created a book of popular logos and candy labels! He loves to learn and he would LOVE this Phonics Reading Pup! It would be awesome to keep him motivated and continue to love reading.
Mary Alice
While my son is only one year old, we have been using books since he was three months old. We read alphabet books, books from the Where’s Spot series, etc. I would LOVE to win this!!
Heather
I take the girls to the library and we read books a lot!
Yvonne
MY DAUGHTER WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS.. THANKS FOR SHARING TARA
Susan
My son and I enjoy reading together.