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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.
Susan Salerno
We would always snuggle in her bean bag chair or in bed while reading. Always special time!!
Angela
I used Hooked on Phonics and the old standby, Dick and Jane, with my son when I taught him to read 2 years ago. My 4-year old daughter is now almost ready to read, but she likes to do everything “by herself”, so I think the Smarty Ants game would work best with her learning style. Thanks for the opportunity!
mary
would love to own one on top with a one year free subsription what a fantastic christmas present for my little one
Christie
We are a big leap frog family too! I like the sounds of this pup. My son just started kindergarten and could use some extra help with his phonics and word building. Plus I have a 3 year old that would really enjoy this as well! Here’s to hoping!
kathleen
My 4 yr. old granddaughter is just starting to learn to read. My daughter, Elizabeth’s mom, works very hard with all four of her children. This beautiful little girl has had a speech problem. But with the family’s concentrated help, she has just about conquered the problem. I think the phonics dog would be another help. Thanks for the contest!
Stephanie
With a 1-year old and a 3-year old, we haven’t starting “reading” yet. We spend a lot of time looking at books, with Mommy reading a word or two from the pages as they are being flipped quickly (and more than one at a time).
Idaho Jill
My 3 year old memorizes what I say quite well, so she can go back and “read” the page the next day. She also has a bugsby that she just loves!
Sandra U.
I have 8 kids and my older kids are bookworms who love to read. My youngest 3 ages 6,3,1 could need some help since they are learning to read. They love to memorize the stories and pictures as I’m reading to them they try to help me tell the story.
Jana
My daughter loves it when her big sister reads to her. Everything big sister does is so cool.
Nicole McDonald
My daughter is 4 and is using ClickNKids
karina
I absolutely love watching my children learn how to read. It’s so much fun to see them go from not getting it to getting it! My daughter loves opportunities to show what she knows, but she’s lazy to try to learn something new, so technology is a great way to help her want to learn.
ann
My oldest son and I did a lot of reading together as well as using several leapfrog toys until he was old enough to use the Leapster. He has now moved on to using the Didj to help with higher learning skills. My baby (9 months) is playing with Scout as well as being read to and playing with several other toys. I cannot wait until he learns that we read books, not eat them :)
dawn
my 3 1/2 year old would love this she already has the leap frog books and tag reader!!!
Hana
Ooh, I hadn’t seen this cute product before. We recently recently ordered adn received the alphabet book with orchestral instruments played by the cute different animals. we loved that, as I am a musician myself. :o) And we have many musician friends with littles ones who come over and we see every week.
This sounds like it would be wonderful to win! thanks for posting!
Most of the links in this article don’t work though.
Hana
Oh, and another thing I noticed, one of your links to amazon.com sells it for $69.99, not the $29.99 you noted. :o(
JEN C
My daughter just started showing interest in reading and this will be perfect for her.
amanda
We always read a book before bedtime.
Tracey
My almost 3 year old likes to “read” books to me and her older sister, she also loves to choose books at the library
Liz
We also love leapfrog products. Neither of my children are at the point of reading yet; however, both will sit still as I read.
Liz
I subscribe via email.
Lauren
we read before bed each night
Hollie
We love Leap Frog! We would put this to good use, our 5 yr old is learning how to read now and we are always looking for ways to help since he has speech problems.
isa marin
well my babies 1 and she acts like she can read.. we sit together .. i read to her, ans then she repeats it back to me in her own little way..
Amy
I have 2 boys, 5 and 2. My oldest just started kindergarten this year and is so proud of his beginning reading abilities. He comes home with easy readers from school each week. He sits down with his little brother and reads to him whenever a new book comes home- they both love it! We would adore this puppy in our house- he would get so much use from these 2 boys!
Tiffany S
I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old and neither of them can read, but to help them, we read books together every day as well as signs we pass, items on menus, etc. I like to think it helps ;)
Jessica
we use teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons as well as Bob books.
DK
I read to my 7 month old every day (and have done so since he was a newborn.) I am hoping this will instill in him a love of reading. I can’t wait until he can read the books to me :)
robyn
my son had NO interest in conventional learning…so in order to get him learning his letters and number we play ” i spy” in the car and practice letters and numbers that way! he loves it and can now spell his name and do addition.
megan
We taught them by looking at books of all kinds from a young age, we even got creative in the kitchen by reading them recipes out of cookbooks.
megan
I get your emails.