LeapFrog QuickStart - Educational Toy, Computer Skills Training for Young Children

The LeapFrog ClickStart is a computer tricycle. At a retail price around $60, you can use it to introduce computer concepts to your child in a simple, safe way. There are also many software packages available. Although it doesn't have Internet capability, parents of children in its target age range (3-6 years) generally find that to be an advantage. You can step up to one of several beginning computers such as the Eee PC when your child is ready, at a price of around $400.

You can get a LeapFrog ClickStart at Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, or online at those companies' websites, Amazon.com, or Leapfrog.com, which means it's easy to check one out first hand. LeapFrog has been making educational electronic toys for some time, and the ClickStart plays a role as educational game console for young children, and also a trainer for future PC use, teaching keyboard skills and mouse navigation.

Parent documentation gives clear instructions for guiding the child's use of the device, and covers the many games available for the unit, available in age ranges up to 8, and with familiar themes such as Finding Nemo, Dora the Explorer, and Thomas the Tank Engine, and teaching a variety of skills such as art, ABCs, and symbol matching, math, science, logic, and even world languages, as well as more basic "early skills" such as animal noises and names, colors, and letter names and sounds. Game cost is up to $25.

The unit uses a regular television as a monitor, and there's an available power adapter for long-term use. The bright colored, child-sized and child-friendly design has won numerous awards, according to the LeapFrog website.

Home PCs are complicated, adult-sized, and often inadvertently open doors that young children shouldn't explore. The LeapFrog ClickStart is a good starting point for PC use as well as skills training, but like any electronic toy it is somewhat isolating, and might be tempting to use as a babysitter. Parent participation in the child's ClickStart activities, offering encouragement and guidance, will help the child deal with frustration and keep human contact a part of the learning process.