Rules as simple as this, can keep your child from the monotony involved in extended play of one game, and introduce a "freshness" with each new use of the LeapPad. The green is also semi-metallic and has a nice look to it – I don't think my 2 year old cares, but I was secretly wishing for a metallic green finish for my iPad. My son has some great games that we acquired while he was enjoying the LeapPad (1), and both of us are happy that he can continue to play those games on the LeapsterGS. Last year we contemplated the purchase of adult tablet or a children’s version tablet/system for Christmas.

I would advise a screen cover and gel screen to protect it as our original LeapPad screen broke easily. I created a side-by-side comparison chart that compares/contrasts some of the important features of these devices. This was easy to install (literally just put the chip into the device) and the both boys spent all day on it.I'm happy to report that now, a year later, that LeapPad is still going strong and in the hands of my 2-year-old. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. For elementary school-aged children with ADHD who struggle to thrive in the traditional classroom environment, LeapPad makes for a great learning alternative. Although it has a proprietary graphical front end, it runs an Angstrom Linux distribution on the same Cortex-A9 processor as the LeapsterGS. While there are certainly games that require your child to shift his gameplay strategy (usually following a failed attempt or low score), alternating between different types of games also exercise your child's flexibility skills.

Because apps range in content, from educational to "gamey," and even as a medium for reading books, children with ADHD will engage their flexibility skills by shifting between different types of games.The majority of the apps we tried are clearly American and tailored to an American market, and the ‘Hey, Wow! Of course, these devices don’t have the LeapPad 2’s ease of use, robust built quality or built-in child safety. Explain to you child how he can monitor his own progress, and implement Leap Pad's helpful tips by himself. We wouldn’t recommend leaving a normal tablet with your kids unsupervised, particularly with a live Internet connection. And even though he doesn't understand most of the rules of the games available or some of the more advanced drawing and animation tools (such as those found in the really cool Disney drawing app), he still has a blast playing with it.

I was quite amazed at how quickly he got to grips with the functions and I have to say that I am impressed with the educational aspect of the LeapPad although I wouldn't want him to have unrestricted LeapPad time - we use it as an occassional toy and he seems happy with that. Make sure you have 4 AA batteries ready for when the item arrives or you will have a very frustrated child! While it may be limiting as the child gets older, it lack of internet access, helps to block out distractions that otherwise might interfere with your child's ability to learn. The 5 year old is keeping the GS close, however, and even dear old Dad is finding it hard to sneak in some time with Phineas and Ferb. The constant twangy voiceovers may drive you mad in the car or a restaurant, so I would recommend headphones if you value your sanity!

Using games like Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure can help your child practice math skills. The ones we have are enjoyed by our 4 year old and he will play quite contentedly, but they are more about chasing balls/ dinosaurs footprints or drawing mickey mouse. I don't allow him to use my iPad by himself, so he's quite impressed with himself when he's allowed to pick it up and walk around with it.

Whether your child likes dinosaurs, cars, or mystery stories, LeapPad's library of e-books will have something that will spark your child's interest. I handed the box to my 2 year old – I thought he was going to gnaw through the box once he realized what was inside – and my 5 year old began to fuss. The LeapPad Ultra is a great device, I hope that in a few years, LeapFrog will find a way to improve the speed of app to app transitions. LeapFrog is committed to it’s consumers by providing quality content that does not become obsolete over time, using recognizable characters with fun games and features children enjoy. The flexible, tear-resistant cover personalises the look of your device with a custom-fit design that wraps around the corners, back and side.When he first turns it on, he sees a picture of himself (and his name) that he's since learned to tap on with the stylus to open up access to his apps. Aside from games and apps, LeapPad 2 also has a wide range of downloadable e-books, allowing the tablet to be used as a beginner's e-reader. On the negative side, tablets are still a sizable investment, and most of us feel a little uneasy when they’re in the grips of a five-year-old, or being prodded hard and repeatedly by more impatient youngsters.