WHO............................ LeapFrog, an educational products company
Address............................. 2608 Ninth St., Berkeley, Calif. 94710.
Telephone........................ 1- 800-701-LEAP.
WHAT/HOW................. Phonics Learning System (TM), a toy-like, patented, interactive electronic learning aid. It is a self-contained alphabet and reading learning center available in the form of a child's desktop, the Phonics Desk, or in a portable, compact travel model, the Phonics Traveler. In both products, children can push down on plastic letters which will say their names. More importantly, children can press down on letters in the context of Talking Phonics Cards and hear the phonetic sounds those letters make, and then the words formed by combining those phonetic sounds. Each comes complete with "Partners in Learning" parents manual.
Phonics Desk (TM)...................... 17"L x 13"W x 5"D. Constructed of washable, durable, lightweight plastic in bright, primary colors. Comprised of removable, magnetic letters and comes with a Primer set of 20 illustrated Talking Phonics Cards. Desk opens to store letters and cards. Powered by four AA batteries (not included) and is AC adaptable. Has built-in headset port. Suggested retail price of $49.95.
Phonics Traveler (TM)............... 13"L x 7"W x 3"D. Weighs 2.3 lbs. Smaller, portable version of Desk. Has built-in handle and non- removable letters. Phonics cards store in back. Powered by four AA batteries (not included). Has built-in headset port. Suggested retail price of $29.95.
Talking Phonics Cards (TM)...... Comprised of 6 sets (20 cards each; 120 cards total) of illustrated Talking Phonics Cards. Complete series leads child from alphabet basics to more complex phonics concepts. Desk-size card sets retail for suggested $12.95 each. Traveler-size card sets retail for suggested $6.95 each.
WHY........................... LeapFrog's toys address a vital need, the development of solid reading skills. They encourage adult-child interaction. The teaching toys incorporate a multi- sensory approach to a 6-step educational curriculum developed by Dr. Robert Calfee and Kristy Dunlap, leading educators at Stanford University's Graduate School of Education.
WHERE........................ Available at specialty toy retailers, major cataloguers, educational supply stores, and Toys 'R Us nationwide.