Supplementing Our Learning with the LeapFrog LeapStart #LeapFrogMoms #Sponsored

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% honest, and have not been influenced in any way.***

Well, we're back to school here in NE Ohio! It was a long, fun-filled summer, but now we're getting our pens and paper and are ready to learn! 

Sophie is in 1st grade this year, and Xander just started Kindergarten. We're enrolled in the K12 at home learning program, so I am lucky to be extremely involved in their academic lives. While they have actual teachers that they connect with online on a daily basis, Dan and I are the kids' Learning Coaches, which gives us a very hands-on insight into the kids' struggles and achievements. 

Sophie, as always, is ahead of the game. She's pretty advanced for her age, so there are no real struggles for her when it comes to learning. She's quite an over-achiever, just like her Mommy was at her age. 

Xander, however, is a different story. He is often resistant to anything that has to do with reading or letters. Math he LOVES, but his ABCs are another story. In fact, when we've tried to sit with him and teach him to read, we've been met with screaming, shouting, crying, and some head-rotation and pea soup spewing. Okay, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the general idea. 

When we learned about the new LeapFrog LeapStart Reading system, we couldn't wait to check it out. This system is an interactive way to pair technology with traditional books, making learning easier and more fun than ever for tech-savvy kids like my Xander. 

We received the LeapStart™ Kindergarten & 1st Grade Interactive Learning System, plus several books, to check out for ourselves. There is also a slightly smaller LeapStart™ Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten Interactive Learning System for younger kids. 

The books have 4 different levels, which teach over 50 different skill sets. These books range from Preschool all the way to First Grade, and offer so many different subjects, from letter and number identification, STEM skills, identifying feelings, and even math problems! 

We received the following books along with our LeapStart :

Level 1: Preschool
Alphabet Adventures with Music – letters/sounds, book/reading basics, rhyme/alliteration
Shapes & Colors with Creativity – 2D shapes, patterns, rhythms/music

Level 2: Pre-Kindergarten
Pet Pal Puppies Math with Social Emotional Skills – 1-20, sorting, emotions
Pre-K STEM with Teamwork – trial/error, problem solving, observations
First Day of School with Critical Thinking – school routines, calendar skills, adjusting to new tasks
Level 3: Kindergarten 
Kids’ World Atlas with Global Awareness – map skills, continents, cultures
Amazing Animals with Conservation – adaptations, conservation, animal features

Level 4: 1st Grade
Space Science – solar system, sun characteristics, tools for space study
Superhero Vocabulary with Communication Skills – compound words, advanced vowels, word shapes

As you can see, the LeapStart is pretty similar to older versions of LeapFrog products. It's more sleek and compact, though, and offers things like a headphone jack, a stylus that allows kids to fine-tune their writing, internal space for 8+ books, and even built-in storage on the back of the unit. This makes it easy for kids to learn on the go! There is also a USB included which allows you to download the books to the unit. 

The books fit into the LeapStart, and can be read by the stylus. Kids just touch their stylus to the images on the pages, and the books come to life! Not only will they learn to read and identify numbers and letters, they can also take part in games and other activities sure to make learning FUN. And we all know that kids do their learning best when they're having fun! 

Sophie and Xander have both been enjoying their LeapStart Learning Systems. Xander is sticking to the "younger" books for now, and Sophie feels right at home with the First Grade books. She especially likes the Space Science book!

Xander is actually willing to sit down and learn without protesting, and that's a pretty major accomplishment in our house. He loves being able to use the stylus to guide him through the activities. He is all smiles for once as he works on learning. This is a MAJOR, MAJOR success for him! 

My kiddos are having lots of fun learning with their new LeapFrog LeapStarts. They like it because it's interactive and fun. As a mom, I love the LeapStart because it teaches not only ABCs and 123s, but also things like critical thinking, emotional intelligence, different cultures, and even conservation. These are things that are often overlooked, but are just as important as any academic subject. 

If you have young kids who could use a boost in learning, definitely check out the new LeapStart by LeapFrog. This system is easy to use, very portable, and teaches little ones a wide range of skills they will need as they head to school this season. 

A++ from this family! 

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