Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table

The LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table is a hot toy this Christmas and it's easy to see why once you learn about it.

Find best price for LeapFrog Musical Table here

This toy aimed at 6 to 36 month old children will provide you with a sure thing when you need some entertainment for your young one. It has over 40 songs in styles not often found in other toys – jazz, blues, and others. The volume control works (Thank you LeapFrog!), and features a bilingual option which is otherwise only found with Dora toys. Learning activities are not only number and color recognition, but also motor control by moving the items on the table with roll, slide and spinning actions. Concepts are also provided such as open/closed and other opposites.

Features
· Learn & Groove with 15 activities and over 40 songs and melodies!
· Activities provide opportunities for baby to explore with a roll, tap, slide or spin.
· Includes a variety of music styles for baby to enjoy.
· Features legs to attach to table as baby grows.
· Introduces shapes, numbers and counting 1-10 in English and Spanish.

A highly rated and frequently reviewed toddler toy, I spent hours reading hundreds of reviews before purchasing this item. I’ve summaries the most frequent comments from reviewers across the web (epinions, Amazon, and others). It boils down to the following pros/cons:

PROS

· Durable - many commented on how toddlers pounded on it but it stood up well.
· Entertaining - overwhelmingly parents were impressed with how it held the attention of young children. The variety of activities and modes of play kept the toy in use for long periods
· Easy assembly– it is a snap to load in the batteries and play with no delays or reading instructions. Parents of babies leave the legs off. Some toddlers enjoyed playing with it having two legs attached and propped up at an angle, older kids like standing and scooting around it to the next activity.
· Portable – small enough and light enough to take to Grandma and Grandpas or on long trips.

CONS

· Unstable– babies just learning to pull up need to have the table stabilized against a wall or person so that they do not pull it down on top of them. Once they’ve gotten stronger and more control it doesn’t seem to be a problem, but it is not sturdy enough for babies first learning to pull up.
· Flimsy - In general, most felt this was a well constructed toy, except for one part. There is a door the kids can open and close which is easily pulled off. In the picture above it is a lime green rectangular door. Many parents found it easier just to keep it off once it had been removed.
· Eats Batteries – quite a few parents were frustrated with the amount of batteries this toy could go through. Getting a set of quality rechargeable batteries and a charger is highly recommended.


Child Development
The Child Development Institute recommends toys which:

• Can be used in many ways
• Allow children to determine the play
• Appeal to children at more than one age or level of development
• Can be used with other toys for new and more complete play
• Will stand the test of time and continue to be part of play as develop new interest and skills
• Help children develop skills important for further learning and a sense of mastery

The Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table meets all these recommendations.

Music Education Impacts

• Develop self-esteem and body attentiveness.
• Develops the quality of auditory discrimination in the child.
• Listening to the sounds of instruments encourage motor development and creative development.
• Movement to music helps children to learn balance, coordination and rhythm.
• Enhanced cognitive skills like counting as well as learning of alphabets, days of the week, address, phone number, etc.