Would You Be Offended if Your Own Mom Wanted to Give You a LeapFrog System?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
November 21, 2008 10:40am CST
My mom asked me if I would like the LeapFrog Tag Reading System. This system is made for 4-8 year olds, kids just learning to read. You put the pen on a word and then it will say that word. That way kids can read without an adult around to help them.
Now I'll admit I have really bad reading abilities, to the point of sometimes just claiming to be illiterate to get out of reading something (that's generally if I have a headache, because then my reading abilities are even more crummy than they normally are). But I don't think a children's learning system for reading is going to help me!
Granted, I think my mom thought that the pen was an optical scanner and would read the words on anything, not just the LeapFrog books. But I think it's just a sensor that can detect something planted underneath the word in those specific books only. Especially since it's only $50. Now if there was such an optical scanner that could read words like that, that would be awesome! I would love that for restaurants when I usually just have to ask what's vegetarian on the menu and is the server's favorite item, and then I'll pick that. But the LeapFrog one offended me, just because I don't have good reading abilities that doesn't mean I want a present meant for a 4 year old!
3 people like this
8 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
21 Nov 08
That actually looks pretty good, I was debating on getting it for my kids! But yes I would be offended if my Mum offered to get one for me, but then maybe she was just thinking of it helping you she may not have fully realised the age it was for.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
23 Nov 08
I do not think she would have intentionally meant to offend you but it is easy to get the wrong idea I do it all the time!
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Nov 08
I would not want it. For a four year old, yes, but for an adult or an almost adult no. Is there not a better system like that Nintendo DES (I hope I got the name right). At least that has cartridges or what you call them for adult, like that helping you keep fit. That sensor would only work on the Leap Frog Book. Maybe it is not your reading ability, maybe it is your eyes. You might need glasses more than you need how to read. Or if you are dyslectic, why not look for books, maybe in combination with audio that will help you, something along the line of a vocabulary book. I know I sometimes reverse some letters.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I don't think the Nintendo DS has any reading games, but I could be mistaken. I know they have math and music games.
I have a Gameboy Advanced, but I hardly ever use it. I have some games for it, but I just never have the time to play with anything like that.
It's not my eyes, it's my brain that keeps me from reading. Or that's what they tell me. It sure seems like it's my eyes. But I do have glasses already, well, colored filter lenses. I do love audiobooks though. I think I have a fairly good vocabulary, but I am still studying for the GRE and definitely need more vocabulary for that. I didn't like WordSmart though and I'm not sure what else is out there.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I think mom wants to help you read better but doesn't know how.I wasn't a fan of reading when I was young until I got to read what I wanted to read. Is there any type of book that you like? For me, I like sultry books like Sidney Sheldon and Harold Robbins write.When I was in my teens , I Finally got to read their books. My reading did improve.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
24 Nov 08
The only type of books I would read as a kid were the books that you could learn from. I would read books on how things worked or encyclopedias or other reference books. But reading went very slowly and these took a long time to complete. If I was going to read something though, I wanted to gain something from it at least. But I still didn't like reading, I just liked learning.
So even reading for learning did not exactly improve my reading.
Now though there are several types of books that I enjoy. But I would never read them if they weren't on audio. I'll actually read just about anything on audio, but I do have my favorites. I like books that expose certain industries and I enjoy crazy memoirs as well. But unfortunately I just wouldn't be able to read them on paperback. In fact, I've read some books on audio that I read on paperback and I've been shocked at all the stuff I missed. And reading on paperback just takes me far too long.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 Feb 09
I can see both sides of this...it is kind of insulting to be given a preschool age learning device but at the same time I can see where your mom is trying to help you learn to read more. Perhaps you could talk to her and see if you and her could pick out some more appropriate aged things.
I am very weak in math and actually am about grade 7 or 8 when it comes to math but I'm college level in my reading. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
28 Feb 09
Yeah, I told my mom that unless she wants to spend a couple thousand dollars and get the device mentioned for me above, to just get regular gifts. It was nice of her to want to help, but my reading cannot be helped.
7th or 8th grade math is unfortunately considered college level in some areas. I have to retake algebra and trig, which I consider to be 7th and 8th grade level courses, because they have expired. Yes it will be easy to get an A, but it's annoying to have to retake classes that shouldn't even be college courses. I guess you probably feel just the opposite but with English!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
21 Nov 08
You do write amazingly well for someone who believes they are not a good reader. Are you dyslexic? This is just my opinion, but I imagine you read a whole lot better than you give yourself credit for.
I imagine your mom only meant well and was not aware of the childish level of the LeapFrog system. I wouldn't be offended on this one, if I were you.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I'm not dyslexic. I have scotopic sensitivity syndrome (www.irlen.org for more information). I've been tested for dyslexia though and while I had a lot of problems during the testing, I didn't have a problem with spelling or speech which would be more likely in someone dyslexic.
@thecrazyjogger (3178)
• India
21 Nov 08
hmm since its the first time i'm hearing abt it .. nsome1 gave it to me.. i dunno.. maybe not. .i'd use it a lil n then fwd the gift to some1 else
