I tried out the LeapFrog Phonics Writing Desk
Since I’d earned some money from a writing project, I thought I’d get a nice present for my boy as he’s settled into the Chinese preschool so well.
I have to admit that I worry about him a bit especially as I haven’t been giving him any pre-handwriting worksheets to do here. Also, those pre-handwriting workbooks are not that easy to find around here.
Since he’s learning more Chinese than English at preschool, I thought this Phonics Writing Desk would be useful for me to work on his handwriting at home. The version I tried had Chinese instructions printed instead of English.
The Phonics Writing Desk looks like an extension of the Leapfrog Fridge Phonics set as it had similar alphabets which vocalized the individual sounds for each letter. This set had the addition of lower case alphabets printed next to each capital letter.
To help the child practise handwriting, a display screen shows a letter (upper or lower case) for the child to print onto the double lines below.
Besides letters, the child will also learn to print words by selecting this function using the sliding button above. Seems like a great tool to practise spelling too 
There is also a “create-a-word” function which enables the child some degree of ‘free writing’.
I had great fun trying to Phonics Writing Desk out and was all ready to buy it but then, I was disappointed by the poor quality of:
a) the display screen – the letters do not appear as boldy as it does in the product photo and
b) the handwriting section – I had to apply quite a bit of pressure to write out each letter. I understand that preschoolers may grip pencils quite hard when they’re learning to write. Even so, the letters didn’t appear as clearly as shown on the product photo.
Even the sales assistant who helped me (seeing it used the first time) had to agree with me on this point. If you’re getting this for a toddler or preschooler, do try it out first.
In fact, bring the child along to test it out!
Click here
Similar Posts:
- Leapfrog’s Fridge Phonics
- REVIEW: Love from Nicky by Hertha von Gebhardt
- REVIEW: Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
- REVIEW: Paddington’s ABC 123 Colors and Opposites
- REVIEW: shu uemura Depsea Moisture Replenishing Eye Mask
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks to the leapfrog ranges. I have a DVD Letter factory, Word factory and talking factory. My kids loved it very much and learned from it alot. This film teaches my boys especially my 4 years and 2 years old sons about their alphabet. my 4 years old son had known how to write his alphabet from A-Z capital and small alike. My 2 years old son had recognized his alphabet from A-Z and the sounds of them all….
I’m very happy seeing the progress of my little kids which also makes me worry if it’s too early for them to learn from the leapfrog production.
Again thanks to leapfrog ranges. I just have a question on how to purchase your leapfrog Phonics Writing Desk cause there’s no such kind of production here in my country. Please help
Kathy Beb – We’ve only got the Leapfrog Fridge Phonics but I’m buying the Word Builder for them soon since my boy is getting all excited over spelling now.
I’m not sure which country you’re from but you might want to try Amazon? They deliver almost everything everywhere