I tried out the Leapfrog Phonics Writing Desk recently at the shopping center.
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!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the Leapfrog range. It really did help my youngest daughter learn to read which was, for some reason, more of a challenge for her than it was for my older children. I found that the leapfrog reader really engaged her and made what she say as a chore, somewhat interesting and fun. I’m not familiar with the writing desk you tried but it is always dissapointing when the picture doesn’t accurately represent the product.
ABO – Do you have a name? Be nice to attach a name to a URL I’m chatting with
Ya, I think we have a few Leapfrog stuff at home, which my son loves playing with again and again. I can understand how you feel about seeing progress in your little girl. I’m helping my 3.5 years now with handwriting…but also wondering if it’s too early!