iXL - New Fisher Price Electronic Learning System for Kids

I have struggled for the last couple of months trying to determine which gaming / learning system to get for my almost-4 year old daughter and I finally ended up choosing the Fisher Price iXL 6-in-1 Learning System.  I brought her to a store which had several different systems on display to try out, including the V-Tech Mobigo, the LeapFrog Explorer and Leapster systems, and this iXL learning system.  She played with them all and when I asked her which one she would choose to have she chose the Fisher Price one.

I have struggled with this decision because I am not a fan at all of video games and have not wanted my kids to be “babysat” by them.  Yet I heard that the systems for younger kids are very educational, so I decided to check them out for myself.  I realized that they were, in fact, educational in many ways – learning letters, sounds, practicing manual dexterity, using imagination and creativity and more. 

Then there was the problem of which one? Well, they are all pretty good in their own way. The Fisher Price iXL 6-in-1 Learning System includes six ways to play: reading, games, notepad, music player, photo viewer, and art studio.

It opens like a book which is pretty cool and helps to protect it as well. It has a volume control (big plus) and even a headphone jack! It comes with a software disc that you can install on your home computer that enables you to be able to download new software to the device, as well as your own photos and music.

1. Digital Reader - The reader has two modes, Read-to-Me or Play. In the Read-to-Me mode, the child simply can listen to the book being read while watching the pictures and seeing the words being read highlighted. There’s even a pause button. In Play mode, the child listens to the story being read and can use the stylus to touch objects on the page and explore and learn more. After the story is over, the child can play a comprehension game.
2. Game Player - The iXL comes with a preloaded game (and there are many more available for purchase separately). The preloaded game involves a monkey that the child moves around the screen by pressing arrows with the stylus to help the monkey collect bundles of bananas in numerical order. There are additional levels of play as well.
3. Note Pad - This allows the child to practice writing letters (capital and lowercase), numbers and words. The child can watch the letters or numbers being drawn on the screen and then try it on their own.
4. Art Studio - The player can create their own artwork here by drawing on preloaded pictures and backgrounds. Colors and styles (pencil, spray paint, paintbrush) can be selected and there are also stampers (icons) that can be used to place onto the drawings. The child can even listen to music while drawing.
5. MP3 Player - There are 5 pre-loaded songs on the iXL, but you can download your own music onto it by connecting it to your home computer.
6. Photo Viewer - View a few preloaded pictures, download your own pictures onto it and view all pictures and also draw on a picture and have fun.

There’s a wide range of additional software available for the iXL, including many favorites from the world of kid’s entertainment…