The KD Tech Too Tablet Review

As part of our KD Mumbassador role Leo has been trying a selection of their product range, and then I have been telling you all about our overall experience. I watch Leo as he plays with the toys he is sent, and then share our first hand thoughts and feelings about each product.

On this occasion Leo has been trying out the Tech Too Alphabet Tablet, we have had this a few months now and it’s a toy that we often take out with us in the car. It’s great as we can fit it comfortably in the changing bag, it’s thin and light and takes up hardly any room.

Not to mention it keeps my almost 3 year old entertained while we are out and about, it’s great to just keep in the changing bag, or in the car so that it is there should we need to distract Leo for any reason. 

The Tech Too Tablet is recommended from the age of 3 years and over, but Leo is getting the hang of it and is quite happy to flick between the games and play in his own little way. What I really love about it is that as with all of the KD range, Leo is learning as he plays and absorbing lessons all at the same time.

There is a lot going on within this realistic looking tablet, and I think that is why it has proved as popular as it has with Leo. There are 5 different game modes to play:

Game 1 is touch a letter - When you press a letter on the tablet it sounds out the letter and provides an example. For instance 'F says F as in Fish'.

Game 2 is finding letters - The tablet asks you to find the first letter of a word. For instance 'Can you find the first letter of the word Tiger?' Once you press the correct word it sounds out the letter and congratulates you.

Game 3 is a spelling game - The tablet asks you to spell a word. For example 'Can you spell the word Rabbit?'Once you spell the word out it sounds the word back to you.

Game 4 is a letter finding exercise - The tablet tells you to 'Listen carefully and touch the letter as quick as you can'. You then have to find the correct letter that has been assigned to you. 

Game 5 plays a selection of short tunes.

Each of the games can be selected form along the top of the tablet. Each of the games help promote letter and word recognition, spelling, and pronunciation, all really important aspects that will aid them as they grow.

As we have had a few red flags with Leo’s speech, I was pleased when this became a toy of choice. Hearing certain words and being exposed to learning while he is playing is the way to reach my little man. When we play and I am down on the floor with him, or even scooting around outside on my own.. Yes my own scooter! That is when I notice Leo paying more attention and repeating a lot more. Since January Leo’s speech has come on in leaps and bounds, and to be honest I always knew it would. But I still like to do everything that I can to make sure that when he starts school, he will be starting on an even playing field with the other kids.

We really like the Tech Too Alphabet Tablet and at the point of writing this review, it is currently on offer at £10.99 at Smyths Toys.

Disclaimer: We were sent the KD Tech Too Tablet for the purpose of this review. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

Win a Monsters University Smart Phone & Tablet!

One of my roles as a KD Mumbassador is an exciting one, it means I get to bring some brilliant giveaways to you from time to time. KD was created to make our children's development a fun experience. They have developed educational toys with popular character designs and the latest technology. Each product is developed alongside childhood professionals who help to make each stage of your little one's development a fun and engaging experience. 

Having had first hand experience with the KD range over the time that has passed since I first began working with them, I can vouch for the products and tell you what a hit they have been with my little guy. 

We have personally tried out:

The In The Night Garden Story Case

Mr Tumbles Tablet

The JBC Fun Phonics

And finally the new Tech Too Tablet (Full review to come very soon!).

Right now though I am very pleased to offer 5 readers the chance to win a Monsters University Smartphone and a Monsters University Tablet each. Each winner will receive both items, how great is that!?

So that is enough chit chat from me... Let me provide a little more information on the products we have up for grabs!

'Who said that school’s out for summer? In cinemas now, Monsters University is the hotly anticipated prequel to the Disney-Pixar hit animation Monsters Inc – and is already a box office hit. Everyone’s favourite monsters Sulley and Mike return, this time in the same fraternity at Monsters University, learning to become scarers later down the line at Monsters Inc. 

Now your little monsters can enjoy - and learn - from the much-loved scary characters long after the film is over.  Send them to the school of scaring with the Monsters University Tablet and Smartphone from KD UK!

Monsters University Tablet (RRP: £19.99 at Debenhams, Amazon, Littlewoods, Very.co.uk)

Suitable for age three and over, the Monsters University Tablet features six game modes which let little one learn about colours, numbers and their favourite Monsters University characters, while getting to grips with touch technology and having heaps of fun.  ‘Discovery’ mode lets your child explore the tablet, and games such as ‘Find’ encourage children to seek out the characters, numbers and colours, and ‘Music’ lets them have fun listening to musical notes and tunes.

Monsters University Smartphone (RRP: £9.99 at Amazon, Littlewoods, very.co.uk)

Just like a real smartphone, this touch-sensitive toy device is packed with funny and scary features.  Kids can choose one of the four games and learn about numbers, colours or Monsters University characters, by answering the questions. Touch the different contacts and listen to what Mike, Sulley and their friends have to say. Encouraging observation and recognition, this smartphone is suitable for age two and over.'

For your chance to win just follow the Rafflecopter entry methods below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T&C's

Please only apply if you are a resident of the United Kingdom. Tickets cannot be exchanged for cash. The winner will be contacted via email when the giveaway comes to a close, and a response to claim the tickets is required within 48 hours. If no response if provided another winner will be picked at random and the initial draw will be void.

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com

Free to enter competitions and giveaways in the UK. Win great prizes and freebies.

Competitions Time

The JCB Fun Phonics Review

Leo and I have very recently been crowned with a very exciting new title, a role that we are so very excited to take on. We have teamed up with KD UK (formally Inspiration Works) and become part of their new Mumbassadors programme. Our new role is to share our experiences with their products and let you know our honest thoughts and opinions as parents so that you can find honest reviews of the items you are looking to purchase.

With Christmas coming around faster every year, and with less than 100 sleeps to go until Christmas 2013, I hope that our opinions help with Santa’s Christmas grafting!

Our first task as KD UK Mumbassadors is to tell you all about the JCB Fun Phonics. A circular toy with a cut out handle that you can either sit with on your lap or play with on the floor, all the while making lots of great sounds with all of the 26 keys. The aim of the game is to promote learning of new words, the alphabet and letters, in all there are 8 different games to be played which can be achieved by simply turning the pointer over to the new setting.

Leo was really pleased when he was presented with the Fun Phonics, and immediately took it off into the corner to sit and make lots of noise with. He started pointing out the JCBs and telling me ‘tractor’, which of course I expected because he absolutely adores all forms of transportation.

Leo has enjoyed playing with the Fun Phonics, and can independently change the settings himself as it is easy to turn. At present Leo is using it more as a musical instrument, he loves pressing all the buttons and isn’t playing the built in games just yet, but at 2 years old I don’t expect him to be reciting the alphabet word for word or reading the dictionary to me. I do like that Leo is being exposed to these essential life skills in a fun, easy to learn way, and I know that as time goes on this toy is going to really help him in his learning’s.

The JCB Fun Phonics is part of the My First JCB range, which offers a great selection of products from clothes, pre-school toys to Ride-ons and Bikes. As a parent what I personally really liked about this toy was the clear tone of voice that is used to communicate with the children. The volume of the voice is just right and can be heard amongst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but is not too loud to cause a headache (I know this is what you really wanted to know!).

The colours used for the Fun Phonics in-keep with the JCB Yellow and the multi coloured buttons scattered over the circular plate resemble a multitude of tasty Smarties (before they took all the artificial additives out!) The buttons are en-cased by stickers with all sorts of different images, such as a quad bike, cone and many other industrial items.

The carry handle makes it really easy for little one’s to carry around with them, and it is light enough for toddler hands to handle.

The JCB Fun Phonics is recommended for children form the age of 3 years plus, around the age that many children will be joining in nursery sessions and taking their learning to the next level. So while at the moment Leo is not actively using the Fun Phonics for the desired purpose, he is still loving the bright colours, the clear voice over used to communicate the words the bright design of this pre-school toy.

I can see that just by Leo playing with this toy it is going to help him widen his vocabulary and teach him, without Leo being consciously aware of the fact. Leo loves anything to do with transport, so this is a great way to sit him down with an educational toy.

I do think that this is a great little toy for children learning their letters and ABCs, especially when they take that big step into school. It is definitely a toy that we will be using as Leo continues to grow and learn, as it is such a great learning aid for a child, and not just because it has a JCB on it.

Although…. Leo may tell you otherwise.

The JCB Fun Phonics is currently on offer at Asda at the point of writing this review in their 2 for £20.00 toy deal.

Disclaimer: I was sent the JCB Fun Phonics for the purpose of this review. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.