This is a guest post from my awesome sister-in-law, Brandi. Her oldest son is four and is the perfect age to try out the Tag system. Brandi was gracious enough to help me out with this review.
My son and I received the Tag system, with two additional books, in the mail a few weeks ago. As soon as I opened the shipping box my son grabbed the Tag package, hugged it, and declared he loved it. His reaction told me the commercials work because he, at 4, knew exactly what the product was and was extremely excited to actually have a Tag in his possession, even though I had made no mention that we were getting one.
It only took a few moments to get the Tag reader out of the package and the book that came with the system, “Ozzie and Mack” was pre-loaded in the Tag pen so he was able to start playing immediately. One caveat though, my son was disappointed that the Tag reader would not work on any kind of print. He had been under the impression that the Tag reader would help him with any words, anywhere and at any time; he was a little disappointed to find out the reader only works with Tag books. Additionally, only those we own and only if I had downloaded the book from the website first. A minor point really, but it disappointed him to realize the pen was not quite as all-encompassing as he originally believed.
While he was playing with Ozzie and Mack I did a quick program install using the included CD so I could have access to the online Tag site to download the two other books we had gotten for his system; “Cat in the Hat” and “Dora Goes to School”. Downloading the books was quick and easy.
As far as the actual use of the Tag system… The reader is extremely easy to use, a little awkward to hold as it is top-heavy, but very intuitive for the target age-group because my 4 year-old was able to use all the features with no help or instruction from me. I like that the pen itself has a volume adjustment so he can adjust the reader so it sounds good to him, but is not blasting me out. Every page of the books has multiple interaction options so it’s not a one-time read-through-and-you're-done style, the child can have the book read to them, read through the book on their own at their own pace, or play multiple games based on the story at several points throughout the text. Additionally, everything in the book makes some kind of noise when touched by the Tag pen so there is no lack of stimulation if your child is the random-clicker type.
If you have ever used a Leap Pad this system will soon seem very familiar as, other than the delivery system (pen versus a pad), the styling and usage of the Tag system seems almost exactly the same as a Leap Pad. However, one of the disadvantages of the Leap Pad was needing to touch the “start” button on every page before its content became available. The Tag system does not suffer from this problem as every page is available immediately to the reader. This updated feature is good because my children, even with the My First Leap Pad, could never consistently hit the “start” button each page, so they would get the same content page after page, frustrating them greatly.
Finally, the price of the individual Tag books might make you choke but if you realize you are also buying the programming to go with the book, they don’t seem as exorbitant as they might at first glance.
Tag System (includes Tag Reader, USB cable, LeapFrog Connect software CD, and the book Ozzie and Mack): $44.99
Additional books: $9.99-$13.99
Recommended for ages 4-8.
The bottome line: I'd recommend this learning toy. Leap Frog Tag System, you've been Chili Tried and recommended. You're getting four chilis.
