I am all for encouraging children to read. Literacy is a good thing...not only do I have to say that as an English student (it is in the academic constitution somewhere) but because it is something that I firmly believe in. Reading opens up a vast plethora of knowledge, imagination, and excitement. My next statement may seem contradictory. Here goes nothing: the imposition of Leap Frog is a travesty in the educational realm. To narrow this down a bit, I am specifically referencing books solely dedicated to "teaching kids how to read" as being completely bogus opposed to semi-reference Leap Frog books pertaining to history and math.
I love Spongebob Squarepants. I love his little tie and tube socks. I even love his slightly annoying voice. He is a cute sponge...what isn't there to love? As much as I love him, his presence (and every other cartoon voiceover entity) within Leap Frog books does not teach children how to read but rears them to be passive listeners. Rather than children becoming interested in the written word, they become enthralled with narration. Instead of creating literate children, it molds functionally illiterate ones. To better illustrate this point a commercial break is in order (see society always has to deviate from text with visual stimuli to keep interest...wonder where that comes from).
In the interest of holding attention without a catchy narrative voice, I will break this commercial down in point form:
-"reading" is considered mindlessly running a pen over words
-the children are never shown attempting to read the words presented in the books
-the mascot ultimately discourages kids from the prospects of reading actual books
-the mascot himself embodies a sense of misrepresentation (he isn't exactly a man, he isn't exactly a frog...he is some kind of weird man-frog).
We have to ask ourselves about the legitimacy of these “books.” Do we want children to have the ability to independently read and learn or embody a facade of development? This technology has just become another way for parents to shirk their responsibilities as teachers and educators. The Leap Frog system may seem like a good alternative to constant television stimuli but let's be honest, these books have become another inanimate babysitter meant for one thing, entertainment not education.
Contributed by Constance Adams. Check out her blog at: http://constanceadams.tumblr.com/
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