LeapFrog Poppin' Play Piano

HELP SHEET FOR Poppin'Play Piano (Leap Frog) Ages 1-3 yearsThis is one of the most versatile "deep" toys I've seen for toddlers! I had a blast figuring out all the possibilities. My early childhood teacher opinion is you'll get a lot of learning mileage out of this and the child will have fun.I recommend you first let the child explore the toy for a week or two before trying to teach concepts. Then, make teaching sessions short, fun and successful. Quit before the child gets restless or frustrated with the activity.I wrote this HELP SHEET so you and the child can get the most out of the toy over a three year period. The toy has a few "quirks" and hidden possibilities that took a lot of time to figure out.FOUR MODES OF PLAY: (See the switch: Yellow oval over green background.)1. Numbers: Press individual key and hesitate to hear each number word.2. Colors: Press individual key and hesitate to hear each color word.3. Choose an Instrument: (See *"NOTES FOR MODE 3" below to find out what each mode does AND how to change to a new instrument.)4. Choose a Song: Press a key: Song plays and child can sing along, play along or both.ACTIVITIES: AGE 1 +1. Cause/effect: Push a key to make the ball pop up/come down. (It works when the unit is in ANY MODE.)2. Cause/effect: Push a key to hear words, notes instrumental tunes, and songs. (SELECT MODES)3. Listen: (color and number words, silly sounds, instrumental tunes, songs, and directions) (SELECT MODES)4. Sing: Sing along to music and words. (MODE 4.)5. Language Development: (ALL MODES: See "Language Development" below.)ACTIVITIES: AGES 2 AND 31. Numerals: (Words only) No visual unless you count the keys. (MODE 1)2. Colors: Learn/practice colors (words and visuals). Press each key and hesitate to hear the color word. (MODE 2)3. Play keys along to a recorded instrumental tune (MODE 3)4. Play just notes on the keyboard. (Free play - music exploration and creativity) (MODE 3)5. Sing along with a recorded song (MODE 4)6. Play keys along to a recorded song (MODE 4)7. Play and sing along to a recorded song (MODE 4)8. Problem Solving/Exploration: Figure out how the instrument works and what can be done in different modes.9. Language Development: (ALL MODES - See "Language Development" below.)*NOTES FOR MODE 3: (Playing Instruments) - (Most Creative Mode)1. Timing: Press a key. You'll hear a few notes followed by "Press a key to choose an instrument." Press a key again. A short tune will play in that instrument and announce the name of the instrument. Now any key pressed will sound like that instrument.2. Change to a different instrument: Turn unit OFF and back ON, OR move oval MODE switch to another icon and then move it back to the "Double Note" Icon.Key 1 - Piano Tunes (Each key pressed plays a different part of the piano tune.)Key 2 - Piano Notes (Play notes manually.)Key 3 - Silly Sounds (Play notes manually.)Key 4 - Organ (Play notes manually.)Key 5 - Organ Tunes (Each key pressed will plays a different part of organ tune.)Key 6 - Harpsicord (Play notes by pressing each key manually.)Key 7 - Popping Sounds (Play notes by pressing each key manually.)Key 8 - Synthesizer (Play notes by pressing each key manually.)LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:1. Vocabulary: up/down; loud/soft; high/low; on/off; left/right; press; key; play; switch; music; number; color; sound; song; tune; piano; organ; synthesizer; harpsichord, sing2. State what the child is doing: "You're making the balls go up and down." "You're making the red ball go up and down." "You're playing high notes to low notes."3. Give a direction: "Press the 1 key." "Press the red key." "Show me the numeral 3." "Show me the color yellow." "Make the brown ball go up and down." "Press the keys and count with me." Older child: "Press the keys and count backwards."BONUS INFORMATION:1. Save the battery: Even in OFF mode, the balls will pop up and down when keys are pressed.2. Take Along: This toy can be a great take along in the car if you don't mind the sounds!Enjoy!--Lynn (St. Louis)

My daughter received this for Christmas(she turned one 12/21), she LOVES it! I love that it has 8 instruments, colors, numbers, music, and popping balls!!! So much learning in such a small toy and made in such a way that she doesn't even know she is learning-the best way!! Leapfrog products have been a household favorite since my older 2 were babies(they're 12 and 9 now) and that still holds true today!!I can see this toy working for a 6mos old(any sitter), and I can see her playing with it for many years to come. My older two used their "baby pianos" until they were 3-4yrs old, so this piano will get a ton of use!!The only negative that I have found is that the batteries that came with it died within a few days of light use(less than an hour a day-this is just one toy of MANY, so nothing gets much use yet-however this is one of few toys that DOES get daily use)...hoping our batteries last longer, if not Im glad we have rechargables(but make sure you have a new set of batteries on hand because the ones that come with it won't last long)...I will also note that this is one of the positives of ordering from amazon, the batteries aren't half dead(nor do I fear that the toys are covered with snot/slob) when you buy the toy as they often are in the store where everyone lets their children use the toy section as a toy box-from amazon you get BRAND NEW toys that weren't previously drooled on and played with.This is truly a must have for all babies/toddlers!!

I purchased this for my ten month old who has recently learned to push buttons (literally). Since this discovery, she is constantly on the lookout for things to push. Only a few of her toys had such a feature so my husband and I listened to the same nursery songs and animal noises over and over while she practiced her new skill. We were looking for something that would be a nice outlet for her new obsession and wouldnt drive us insane. We found both of those things in this product. The piano keys are easy to push down and my daughter loves hearing the music and watching the balls bounce. Because of the different settings my husband and I are happy to let her play with it as long as she needs to. It has settings to teach numbers and colors as well as a song setting. Our favorite setting is the instrument settings. There's 8 different "instruments" to choose from and then it acts as any piano would and plays single notes as the keys are pushed. Another great thing about this toy is it still works without being turned on...my daughter can push the keys and watch the balls bounce without having any music coming from it for those times when we need quiet. This is one of those toys that's definitely worth having around.

My 8 month old (AND my husband) loves this play piano, I have a feeling this will be a favorite for a while. I like all the different settings from colors, to numbers, to music (as well as the 2 volume settings). The balls popping up are a fun surprise. I highly recommend this product, quality and fun.--The only negative was when it arrived it reeked of cigarette smoke. So obviously this didn't come from the Amazon warehouse.

Love the four different settings for this toy, each one very good. Pleasant music/sounds, not annoying. Seems well made, durable, and it has been put through a lot since receiving it, as my son is quite a wild little special needs guy who tries really hard to destroy everything he gets his hands on. I highly recommend this toy.