Kids learn (3 or) Four Letter Words, but won't learn 4 alphabets
Written: Dec 30 '02 (Updated Dec 30 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good for Pre Schooler
Cons: Not enough letters/Words
The Bottom Line: You kids may not learn all 26 alphabets in this game. But enough to keep them busy.
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| stse's Full Review: Hasbro/Lewis Galoob Boggle Jr. |
Introduction
When it comes to learning alphabets, this may be a good toy for preschooler. However there are lots of improvement in this game.
When I opened this box, it was kind of OK due to the fact that they are for small kids. However, I don't think that this toy can last for long. Before I go further with the problem or improvement with this game, I would like to tell you what's in the box and how to play this game.
This game comes with a pack of cards, 30 of them. Within those 30 cards, there are 60 pictures and words as described below. So you will expect what your kids will learn. It also comes with 8 dices with 6 different alphabets on each one. It also comes with a holder. Inside the holder, there is a flip-flop thing to cover part of the letters of the cards.
Game Play
1. It's called Match-It as described in the Manuel. You basically put the cards in the holder. Your kids will find the dice with the right alphabets that match the card.
2. Cover IT - You use to flip-flop to cover the letters and your kids will guess it and find the right alphabets. If he/she finds it, he/she will then put the dice with the right alphabets in the dice on the holder.
It may be true that your kids will increase volcabularies and memories of new words. However, it's just too simple. At first, my kid finds it fun to play. But after a while, it's no longer challenging. Why?
Here is why... or the improvement needed
only 4 or less letter words
All of them are nouns which are OK. However, they are limited to 4 or less letters in each word. The box said it's for 3 to 6 years old. I think it should be for 3 to 5 years old. An average six years old boy/girl should be in either 1st grade or kindergarten and yet this box is meant for pre-schooler.
What happened to V, Z, X, Q ?
After a couple of time I played with my son, I realized that there is no such letter as Z!! If the game had 5 letters word, they could have made a card called ZEBRA.
What's so strange about that is that the dice has the letter Z on it. Now, I wonder how the kids are going to use the letter Z!!! There is no way you can match it or cover it!! As far as V goes, there isn't any in the dice either or in the picture. They can't make a word VAN?
Also, what about to X? BOX is not a big word and if they can make 5 letter word, Q can be used as QUAIL. I looked again at the box. It's made in China. I wonder if they have such animal ZEBRA or vehicle VAN there! (Just kidding, I think it is just the mistake or negligence they make.
They are all UPPER CASES!
There is no lower case alphabets in the box. They are not introduced to kids in this game at all. That's why I said it's not challenging enough. Kids will like this game, but it may only last a couple of days.
Conclusion
For 8 bucks and some change (after tax), I don't know if it is worth it. If you want to save those bucks, you could have a few pieces of papers and print the pictures and words on the papers and fold some cube like dices over. That will also do it. Of course, product like this may make kids happy. I believe that many people may buy this game for gift purpose. However, I think that it would be wiser if they could add 26 more alphabets (lower cases) or expand the words to 6 letters or less or at least put the V and Z back in the box. Your kids will miss learning those four letters from this game. I am sure about that. If this game is worth 4 dollars, I may recommend it.
By the way, I got this item for 8.44 for my son on Christmas time, and just happened that my relative gave the exact same present for him. So, I ended up having this gift refunded
Dices
ABCDEF
ABCDEF
ABDEOK
INWPLK
MNORPL
UYTSWO
SREGZT
HIJLKG
Words your kids will learn
ANT
BABY
BAG
BALL
BARN
BAT
BEAR
BED
BEE
BIKE
BIRD
BOAT
BOOT
BOWL
BUG
BUS
CAKE
CAN
CAR
CAT
COW
CUP
DOLL
DUCK
EGG
FAN
FISH
FROG
HAT
ICE
JAR
KITE
LION
MAP
MILK
MOON
NET
OAR
OWL
PIE
PIG
POND
POT
RED
ROAD
SAND
SAW
SHOE
SHOP
SNOW
SOCK
STAR
SUN
TOP
TREE
TUB
WEST
WIND
WOOD
WORM
This is my last review of the year 2002. I hope everyone one has a happy new year, and come back with more reviews and ratings!!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 8.44
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
stse
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Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 105
Trusted by: 27 members
About Me:
Life is full of opinions.... ! What's yours? And Don't forget to rate my reviews!!
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