All Leapster Multimedia Learning System Titles Among the First Games Reviewed
for New Learning Seal
LOS ANGELES (TEA), May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises
Inc. (NYSE: LF), a leading developer of innovative technology-based
educational products, today announced its participation in and support of the
new "Games for Learning" video game ratings seal. The seal -- an independent
review and guideline system designed to help parents, teachers and young
children more easily select and purchase video games with exceptional
educational value -- debuted during The Education Arcade (TEA) at the 2004
Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3).
The Education Arcade, a research initiative of MIT Comparative Media
Studies, has been developing new game concepts and programs to increase the
public visibility of games for teaching and learning as part of its ongoing
research activities in new media, culture, and public policy. This year,
through a partnership with MIT, LeapFrog has supported the efforts of TEA to
create the "Games for Learning" rating seal and will submit all software
titles for its new handheld, the Leapster(TM) multimedia learning system, for
consideration to receive the first Games for Learning seals awarded this fall.
"We are excited to participate in the debut of The Education Arcade at E3
and support such an important venture as the 'Games for Learning' seal,"
stated Tom Kalinske, CEO for LeapFrog. "By championing education through fun,
interactive gaming, we are challenging the industry to raise the 'learning'
bar on gaming content -- much like we have done for the toy industry in the
past decade."
"Games for Learning" -- A Cross-Industry Initiative
With support of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and major
content developers, TEA expects the "Games for Learning" seal to act as an
educational stamp of approval, providing important information to consumers.
"The 'Games for Learning' seal signifies a major advancement within the
educational teaching community and emerges from the research we have been
doing over the past three years," stated Henry Jenkins, Director of MIT
Comparative Media Studies. "Our goal is to recognize those games that
creatively and effectively integrate learning and play and that continue to
advance our understanding of and appreciation for the use of games in
education."
The ESRB has advised The Education Arcade and supports "more information
for parents in any format," said the board's president, Patricia Vance.
The Games for Learning seal will not only help raise social awareness
within the gaming industry, but it also helps set a new standard in gaming
content amongst today's top software developers. An independent board of
gaming and education experts will formulate guidelines and standards for the
seal in coming months with an aim to award the first seals to games that will
be in stores during the fall and holiday buying seasons.
The Leapster Multimedia Learning System
The Leapster handheld, designed in conjunction with LeapFrog's prestigious
Educational Advisory Board, makes it possible for children to learn and expand
their minds by delivering interactive educational games, books, videos, art
and homework help all on one platform. Providing learning challenges from
preschool to 4th grade, the Leapster multimedia learning system uses positive
feedback and integrated tutorials to offer hints and tailored examples that
guide a child through new concepts, and foster confidence and success.
The Leapster multimedia learning system is available at major retailers
nationwide, including Toys "R" Us, Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart. For more
information, please visit http://www.leapfrog.com.
Titles Grades MSRP Availability
Educational Game Software
Disney Princess Pre-K - Kindergarten $24.99 Fall 2004
Dora the Explorer(TM)
Wildlife Rescue Pre-K - Kindergarten $24.99 Now
Kindergarten Kindergarten $24.99 Now
SpongeBob SquarePants(TM)
Saves the Day Kindergarten - 1st Grade $24.99 Now
First Grade First Grade $24.99 Now
Math Baseball 1st - 3rd Grade $24.99 Now
2nd Grade 2nd Grade $24.99 Fall 2004
The Incredibles 2nd - 3rd Grade $24.99 Fall 2004
Electronic Book Software
Finding Nemo Pre-K - Kindergarten $19.99 Fall 2004
Reading with Phonics:
Mole's Huge Nose Kindergarten - 1st Grade $19.99 Fall 2004
Junie B. Jones Journal 1st - 2nd Grade $19.99 Fall 2004
Spider-man 1st - 2nd Grade $19.99 Fall 2004
Digital Creativity Studio Software
Mr. Pencil's Learn to
Draw and Write Pre-K and up $24.99 Now
Interactive Video Software
Letter Factory(TM) Pre-K - Kindergarten $19.99 Now
Talking Words(TM) Factory Kindergarten - 1st Grade $19.99 Now
Enter Your Own Homework Software
Spelling Homework Helper 2nd - 4th Grade $24.99 Fall 2004
About LeapFrog: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: LF) is a leading
designer, developer and marketer of innovative, technology-based learning
products and related proprietary content, dedicated to making learning
effective and engaging for all ages, at home and in schools, around the world.
The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Emeryville, California.
LeapFrog has developed a family of learning platforms that come to life with
more than 100 interactive software titles, covering important subjects such as
phonics, reading, writing, math, music, geography, social studies, spelling,
vocabulary and science. In addition, the company has created more than 35
stand-alone educational products for children from birth to 16 years.
LeapFrog's award-winning U.S. consumer products are available in six languages
at major retailers in more than 25 countries around the world. The LeapFrog
SchoolHouse curriculum programs are currently in classrooms across the U.S.
with over 200 interactive books and over 450 skill cards representing more
than 6,000 pages of educational content. LeapFrog SchoolHouse products have
won numerous awards from the education industry, including the Golden Lamp
Award and Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational
Publishers, the Award of Excellence from Technology & Learning magazine and
the Teacher's Choice Award from Learning magazine.
NOTE: LEAPFROG and LEAPSTER are trademarks of LeapFrog Enterprises Inc.
Contact:
Jaeme Sines Laczkowski Lindsay Reich
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Kaplow Communications
510-596-3497 212-221-1713
jsines@leapfrog.com lindsayr@kaplowpr.com
SOURCE LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.leapfrog.com
CONTACT:
Jaeme Sines Laczkowski of LeapFrog
Enterprises, Inc., +1-510-596-3497, or jsines@leapfrog.com; or
Lindsay Reich of Kaplow Communications, +1-212-221-1713, or
lindsayr@kaplowpr.com, for LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
|
