Tried and Tested for Christmas: The Bugsby Reading System

The new Bugsby Reading System by Vtech, uses age appropriate curriculum to encourage children to develop reading and literacy skills through interactive stories. It is aimed at children aged 3 – 7 who can use a Magic Sensor Pen to trace words and pictures in the book. Children can choose to read and listen to stories or to explore words and pictures. Each book comes with its own story cartridge which is inserted into the back of the pen.

Chopsy Baby editor Jen Smith tested out the Bugsby Reading System with her two-year-old son Sidney, because “When I first heard about it I was a little sceptical,” she says. “I am quite old fashioned when it comes to education and I think learning to read should be done in a basic way when children are ready for it.

“When first trying out the book and pen myself, I struggled to understand how to work it. In the hands of a toddler, the Bugsby Reading System comes into its own. I tested this out with my own child who got the hang of it immediately. He enjoys being able to turn the pen on and read through the book all by himself. At not quite three years of age, he will spend a good 15 minutes at a time engrossed with the book. He explores words with the pen and I feel he is also improving his motor skills. He frequently repeats back the words he hears.

“The clever book is quite sturdy and I think it would take a concerted effort for a child to damage it. I would recommend it for supervised children from around two and a half years of age.

“I am actually highly impressed with the Bugsby Reading System. I don’t think it should replace normal books but it is a good way of engaging reluctant readers and also stimulating the curiosity of children eager to make their own head start on  literacy.”

£29.99

Available from Amazon, Argos and the Early Learning Centre