SmartVille Alphabet Train Station
© 2006 VTech Electronics North America
This large plastic train set unfolds on the floor and comes with 25 plastic figurines or decorations, such as animals, signal flats and so on. It makes a nice addition to a playroom, providing you have the floor space. Seven of the parts are Smart Parts designed to be placed into small round cradles, resulting in some dialog as they are pressed down. For example, the penguin will say, "I'm a penguin." Another press on the penguin will result in, "I like to swim," and so on. There are more than two dozen other buttons or hot spots to explore, creating an excellent language experience. For example, on the train tracks, children can press any letter to hear it labeled. There is also a small LED display screen that reinforces the name of the letter. Children can choose from two modes of play through the use of a slider switch. The Discovery Mode allows children to explore the platform, play the piano, tell time, or hear the names of the pictures on the train track. The Learning Mode teaches counting by moving the hands on the clock, colors and shapes by pressing the piano keys, and the alphabet and phonics by pushing the buttons on the train track. This toy works well with very young children because there's a lot to explore, and, unlike many VTech toys, there is less distracting narration. The buttons are responsive, and it is easy to accidentally succeed. There is also a Treehouse and several $15 junior sets (a BandStand, Ice Cream Shop, Post Office or Fire Station), all which include Smart Parts that can be used interchangeably.
$5015, Smart Toy
Teaches: language, auditory discrimination, memory, spatial reasoning, classifying, fine motor skills
CTR Rating: 90%