I hope this is okay to post on here, because it isn't related to early learning.  Recently I started a home based business selling tea products. To help promote my company, I am giving away a collection of teas to someone in southern Alberta. If anyone is interested, you can go here: http://www.cutelikemeblog.com/2011/12/12/steeped-tea-giveaway-southern-alberta/

The contest closes in 12 days. Good luck!

I would really like an iPad. They have so many great apps that aren't available anywhere else. They are just so pricey. I am trying to decide if I can justify spending 2 or 3 times as much for an iPad as what I would spend for an android.

We started with thinking about getting him the LeapFrog  explorer, but then when I figured out how much the games cost, it seemed like a better idea to go with an iPod touch. The screens are just so small, we decided against them. Then I found an android tablet, which is fairly comparable in price to the iPod. We are undecided because it seems like a lot of money to get a tablet which will basically be used for early learning. DH is very worried DS will break it or something, so then we circle back to spending less for the LeapFrog. I was hoping someone would have some experience or advice. 

We have ruled out the ipod touch, because it is just too small. Can anyone recommend something else? We are still considering something like a LeapFrog Explorer or something along those lines, but the games are so expensive. Would it be best to just try and get a cheap tablet or something for him, so we could download a couple of movies or something as well?

I remember reading a little while ago that you can use LR and LM on an ipad. Is it possible to use it on other tablets as well?

I got the LeapFrog Tag for my DS when he turned 2. We chose to skip the Tag Junior and go straight to the Tag. The Tag will work on the Junior books, so we didn't see any point in spending the money on the Junior, then buying the other one at a later date. I do think it is a good product. Some of the books are very simple (hardly any words, they focus on something else, like teaching a shape), so I guess it depends on what you are wanting to teach whether they would be useful to you. I am not a big fan of the fact that so many of the books are related to movie characters, but that is just me.

It did take awhile for our DS to get into it. He didn't really like it until he got to be about 2.5, but it could be good for your little guy.

Hope that helps!

Thanks, Lisac, I will look into those.

Tanikit, I found a website www.ikidapps.com that lists a few apps to try. I will keep searching. 

I just purchased an adroid phone, and am looking for some apps to download for my almost 3 year old. I've downloaded a couple of Rock N'Learn ones, but was wondering if there are any other good apps out there? Ideas for any subject welcome.   

We are considering getting our son one of these products for his third birthday. What are your experiences? Which would work best for helping him learn in different areas?

That directory looks very useful. Does anyone happen to know if they have anything similar in Canada?

Thanks for the idea DadDude. We don't live in a city, so no music or dance schools are available.

Thanks. I was just unsure if any of the signs would be the same as ASL signs, and confuse him. Right now, we are just using a couple of the signs to help him understand that he is leaving that syllable out when he talks. I didn't know there was a song to go with it as well. 

While doing some research, I came across these video's that can be used for children to help model the correct way to interact with other people. They can be used along with other therapies as an additional at home tool. I haven't seen them, so I don't know how useful they would be, but I thought I would put them on here in case anyone would like to give them a try. I know there are a few parents of children that have ASD/Asperger's/social delays, so perhaps they could help. 

The first company is called Watch Me Learn. It is for children in the developmental age range of 18 months - 4 years +. http://www.watchmelearn.com/catalog/parents.html

The second is called Teach 2 Talk. It has a bit more selection to choose from: social skills, behaviors, play skills, WH questions, nouns, verbs, and more. Depending on the video, the age range looks to be anywhere from 0-12 years. Look on the left hand side of the page under products for the different series selections. http://www.teach2talk.com/index.html

Kindermusik! Thank-you! No matter what words I used to search, I was only coming up with myc. I would love to try prezuki or gymboree, but unfortunately neither are available here. 

Has anyone ever used this product? Our sons SLP wants to use it to help his speech delay (he has sooo many words, but only says one or two syllables, instead of all of them). She says that basically you use a sign to help them learn the sounds in words. My concern is that because I have been teaching him ASL, is may confuse him, or some of the sound signs may be a sign he has learned previously for ASL. Anyone have any experience with this company?

I'm interested if they are still available. 

There is very little for playgroups in our area, so I would like to put our son into a music class to give him more exposure to children his age. Not to teach him an instrument necessarily, just one with singing and rhythm.  I have done a few searches, but the only one I can seem to find is Music for Young Children (myc.com). I know there are others out there. Can anyone help me find some more?