Funky footprints is designed for children from 12 months old. It uses sounds and flashing lights to reward a toddler's first steps. Each of the 12 footprints plays a different sound and triggers a light effect if stepped on.
The Funky Keyboard, designed for children aged three years old and over, has many more options. Eight hand-shaped musical pads, arranged much like a keyboard, play different sounds, each getting progressively higher as you move from left to right. Children can program the pads to play traditional piano sounds, bell sounds, 'meowing' cats, 'quacking' ducks or 'woofing'
dogs. Children can explore the keyboard in free play mode by pressing their hands or feet down on the pads to create sounds. This mode could be used to copy sound patterns, for counting games or in some interactive story telling.
There is also a demo mode that plays eight different, almost recognisable, nursery songs. One entertaining activity is to switch between the sound effects while the demo is playing.
Finally there is the learning mode. Children press this button once and then press a pad to select one of the eight tunes. They then follow the lights above each pad to play, and perhaps learn, the tune. This takes a bit of getting used to and children will probably need support using it.
Both keyboards require batteries and come with a useful battery safety guidelines leaflet.
This is the sort of toy that would generate great interest to start with but would soon lose its attraction if kept out all the time. However, it would be a good audio stimulus for children with special needs.
* Funky Footprints 15
* Funky Keyboard 15
Both from Early Learning Centres
