Neurosmith's Jumbo Music toy line has put a new spin on the phrase "active learning". The Jumbo Music Ball is an oversized sphere-like plush toy that kids can roll around, hug, and tap. Each side of the "ball" (the toy is actually slightly blockish) features colorful flaps that take the form of familiar shapes. But here's the spin: this bright toy blurts out questions, plays classical music as children search for the answers, and tracks children's progress.
Jumbo Music Ball is the second oversized toy in the company's Jumbo line, following the popular Jumbo Music Block. A full comparison of the two toys is offered below.
This large plush toy is soft yet sturdy. It runs on four 'C' batteries and features three parent-friendly volume settings. Each colorful shape on the sides of the toy features embroidered sets of letters of the alphabet. The shapes are actually flaps that can be opened to reveal pictures of objects that begin with each featured letter.
The toy's built-in activities are carefully leveled according to academic skills. Essentially, the toy "asks" children to find specific colors, shapes, and letters (depending on the level). Children must turn the ball until the requested object is on the side facing up. Note that this can be a difficult concept for younger children. Our testers instinctively wanted to point and push the objects they had found! However, once they get the hang of it, it's like riding a bike! The toy stood up well during our testing period, and its performance was topnotch.
A very attractive feature of the toy is its intelligent leveling system. The toy auto-adjusts levels according to a child's performance. There are four such challenge levels, and the learning only advances to a higher level when all of the questions on the current level are answered correctly. Jumbo Music Ball drops up to two hints if the child is not positioning the correct side face-up, and these hints reference the skills learned on the previous level, where there is one. It "remembers" the child's progress the next time he or she plays with the toy. Parents can, however, reset the toy to level one.
Level one is devoted to testing color recognition. Children might be asked to find the color "red", for example. Hints are provided if a certain amount of time elapses without a correct answer, such as, "purple is the color of plums." On level two, kids are quizzed on shapes. If they seem to be struggling with finding a shape, the toy drops a hint that references the skills learned on level one--for example, they might be told that the octagon is the color red. Level three requires children to find specific letters of the alphabet, and level four features requests to find letters given the phonetic sounds they make. As children search for the correct answer, they are treated to classical music, such as Handel's Water Music and Beethoven's Fur Elise.
If you already own the Music Blocks toy (see our review), you can use any of the music cartridges (with the exception of the Cyber Cartridge) in the Jumbo Music Ball. By inserting a cartridge, such as Mozart's Night Music, the toy is transformed into a delightful way to explore a particular tune. Each side of the toy plays the tune with a different musical instrument, such as the woodwinds or violin. Children will enjoy hearing six different versions of one tune. This option extends the toy's educational value and provides some variety of play.
In comparison to the Jumbo Music Block, this toy is slightly smaller. As a result, its design is more space-saving, but it renders it slightly less appropriate for the "pulling up" stage. However, this toy is definitely more educationally demanding than the block. While the Jumbo Music Block aims to teach children shapes and fastening skills, the Jumbo Music Ball quizzes children not only about shapes and colors, but also letters of the alphabet. The Block is a "busy box" in many ways, while the Ball is less focused on action/reaction skills than it is on slightly more advanced concepts. Both toys share the expansion feature with slots that accept Music Block cartridges.
Keep in mind that there is a bit of a mismatch concerning the educational content of the toy and the age group that such a ball might appeal to the most. Many younger children will need some time to figure out that finding the color, shape, or letter the toy requests is not enough--they also need to place the ball so that the "answer" is face up. Also, the letters come in sets, and it can be difficult to find an individual letter in the allotted time. However, the toy features an excellent leveling system that keeps children at a comfortable learning level, allowing for plenty of time to adjust to the demands of the toy. Additionally, the toy is forgiving and encouraging. The company improved upon the design of the first toy in the series--parents no longer need to unscrew the battery compartment in order to insert a cartridge. The Jumbo Music Ball is very attractive, the sound quality of both the voice and the classical music is outstanding, and it effectively combines the joys of physical activity with academic learning.
