Guest Author - Diane Claus

Vtech’s V.Smile Pocket is the on the go version of the V.Tech game system, but how does it hold up to use by a preschooler?

The Vtech V.Smile Pocket Interactive Learning Handheld Game is a portable version of the Vtech V.Smile T.V. Learning system. It is designed to use the same games on the go.

To control the games the child uses a joystick and one button. The system is designed so that the parents or child can choose which side the joystick and button are on, making it easy to use by right handed children as well as left handed children. In addition to these two main controls there are four buttons along the bottom that are different colors. These buttons are used to answer multiple-choice questions in some of the games.

Every game cartridge has two playing options for play, Learning Zone and Adventure Play. If your child chooses to play the Adventure Play they will play 4-5 games in succession to help accomplish a certain goal. If they do not want to play the games in order, or have already completed the adventure, the child will have the option to pick a game and just play it.

The games have recommended ages on them that I found to be very useful. The games for ages 3-5 focus on basic preschool skills such as learning colors, shapes, phonics, patterns, matching, letters and counting up to 10. The games for ages 4-6 focus on slightly more advanced skills such as basic addition and subtraction and spelling.

My son loves his V.Smile pocket. He enjoys the games and having his own game system. He likes being able to go back and forth between the right handed and left handed controls. The games appeal to him and he loves the characters and the Adventure Play. Best of all many of the preschool level games have the option to give the child unlimited chances (or lives) and in all the games that we have the characters do not fall if the child does not time pushing the jump button perfectly. This eliminates the frustrations many preschoolers experience when trying to play video games.

The only problem we have experienced with the V.Smile Pocket game system is with the rechargeable battery pack. Both my son and I have trouble lining the holes with the prongs to make a connection.

Overall this is a great product for preschoolers.