Learn to read with the #1 selling reading system!*Designed for children ages four to eight, the Tag Reading System uses touch technology to engage children and bring reading to life. Each touch to the pages of specially printed storybooks, puzzles, maps and more triggers audio responses that support and surprise-engaging children"s senses to make reading-and learning-a rich, fulfilling experience. Winner of 55+ awards worldwide, the Tag system holds audio for up to 10 titles at a time from a vast library featuring characters from favorite TV, movie and classic tales.For parents, the Tag Reader offers easy audio download with no cartridges to lose, adjustable volume control and it turns itself automatically after a period of inactivity to save battery life. Parents can also see specific details of their child"s reading progress through the free online Learning Path.99% of teachers recommend Tag!**Tag helps children build the skills to learn to read, and games and learning activities help reinforce new skills, building confidence and encouraging children to continue to explore and discover a love of reading and learning.The Tag Reading System:• Provides children with tools to build phonics and reading comprehension skills.• Sounds out words in select books to provide tutorial support.• Challenges and supports young readers to progress at their own pace.The Learn to Read System LibraryThe Tag Learn to Ready System is designed to guide children through their learn-to-read journey. Beginning with the Get Ready to Read series and the Tag Junior book pal, children are introduced to reading basics and essential preschool skills. Moving on to the Tag Reader, the Early Reading series expands upon these skills with core phonics practice and exposure to basic sentence structure. As children build confidence they can develop their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills with the longer text and more complex sentences of the Read on Your Own series. And their growing reading skills lead to even more fun with the Learn through Reading series, which features maps, puzzles, flash cards and sets that expand the learning to geography, writing, science and more.Book and Print BasicsA child"s early experiences with books greatly influence his ability to learn to read. Reading together helps a child learn how to turn pages one at a time and that text moves from left to right. Advanced readers learn how to use books for research.ConsonantsThere are more consonants sounds than there are consonants in the alphabet. A consonant digraph is a pair of consonants that stand for a single sound (ch, sh, th, wh).VowelsSpelling begins with regular short vowel sounds (cap) and long vowel sounds (with silent e, cap becomes cape). Finally, children learn the rules and patterns of vowel pairs (ee), digraphs (ai in train), dipthongs (oi in boil) and r-controlled vowels (farm, bird).Phonological AwarenessAlong with learning language and letters, phonological awareness-the ability to pick out and play with sounds in words (such as syllables and rhymes)-is essential for learning to read.Word recognitionWith repeated exposure to commonly used words, word recognition grows and becomes more automatic.Phonics skillsTo read independently, children must understand the relationship between the sounds in spoken words and the letters that represent those sounds.VocabularyThe larger their vocabulary, the easier it is for children to comprehend what they read and hear and communicate with others.Listening and Reading ComprehensionAs children develop comprehension of books read aloud or independently, they explore the uses and functions of written language. They begin to construct meaning, eventually applying critical skills to make inferences and draw conclusions.Learn Through Reading In addition to creating a strong foundation through language and literacy learning, there are skill sets that children need exposure to and knowledge of for further development and achievement in school. Topics like science, social studies, mathematics and overall life skills are essential experiences to ensure further development and achievement in school.Product Dimensions: 5.0 x 1.0 x 1.0 inchesPackage Dimensions: 11.0 x 2.5 x 10.6 inchesPackage Weight: 1.80 lbsBatteries: 2 AAA (not included)What"s in the Box:• LeapFrog Tag Reader• Sampler activity book (audio pre-loaded on Reader)• User guide• USB cableSystem Requirements:Internet connection (high-speed connection recommended)Monitor resolution of 1024 x 768Available USB port512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)300 MB free disk spaceLatest version of Adobe Flash PlayerPC Requirements:Pentium 4 or equivalent (2 GHz processor or faster recommended) Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system with latest service packMac Computer Requirements:Intel-based Apple computer (1 GHz processor or faster recommended) Mac OS X 10.5+ operating system software About LeapFrogLeapFrog is a leader in education innovation. We create award-winning learning toys, interactive book and map experiences, reading systems, educational gaming handhelds and learning tablets that are age-appropriate. Our mission is to help every child achieve his or her potential. So our products combine robust technology, curriculum and popular characters to create engaging experiences that make play and learning even more fun. With more than 120 million learning systems, books and games in homes worldwide, plus multisensory technology in more than 100,000 U.S. classrooms, the LeapFrog brand is trusted by parents, valued by teachers and loved by children. Many of our products connect to the Internet for enhanced learning with additional interactive experiences. Those connections also empower parents with personalized insights and recommendations, helping them see and share in their child"s learning progress through our groundbreaking LeapFrog Learning Path.*U.S. Source: The NPD Group / Consumer Tracking Service; Preschool Electronic Learning, Reading System brands in Dollars, Annual 2010(excluding gaming systems). U.K. Source: The NPD Group/ EPoS Retail Tracking; Preschool Electronic Learning, Reading System brands in Value, Annual 2010 (excluding gaming systems). Canada Source: The Nielsen Company, Market Track Closed Group, National Toy Market 2010 (52 weeks ending December 2010).**Based on a 2010 survey conducted by LeapFrog of teachers participating in its Tag Kindergarten Program who received Tag Reading Systems from LeapFrog for use in their classrooms.TM and © LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.