What Is the Origin of Leapfrog?

Leapfrog is a company that manufactures educational toys to help children with reading, mathematics, languages and other learning fundamentals. The company designed the toys to grow with the child and continue to teach the child through different developmental stages.

Creator Concept

In the late 1980s, Michael Wood began his quest to find a product that could help his three-year-old child learn the sounds letters make. He tested various methods and formed focus groups to test his products. He met with a buyer from toy retailer and manufacturer Toys R' Us to determine if the product could sell. In 1995 he formed LeapFrog Enterprises.

Original Product

The first product LeapFrog released to the public was called the Phonics Desk, which helps the child learn letter names and letter sounds and how to sound out words.

Later Products

As of 2011, current LeapFrog products include products appropriate for ages zero months through more than eight years old. Some of these products include the Tag Reading System, the Leapster Explorer, Map Talk and Scout Toys.

References

• Funding Universe: LeapFrog Company History
• LeapFrog: Phonics Desk
• LeapFrog: Products