User's Man ua l Dear Parent, At VTech®, we know that every year, children are asking to play video games at younger and younger ages. At the same time, we understand the hesitation of most parents to expose their children to the inappropriate content of many popular video games. How can you feel confident in allowing your childen to play these games, and still educate and entertain them in a healthy, ageappropriate manner? Our solution to this on-going debate is the V.SmileTM TV Learning System ­ a unique video game system created especially for children aged 3 to 7. The V.SmileTM TV Learning System combines a kid-friendly design, ageappropriate curriculum, entertaining graphics, and fun game play into a unique experience that your child will love and you can support. The V.SmileTM TV Learning System engages your child with two modes of play: the Learning Adventure - an exciting exploratory journey in which learning concepts are seamlessly integrated, and the Learning Zone - a series of games designed to focus on specific school skills in a fun, engaging way. Both of these educational modes offer your child hours of learning fun. As part of the V.SmileTM TV Learning System, VTech® offers a library of game SmartridgesTM based on popular children's characters that engage and encourage your child to play while learning. The library is organized into three levels of educational play ­ Early Learners (ages 3-5), Junior Thinkers (ages 4-6) and Master Minds (ages 5-7) ­ so that the educational content of the system grows with your child. At VTech®, we are proud to provide you with a much-needed solution to the video game dilemma, as well as another innovative way for your child to learn while having fun. We thank you for trusting VTech®, with the important job of helping your child explore a new world of learning! Sincerely, Your Friends at VTech® To learn more about the V.SmileTM TV Learning System and other VTech® toys, visit www.vtechkids.com A Healthy, Balanced "TV Diet" By Dr. Helen Boehm Television was long considered the "uninvited" guest in American households. However, today many realistic and caring parents are partnering with television to create electronic classrooms - right in their own living rooms. They are no longer asking if children should watch TV but, rather, which programs and on-screen activities should be part of their children's TV intake. The same balanced and structured approach to developing healthy eating habits translates to watching less, different and better television! This "TV diet" gives families a menu for regulating children's viewing, choosing "healthy" program content and reducing the quantity and potency of television consumed. So, what does a healthy, balanced "TV diet" look like? A well balanced diet is best... Consider a healthy mixture of age-appropriate programming and activities that educate, engage and entertain! A variety of viewing and interactive experiences can turn a TV screen into an electronic classroom for learning and fun. Trim the fat... It is important to reduce children's sedentary behavior and eliminate unhealthy programs that contain violent, aggressive or disrespectful behaviors. Move out of the candy store... Parents are children's first teachers and their most powerful role models. It is difficult to improve children's viewing when parents are modeling other TV viewing behaviors. Consider adapting your own TV habits as a healthy example for your child. Plan menus and season to taste... Whenever possible, eliminate channel surfing and encourage the viewing of specific, pre-selected shows. The PG-TV ratings help parents make more informed selections that take into account the content and ageappropriateness of programs. For example, Y-7 shows are designed for 2 PARENT'S TV TIPS children 7 and older who can distinguish between fact and fantasy. A TVY7-FV rating indicates that "fantasy violence" is present in an episode of an animated program. Control couch potatoes... Children benefit from participation in movement, fitness activities and sports. These bodily actions are not only important for a child's physical growth and development but also to monitor their emotional stability, social skills and obesity. Limit sedentary screen time and blend physical and mental pursuits, like active on-screen games and video activities, into the TV mix. Starvation diets don't work... Many parents have found that restricting all TV-time is an impractical, longterm strategy. It is possible, however, to set realistic limits that are welcomed by both parent and child! Make viewing a choice and not a habit. Eliminate some TV time by setting a few basic rules, such as restricting television during meals or before the day's homework is completed. News fast... The realism of TV news can be overwhelming and scary for young children and reinforces their profound safety concerns. Exposure to TV news images, particularly without a context for scenes of terrible suffering, can cause vivid and long lasting fears. Food for thought... Whenever possible, connect viewing with learning. Many programs and characters are based on books and many on-screen subjects -- from geography to sports -- can inspire a lifelong interest in reading. Choose age-appropriate video activities that encourage interaction and challenge critical thinking. PARENT'S TV TIPS 3 Dr. Helen Boehm is the author of The Right Toys, Fearless Parenting and many magazine articles on parenting and responsible children's media. A distinguished psychologist and nationally known authority on children's development, play, and media, Dr. Boehm headed Public Responsibility and Network Standards at MTV/Nickelodeon and was Vice President of the Fox Children's Network. INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the VTech® V.SmileTM TV Learning System! The V.SmileTM TV Learning System is a unique video gaming system created especially for younger players. With V.SmileTM, children can take off on wonderful journeys to a variety of places such as an amusement park, a cartoon world, or even a magical fairy tale land. As they explore these worlds, children absorb learning concepts through creative gaming and adventure play. Each game universe features child-directed play and hidden surprises, so that the adventure is never the same twice! SmartridgeTM Storage Compartment SmartridgeTM Slot RESTART Button Joystick PortPlayer 1 Joystick PortPlayer 2 ON Button Reset Button Battery Compartment OFF Button SmartridgeTM Manual Joystick Us er' s Man ual INTRODUCTION 4 INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE · V.SmileTM TV Learning System main unit · One joystick · One SmartridgeTM · One instruction manual WARNING: All packing materials such as tape, plastic sheets, wire ties and tags are not part of this toy and should be discarded for your child's safety. GETTING STARTED BATTERY INSTALLATION · Make sure the unit is turned OFF. INSTRUCTIONS 5 · Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the main unit. · Remove the battery cover. · Insert 3 "C" size batteries as illustrated. · Replace the battery cover. BATTERY NOTICE · Do not try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries. · Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the toy before being charged. · Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision. · Do not mix different types of batteries. Do not mix new and used batteries. · Only use batteries of the recommended or equivalent type. · Always insert batteries properly matching the plus (+) and minus (-) signs. · Batteries that have run out of energy must be removed from the toy. · Do not short-circuit the supply terminals. · Do not use more batteries than recommended. · Remove batteries from the toy if it will not be used for an extended period of time. AC ADAPTOR · Use a standard 9V 300mA AC/DC adaptor. We recommend the use of a VTech® 9V AC/DC adaptor. · Make sure the unit is turned OFF. · Plug the power jack into the 9V DC socket at the back of the unit. · Plug the AC adaptor into a wall socket. NOTE: The use of an adaptor will override the batteries. When the toy is not going to be in use for an extended period of time, unplug the adaptor. Standard Guidelines for Adaptor Toys · The toy is not intended for use by children under 3 years old. · Only use the recommended adaptor with the toy. · The transformer is not a toy. · Never clean a plugged-in toy with liquid. · Do not leave the toy plugged-in for extended periods of time. · Never use more than one adaptor. CONNECTING TO A TV NOTE: Before you connect the V.SmileTM TV Learning System to a TV, check to make sure that the unit is working. Once you have turned the unit ON, the power indicator light (ON Button) should glow. If the ON Button does not glow, check to see that the adaptor is connected correctly, or that the batteries are installed correctly. If the batteries are not installed correctly, the V.SmileTM TV Learning System will not function and damage to the unit could result. Make sure that your TV and the unit are turned OFF before you begin making connections. Connect the V.SmileTM TV Learning System to your TV or monitor by plugging the colored cables on the unit into the matching color video and audio input jacks on your TV set. For TVs with stereo audio inputs: - Connect the yellow plug on the V.SmileTM cable to the yellow video input terminal on your TV. - Connect the white and red plugs on the V.SmileTM cable to the white and red audio input terminals on your TV. INSTRUCTIONS 6 For TVs with a mono audio input: - Connect the yellow plug on the V.SmileTM cable to the yellow video input terminal on your TV. - Connect the white or red plug on the V.SmileTM cable to the white or red audio input terminal on your TV. CONNECTING TO A VCR If there is no video IN and audio IN terminal on your TV set, you can connect V.SmileTM to a VCR. INSTRUCTIONS - Connect the yellow plug on the V.SmileTM cable to the yellow video input terminal on your VCR. - Connect the white and red plugs on the V.SmileTM cable to the white and red audio input terminals on your VCR. CONNECTING THE JOYSTICK Plug the joystick into the PLAYER 1 joystick port located on the front panel of the main unit. TO BEGIN PLAY · Make sure the unit is turned OFF. · Insert a SmartridgeTM into the SmartridgeTM slot on the front of the main unit. The SmartridgeTM should lock into place. Please use care when removing the SmartridgeTM from the slot. · Turn on the TV. · Set your TV input mode to accept input from the port to which V.SmileTM is connected. In many cases this will involve setting the TV to "video" mode; however, since all TVs vary, please refer to your TV or VCR manual for further details. · Turn the V.SmileTM TV Learning System on by pressing the ON Button. 7 PRODUCT FEATURES ON Button OFF Button RESTART Button Storage Compartment Press this button to turn the unit ON. Press this button to turn the unit OFF. Always do this before removing a SmartridgeTM. Press this button when the unit is ON, to start the game over from the beginning. You can store up to six SmartridgesTM inside the storage compartment when they are not in use. JOYSTICK FUNCTIONS Color Buttons Joystick HELP Button EXIT / PAUSE Button LEARNING ZONE Button ENTER Button 4 Color Buttons EXIT Button HELP Button LEARNING ZONE Button ENTER Button Press this button to make a choice, or to perform certain game actions. Use these buttons to choose answers in certain activities, or to perform certain game actions. Press this button to exit or pause a game. Press this button to hear helpful hints in certain games. Press this button to enter the Learning Zone play mode. INSTRUCTIONS 8 The V.SmileTM joystick accommodates both right- and left-handed players. To switch the joystick to the left- or right-hand side of the buttons: - Pull the knob on the underside of the joystick as shown, to release the lock. - Turn the joystick around to the other side until you hear a locking sound. INSTRUCTIONS / CARE & MAINTENANCE / WARNING 9 CARE & MAINTENANCE 1. Keep your V.SmileTM clean by wiping it with a slightly damp cloth. Never use solvents or abrasives. 2. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from direct sources of heat. 3. Remove the batteries when not using it for an extended period of time. 4. Avoid dropping it. NEVER try to dismantle it. 5. Always keep the V.SmileTM away from water. 6. The AC adaptor should be regularly examined for damage to the cord, plug, enclosure and other parts. In the event of such damage, the V.SmileTM must not be used with this adaptor until the damage has been repaired. WARNING A very small percentage of the public, due to an existing condition, may experience epileptic seizures or momentary loss of consciousness when viewing certain types of flashing colors or patterns, especially on television. While the V.SmileTM TV Learning System does not contribute to any additional risks, we do recommend tha ...