Dear Parent, At VTech®, we know that there is nothing more special than watching your baby discover something new for the first time. These moments become even more rewarding when you see your baby share and smile in the excitement of these important discoveries. That is why VTech® created the V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System, a unique grow-with-me development system designed especially for the youngest learners aged 9 to 36 months. The learning grows as your baby grows! The V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System combines a baby-friendly wireless activity panel, age-appropriate curriculum, entertaining images, and fun early learning activities into a unique experience for babies and parents to share together. The V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System engages even the littlest learner with three, grow-with-me play modes: Play Time, Watch & Learn, and Learn & Explore. Babies go from playing with the activity panel, to watching educational videos complete with baby sign language, to directing their own play on the TV screen by choosing subjects they want to learn. As part of the V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System, VTech® offers a library of Baby Smartridges based on popular children's environments that engage and invite your baby to play and discover. Each Baby Smartridge features a variety of learning activities, baby sign language, `grow-with-me' play, and lovable characters to guide your baby on a learning journey. "V.Smile BabyTM extends the classic activity center into an interactive, enriching educational experience for infants and toddlers especially when played with a loving adult," says Dr. Lise Eliot, neuroscientist and author of What's Going on in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life. "The traditional activity center, which includes different shapes, colors and sounds, will captivate your baby, while the interchangeable Baby Smartridges will reduce boredom and introduce your child to a variety of important earlylearning concepts and vocabulary." At VTech®, we are proud to provide parents with a sensory-rich learning tool for their little ones. Tapping into a baby's natural curiosity, creativity and passion for learning, VTech® makes every encounter an opportunity for discovery. We thank you for trusting VTech® with the important job of helping your child grow. Sincerely, Your Friends at VTech® To learn more about the V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System and other VTech® toys, visit www.vtechkids.com Sign Language For Babies: Helping Babies Tell Us What's On Their Minds By Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn Why Sign Language for Babies? There's nothing more heart-wrenching than hearing a baby cry and not knowing what's wrong. Unfortunately, until they can talk, babies are literally "at a loss for words" when it comes to telling us what's going on and how best we can help. Now, thanks to our book Baby Signs and our research-based Baby Signs® Program, the world's leading sign language program for babies, children from 6 months to 3 years need no longer wait until they can talk to let us know what's on their minds. Instead, as Newsweek Magazine put it, they can learn simple "hand signals that let them communicate their joys and fears without tears." You're Already Doing It Signing is a very natural form of communication. In fact, it's so natural that all parents teach their babies at least three signs-YES, NO, and BYEBYE-without even thinking about it. After two decades of research at the University of California, we now know that these three signs are just the tip of the iceberg. Babies are eager to learn many, many more signs to let us know what they need, what they see, what they feel, and even what they remember. What parents wouldn't want such a priceless window into their baby's mind? The Research Behind the Program But won't signing slow down learning to talk? The answer is a resounding "No!" In fact, just as crawling is a helpful precursor to walking, signing is a helpful precursor to talking. We've proven this to be the case with a longterm study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Far from hindering language development, babies in the Baby Signs® Program actually learned to talk sooner. We also discovered that this advantage continued over time in the form of higher IQs at age 8. Why Sign Language for Babies? 2 Wait No More! The Most Important Benefits Our research has also revealed even more important benefits for emotional development. Once your baby begins signing you'll see for yourself how the ability to use signs makes daily life with your baby easier and sweeter. Specifically, using signs. . . * decreases frustration, tantrums, and tears; * enables your baby to share his or her world with you; * strengthens the parent-infant bond; * helps you recognize just how smart your baby is; and Why Sign Language for Babies? 3 * promotes the development of self-confidence and self-esteem. A Gift to Last a Lifetime It's easy, it's fun, and it's a wonderful way to support your baby's development. By helping your baby communicate effectively so early in life, you are laying a foundation of love and learning that will last a lifetime. Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn are internationally recognized scholars whose ground-breaking research demonstrating the positive effects of signing on infant development has sparked a world-wide movement. They are authors of the best-selling book Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk and co-founders of the Baby Signs Institute through which they provide Sign, Say & PlayTM classes, Parent Workshops, and high-quality products to make every family's signing experience a success. For more information, visit www.babysigns.com. INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE · · · · · V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System One activity panel One console One Learn & Discover Home SmartridgeTM One instruction manual WARNING: All packing materials such as tape, plastic sheets, wire ties and tabs are not part of this toy and should be discarded for your child's safety. GETTING STARTED FABRIC BUMPER ATTACHMENT · Please attach the fabric bumper onto the activity panel by securing the velcro straps. · The bumper is easily removable and surface washable. INTRODUCTION 5 BATTERY INSTALLATION (Console) · Make sure the unit is turned OFF. · Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the console. · Use a coin or screwdriver to loosen the screw and remove the battery cover. · Insert 4 new "AA" batteries (UM-3/LR6) as illustrated. · Replace the battery cover and tighten the screw to secure. BATTERY INSTALLATION (Activity Panel) · Make sure the unit is turned OFF. · Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the activity panel. · Use a coin or screwdriver to loosen the screw and remove the battery cover. · Insert 3 new "AA" batteries (UM-3/LR6) as illustrated. · Replace the battery cover and tighten the screw to secure. BATTERY NOTICE · Install batteries correctly observing the polarity (+, -) signs to avoid leakage. · Do not mix old and new batteries. · Do not mix batteries of different types: alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc) or rechargeable (nickel-cadmium). · Remove the batteries from the equipment when the unit will not be used for an extended period of time. · Always remove exhausted batteries from the equipment. · Do not dispose of batteries in fire. · Do not attempt to recharge ordinary batteries. · The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited. · Only batteries of the same and equivalent type as recommended are to be used. Notice: When the V.Smile BabyTM is running on batteries, you may see this icon appear on the TV screen . This indicates that battery power is low, and you should replace the batteries soon. Battery time remaining once the icon first appears is approximately 30-60 minutes. 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 console. · 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 · Please make sure the adaptor is out of reach by children. · Only use the recommended adaptor with the toy. · The transformer is not a toy. · Never clean a plugged-in toy with liquid. · Never use more than one adaptor. · Do not leave the toy plugged in for extended periods of time. 6 INTRODUCTION WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THE USE OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. CONNECTING TO A TV NOTE: Before you connect the V.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System to a TV, check to make sure that the unit is working. Once you have turned the unit ON, the power indicator light should glow. If the ON/OFF 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.Smile BabyTM Infant Development 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.Smile BabyTM Infant Development 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.Smile BabyTM cable to the yellow video input terminal on your TV. - Connect the white plug on the V.Smile BabyTM cable to the white audio input terminal on your TV. For TVs with a mono audio inputs: - Connect the yellow plug on the V.Smile BabyTM cable to the yellow video input terminal on your TV. - Connect the white plug on the V.Smile BabyTM cable to the white audio input terminal on your TV. INTRODUCTION CONNECTING TO A VCR If there is no video IN and audio IN terminal on your TV set, you can connect V.Smile BabyTM to a VCR. - Connect the yellow plug on the V.Smile BabyTM cable to the yellow video input terminal on your VCR. - Connect the white plug on the V.Smile BabyTM cable to the white audio input terminal on your VCR. 7 TO BEGIN PLAY · Make sure the unit is turned OFF. · Insert a Baby SmartridgeTM into the SmartridgeTM slot on the front of the console. 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.Smile BabyTM 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.Smile BabyTM Infant Development System on by pressing the ON button. · Turn the V.Smile BabyTM activity panel on by sliding the ON/OFF Switch. ON/OFF Button Storage Compartment Press this button to turn the unit ON/OFF. You can store up to four Baby SmartridgesTM inside the storage compartment when they are not in use. ON/OFF Button Storage Compartment ACTIVITY PANEL FUNCTIONS EXIT Button TV Play/Play Alone Switch Shape Buttons Large Button Mode Selector Switch ON/OFF Switch Roller Ball Removable Fabric Bumper TO BEGIN PLAY 8 CONSOLE FEATURES ACTIVITY PANEL FEATURES ON/OFF Switch To turn the unit ON, slide the ON/OFF Switch to the ON position. To turn the unit OFF, slide the ON/OFF Switch to the OFF position. To activate the Play Alone mode, slide the TV Play/Play Alone Switch to the Play Alone Modes of Play position. The three modes of play include Play Time, Watch & Learn and Learn & Explore. Slide the Mode Selector Switch to choose a mode of play. To preserve battery life, the VTech® V.Smile BabyTM activity panel will automatically power-down after several minutes without input. The unit can be turned on again by pressing any button. TV Play/Play Alone Switch Automatic Shut-Off PLAY ALONE MODE 9 PLAY ALONE MODE 1. Slide the on/off switch to the ON position. Slide the mode selector switch to choose a mode of play. You will hear an inviting phrase and a fun song. 2. Press the shape buttons to hear colors, shapes and shape characteristics depending on the mode that has been selected. 3. Press the large purple button to hear a variety of silly sound effects. 4. Roll the roller ball to hear melodies play piece by piece. MELODY LIST 1. Ring Around the Rosy 2. This Old Man 3. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star SUNG SONG LYRICS (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell) Red and yellow and blue. A square and circle, too. A heart, a star, a triangle, Are what we'll learn today! CARE & MAINTENANCE 1. Keep your V.Smile BabyTM 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 perio ...