Smart Cycle
Encyclopedia
Smart Cycle Physical Learning Arcade System is a stationary bicycle for children ages three to six.
, was designed to encourage active play in children, drawing from research in neuroscience
which indicated the human brain
grows and learns better during exercise. A child-sized exercise bike, the Smart Cycle connects to a television
's A/V jacks. The accompanying software provides word and number games that children play by pedaling the bike and using the onboard joystick
. The gaming action increases as the child pedals faster. Children can play learning games and have races with friends or against the computer. Learning games include matching, spelling, numbers, shapes and motor skills activities.
joined with Fisher-Price
in advocating active play for children at the February 2007 American International Toy Fair
.
for its 2009 TOADY (Toys Oppressive and Destructive to Young children) Award.
Background
The Smart Cycle, by Fisher-PriceFisher-Price
Fisher-Price is a company that produces toys for infants and children, headquartered in East Aurora, New York. Fisher-Price has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel since 1993.-History:...
, was designed to encourage active play in children, drawing from research in neuroscience
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
which indicated the human brain
Human brain
The human brain has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times larger than the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size. Estimates for the number of neurons in the human brain range from 80 to 120 billion...
grows and learns better during exercise. A child-sized exercise bike, the Smart Cycle connects to a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
's A/V jacks. The accompanying software provides word and number games that children play by pedaling the bike and using the onboard joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
. The gaming action increases as the child pedals faster. Children can play learning games and have races with friends or against the computer. Learning games include matching, spelling, numbers, shapes and motor skills activities.
Partnership
Fitness expert Richard SimmonsRichard Simmons
Milton Teagle Simmons , known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos and DVDs and is known for his eccentric, outgoing and frequently flamboyant personality...
joined with Fisher-Price
Fisher-Price
Fisher-Price is a company that produces toys for infants and children, headquartered in East Aurora, New York. Fisher-Price has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel since 1993.-History:...
in advocating active play for children at the February 2007 American International Toy Fair
American International Toy Fair
The American International Toy Fair is one of a few major toy industry trade shows held around the world. It is held annually in mid February in New York City's Toy Center, located at 23rd Street at the crossover of Fifth Avenue and Broadway and at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and is...
.
Criticism
On January 22, 2009, Fisher-Price's Smart Cycle was nominated by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free ChildhoodCampaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is a "national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups, parents, and individuals who care about children [and is] the only national organization devoted to limiting the impact of commercial culture on children." It sponsors the...
for its 2009 TOADY (Toys Oppressive and Destructive to Young children) Award.