The Yoto Player is more than just a story player, there is so much fascinating information and joy to be had from using the player, the huge range of media and the playable cards-you can even create your own!
The children can easily use the Yoto player to listen to stories and music whenever they like. The stories are beautifully read and fun to listen to and the children are often just quietly listening to the stories having some quiet time which is so important for them.
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So what is it all about?
The Yoto Player experience starts as soon as you receive the Yoto box, the player is excellently packed in cardboard and biodegradable wrapping and everything you need is in the neat little package!
The Yoto Player is a small cube, not completely cube shaped as it angled so you can lean it backwards if you like to listen to stories. It is a nice size for little hands to easily hold and control. It has a coloured display at the front, two simple orange buttons and an on/off button. Such a great design to keep it easy to use for little ones so they can listen to cards and music whenever they like!
All the controls are carried out using the two simple dials on the player itself and on the app.
It comes with its own charger, the player sits easily on the charger and is held in place by magnets-ideal for little fingers to make sure it is sat correctly and in the right place! You can take the player off the charger to play, so you can take it out and about with you on your adventures or enjoy while eating your cornflakes!
The box also includes the various plug options too, handy for taking it on holidays with you!
The front of the player displays an clever image of what you are listening to, the time and any information you need during set up.
The player has a nightlight which you get by lying the player on its face and the light is on the back. You can choose the colour on the app and also adjust its brightness using the orange button.
The App
To set up your Yoto Player download the app to your phone and it really is simple to set up, there are full instructions on their website with links from the app. You can then connect to your Yoto Player to change settings such as wake/sleep time, nightlight colour, volume control and use of the two orange buttons.
The app is extremely easy to use and navigate. I was slightly worried as we don’t have WiFi where we live and have to rely on mobile data…. and it works perfectly- this is no issue at all!
The app also shows any cards that you have purchased in your library!
Once in your library, as well as playing on your Yoto Player you can also play from the app on your phone. Yoto recommend you save the cards onto your player for a smoother play so when setting up you simply leave your player switched on charging and the player will update with any new cards or player updates.
There is so much available information on the app you can play on the player. There are podcasts such as daily science news, interviews with authors and mindfulness. There are radio stations to choose from, featured audio and even sleep sounds such as noises for sleep (i.e. white noise) and natural sounds (from a Devon Hedgerow-my favourite! to Kirthar National Park in Pakistan!)
The stories and more……
To play on the Yoto Player you simple place the chosen card in the top and it starts to play. If you take the card out it will start from where you left off! You use the orange buttons to go forward later/backwards through the chapters and also to control the volume.
The front screen also has clever little pictures of whatever you are listening to see such as a dragon or a character from the story! The images even change as the story or chapters change.
The cards are normally in chapters and are all overly readings of the books which sound effects and music! Often after the stories there may be a song or activities, such as pretending to be characters from the book or exploring the location of the book. So much more than just the story!
There are classic books, modern stories and populate favourites such as The Gruffalo and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.
We really enjoy listening to Yoto daily-a daily podcast that is available by just pressing the right orange button (if you have it set up as that shortcut) It is relevant to whatever is happening that day such as World Penguin Day etc and full of fun and information! You can also ask for your kids birthdays to be read out too-such a nice touch that started during lockdown.
As well as stories there are information cards such as adventures in space, classical music, cards in different languages and even create your own cards!
Create your own cards let the kids read their own stories or sing songs and play them back-they love doing this! This also lets friends and relatives record stories too, either in the app or they can send you the sound file (see the Yoto website for the details and file type) The children’s Grandma read and recorded some of there favouritestories and so even when we can’t meet they can play her reading the book which is brilliant!
Radio….
There is access to lots of different radio stations you can choose through the app and by using the orange button to select the radio. The songs are fun and popular and we love having a dance around the kitchen before bath time listening to the Yoto player-previous times.
Would I recommend a Yoto Player?
Absolutely. This is worth the money. The children absolutely love it, we love stories and it is amazing they are able to play stories and music whenever they like. The app is extremely useful as is the additional support available from Yoto Player. They are continually making improvements which are updated on your player automatically so it is never old technology. The player is already well loved and is going to give many years of enjoyment!
Just A Normal Mum 
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