Category Archives: Age 3-5

Super WHY! wows toddlers with toys

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Educational Toys, New posts,

Madelyn loves the popular PBS show Super WHY!.  In case you haven’t seen the show you can watch it on PBS, click here to find your local station, and you can watch a snippet of the show on YouTube here.

Super WHY! toysSUPER WHY, is a preschool series designed to help kids ages 3 to 6 with the critical skills that they need to learn to read.  Madelyn loves to repeat the letters and words.

Learning Curve’s new Super WHY! product line includes a wide range of exciting, adorable and educational plush toys, figures, vehicles, play sets and early learning aids. With many of the items available for under $20, and filled with familiar sights, sounds, and a cast of reading-ready superhero characters straight from the popular preschool literacy program, children and parents will love Learning Curve’s new Super WHY! line.

A few Super WHY! toys are the Super WHY! Zap & Learn Why Writer, a handheld learning aid that combines role play and learning for hours of interactive fun; Super WHY! Electronic Role Play Sets, which enable children to “become” their favorite character and act out the show through imaginative play; and the Super WHY! Hovering Why Flyer, a motion-activated toy that “magically” hovers above the ground and features lights, sound effects and phrases straight from the TV series.

Madelyn loves her Super WHY! Electronic Princess Presto Role Play Kit and the separate Princess Presto Wave & Learn Magic Spelling Wand. Sometimes she’ll use both wands at the same time.  I’m sure to get out of the way then!

Shop for Super WHY! toys for your PBS Super WHY! lovin’ toddler at Amazon.com here.

GIVEAWAY!
We are giving 3 lucky readers their very own Super WHY! Hovering Why Flyer!

About the prize: The Super WHY! Hovering Why Flyer magically allows our favorite storybook hero to take to the sky!  Actually hovering above the ground, this amazing motion-activated toy features lights, sound effects and phrases straight from the Super WHY! TV series.  The innovative hovering flyer takes imaginative play to a whole new level, as kids take Super Why in search of new adventures for hours on end. Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $19.99

To enter, tell me in the comments below what you and/or your child love about Super WHY!. Get an extra entry by re-tweeting this review using your Twitter.

Entries accepted until August 31st.

Enjoy!

Alicia Hagan, TMI Editor

Young Minds Numbers & Counting DVD for Toddlers + Giveaways!

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Educational Toys, New posts, , ,

There are times when I feel like I need to let Madelyn watch TV.  I try to occupy her through out the day with toys, creative stuff, etc.. but with most of my work needing to be done between 1 and 6pm, I rely on the TV to keep her occupied for an hour or so. However, I hate Sponge Bob and after 3:00 or so, shows are mostly geared for older kids.  I try to find the best quality, most educational show on during that time but there is such as a thing as re-runs and just plain yucky educational TV.

Young Minds - Numbers and Counting DVD

I was recently introduced to Young Mind Number and Counting DVD and Madelyn, 3 years old, watched it for the first time today.  Her response was adorable and I really enjoyed seeing her reaction and hearing her talk along with and back to the DVD.  Here is a short video of Madelyn watching the DVD.  I apologize for the sound quality and the camera seems to have zoomed in and out the entire time.  Yikes!

MathTutorDVD.com has created the Young Minds series of DVDs to introduce young children to the joys of learning Math at a young age. This DVD in Numbers and Counting teaches young children to count from 1 to 10 by way of engaging classical music, photographs, and video.

Each number is presented with colorful, non-cluttered, large photographs, video, and animation that kept Madelyn’s attention very well.  Numbers are animated to fly-in from off screen and show the child how to count by counting objects that they are naturally interested in. Animals such as frogs, horses, jellyfish, sharks, whales, and more are shown to the viewer along with the animal sounds. Colors are also taught by pointing out the color of objects on screen.

DVDs in this area are designed to stimulate young children to take an interest in Math at an early age.  The DVD is set to classical music selections from the great composers such as J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, and others!

The central idea of this video is to teach children numbers and counting while at the same time teaching them the names of animals, machines, and other objects along with their associated sounds and colors. This integrated learning approach keeps children interested and promotes continued learning.

Learn more about Young Minds and their DVD’s at the Young Minds / Math Tutor DVD website here.

GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to Young Minds we are giving 10 lucky readers a Young Minds Numbers and Counting DVD!

To enter leave a comment below telling us why you want to win a copy of Young Minds Numbers and Counting DVD.
For 2 entries, click the green ‘retweet’ button to Twitter this post to your friends and then leave your Twitter ID in the comments below.
Entries accepted until August 31st.[tweetmeme]

Two Classic Toys for Your Creative Toddler

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, New posts, Toys, Wooden Toys, , ,

Madelyn, 3 years old, is at the age when she appreciates toys that require some level of creativity. Because she is a little young, she can’t take complete advantage of the creative aspects of the toys, but she enjoys trying. For example, she enjoys putting pegs in the Lite-Brite but she can’t place the pegs exactly where need to be to make a picture yet.

A few toys classic creative toys that she play with are:

Lite Brite

Lite Bright

Lite-Brite is one of the toys that I actually remember playing with. I have memories of sitting the dark putting the little pegs in the Lite-Brite often making my own designs. Available in pink, blue, and other colors, boys and girls both love this classic toy which can create a few minutes of peaceful time for you, the mom. Lite-Brite is not recommended for children under 3.

Illuminate your imagination with the classic light-up picture maker is now available in a cool flat screen and in the classic box style. The fun, portable design easily fits on your lap or on a table – it’s cordless, so you can take it anywhere! Most, if not all styles comes with 200 pegs. A large storage compartment allows for easy clean-up, and an automatic shut-off conserves battery life.. now that’s more advanced than mine was about 30 years ago.

Alphabet Blocks

Alphabet Blocks

I know you remember playing with Alphabet Blocks. Did your parents leave you to play with alphabet blocks in the hallway or was that just my parents? Alphabet blocks provide hours of fun, creativity, and education. Unlike Lite-Brite (for safety reasons) your 3-4 year old can play with Alphabet Blocks alone, stacking and knocking them down, or you can play with the blocks with her for a more educational experience. Most alphabet blocks have letters, numbers, and pictures on them and are now non-toxic.

These wooden blocks are great for teaching letter and number recognition, and building creativity. The alphabet blocks pictured here are available in English, Spanish, French, other languages and even braille and are made with fair labor in the USA.

Animal Fun Time iPhone app review + 5 readers will get a free copy!

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Educational Toys, Games, iphone, New posts, , , , , ,

Animal Fun Time iPhone appI’m having a blast trying out new iPhone apps and what’s even better is that I get to watch my kids enjoy them too! Yes, I try apps for organizing, apps for recipes, apps for travel, but apps for the kids are the most fun because my kids are involved and I love to see their reaction and desire to play or watch them over and over again.  My kids are on iPhone time limits.  I don’t recommend handing your iPhone over to your kids and letting them have at it for hours. I think about 10 minutes at a time is plenty.

Animal Fun Time (iTunes link), brought to us by people operating technology, provides interactive musical on-screen flashcards featuring the animals as the stars. Promoting interactive see, touch & recognition skills, with bright colors and great sound effects, it’s the perfect app for a busy toddler AND for a busy parent who needs a busy toddler!

So what is Animal Fun Time? It is an app that teaches toddlers ages 3+ animal recognition as well as hand-eye coordination.  There are 5 animals on the screen at a time and your child must ‘press’ on the correct animal to move to the next screen. Kids are awarded with realistic (if not real) animal sounds and enthusiastic praise when he/she presses on the correct animal.

Madelyn, 3 years old, has a great time with Animal Fun Time. She loves to hear the noise each animal makes when she chooses the correct animal. The game is randomized so the game is never the same and thus your kids won’t get bored with it. Oh, and don’t worry, there’s no need for instructions so you can count on handing your iPhone over to your toddler to play Animal Fun Time and she’ll be on her way to a super fun time!

GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to people operating technology, we are giving 5 lucky readers their own free copy of Animal Fun Time!
1 entry: Just leave a comment below telling me why you want to win Animal Fun Time and/or tell us a funny story about your child and your iPhone.  Did something crazy happen when your kid had your iPhone?  Let us know!
2 extra entries: Click the green ‘retweet’ button to share this post with your Twitter friends then leave a comment below with your Twitter ID.
Entries accepted until August 25th, 2009.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

[tweetmeme]

KidZui, the Internet for Kids + we are giving away 5 KidZui Memberships!

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Games, New posts, Online Fun for Kids, , , , ,

KidZui Internet browser for kidsKidZui is an Internet browser for kids that I recently installed on my laptop and my son’s laptop.  He totally LOVES KidZui.  He has access to his favorite games and virtual worlds like Club Penguin and is introduced to safe online games and educational websites that he might not have otherwise learned about and can even interact SAFELY with other KidZui members. No matter where a user is in KidZui, he/she can get back to the KidZui home screen, and lists of games, virtual worlds, educational sites, and more.  In other words, navigating KidZui is simple.

Great for kids ages 3-12, KidZui users (even non-members) can create their own Zui choosing a hairstyle, clothes, and even the shape of his eyes.  All of the options can make for a very interesting Zui!

KidZui is a stand alone Internet browser meaning that you do not have to have IE or Firefox open to access KidZui.

KidZui FEATURES FOR PARENTS:

  • Parent Account access
  • Find out what websites your child has been visiting
  • E-mailed reports of your kid’s online activity
  • Accounts include all the kids in your family – Sebastian and Madelyn have their own Zui’s
  • Unlimited history of your kid’s activity – MEMBERS ONLY
  • View your kid’s top interests by their online activity – MEMBERS ONLY
  • Block individual websites – MEMBERS ONLY

KidZui FEATURES FOR KIDS

  • Over a million pieces of content
  • Express your style & create your own Zui
  • Share your favorite content with friends
  • Join the community & make parent approved friends
  • Unlock over 100 new Zui clothes & accessories – MEMBERS ONLY
  • Create your own channel with your favorite content – MEMBERS ONLY
  • Unlock extra features by gaining levels – MEMBERS ONLY

GIVEAWAY!
We are giving 5 lucky readers a FREE KidZui Membership!
1 entry: Leave a comment below telling me why you want your own KidZui Membership and you are entered to win!
2 extra entries: Retweet this post using the green retweet button below then leave a comment below with your Twitter user name in the Twitter ID box so we know you ‘retweeted’ this post.  That’s it! [tweetmeme]