BANANAGRAMS

Bananagrams

http://www.bananagrams-intl.com/

 

What is Bananagrams?
BANANAGRAMS®, named Toy Fair 2009’s “Game of the Year’,” is a fast and fun anagram game that drives players bananas! Requiring no pencil, paper or board, Bananagrams comes in a small portable banana shaped pouch and is perfect fun for kids from 7 – 97 years-old, at home or on the go. Created by a word game-obsessed family of three generations, Bananagrams is a labor of love that that has quickly become an international phenomenon. Bananagrams is available online as a Facebook Application and on the iPhone, iTouch, and iPad. Bananagrams recently launched in Spanish, French, Norwegian and German as well as in a larger version – DOUBLE Bananagrams, the big banana for the larger bunch (for 16+ players)!

My Thoughts
This game in simply fabulous. It is easy to carry around and fun to play. You can play alone or with others. No board like Scrabble (which I like by the way but don’t have the opportunity to play much…), and no pencil or paper is required. Simply bring you enthusiasm and play with the tiles to create words.

I find it is a good way to expand someone’s vocabulary as well. I played with my oldest son, who will soon nine years old, and showed that you can learn from the game of your adversary. We played in English and French. We had a blast while we spend some time creating words on the table.

The pouch is quite fun and the game is easy to carry around. You can bring it to a picnic, camping, or simply play it at home. I imagine interesting competition with multiple families with their own Bananagrams. *grin* Wouldn’t it be great?

I think Bananagrams is a must have for any homeschool families as it will challenge the kids to use their vocabulary words and spelling skills during a game. I highly recommend everyone to get a Bananagrams game.


This review was possible because I received a Bananagrams from PTPA Media for product testing.

The game can be purchase everywhere even at amazon.ca.

My child Has Autism

My child Has Autism
Written by Clarissa Willis, Ph. D.
Published at Gryphon House

About the book
"Autism isn't something a person has, or a 'shell' someone is trapped inside. There is no 'normal' child hidden behind the autism… Autism is a way of being." --Jim Sinclair

There are no words to describe how families feel when they learn that a child they love has been diagnosed with autism. This book was written for those families. It explains autism in simple terms, discusses the major characteristics associated with autism, and offers simple strategies for helping children with autism function in their homes, at school, and in the community.

With the help of this book, families will begin to understand the puzzle called autism. It provides strategies for families to help their child: Learn to be independent, Succeed in school, Build social skills, Communicate with others

Although there is no cure for autism, there is certainly hope. My Child Has Autism provides strategies that are the result of Clarissa Willis' 30 years of experience working with children with autism and their families, as a teacher, speech pathologist, early interventionist, and consultant.

Who is Clarissa Willis?
Clarissa Willis, Ph.D., has worked for the past 20 years on behalf of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. She is the author of five books including the award-winning titles Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Inclusive Literacy Lessons. Her articles on child development and early childhood special education have been published both nationally and internationally. Formerly an Associate Professor of Special Education and the Associate Director of the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development at East Tennessee State University, she currently works as an early childhood consultant and frequent speaker at national and international conferences. Clarissa Willis lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

My Thoughts

I had the opportunity to review this book from PTPA during a time where I was debating if one of my kids might have autism. After reading more about autism, I quickly realized that it wasn’t the case.

This book will explain autism using a terminology that is easy to understand. It will describe the various characteristics that are associated with autism and gives some strategies to the parents for helping their child who is autistic.

The strategies will help the child to function in a proper manner at home, at school and in the public. It will help the parent to establish a communication with their child, to understand their child and his/her world because each autistic child might react differently to something like light or sounds, understand the importance of routines and gives guidelines to the workers who will interact with their child.

From what I can see, it can become challenging to have an autistic child. And having some help is always important. When parents just learn that their child is indeed autistic, it is important that they get all the information necessary to understand autism.

I learned a lot while reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who might need it.

My child Has Autism is available everywhere even at Amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Baby Smarts - Games for Playing and Learning

Baby Smarts – Games for playing and learning
Written by Jackie Silberg
Published at Gryphon House

About the book
Did you know?
* A baby’s brain is 250% more active than that of an adult.
* The networking of the brain's synapses is nearly complete after the first 3 years of life.
* Giving your baby stimulating experiences encourages brain development that will prepare your baby for successful learning in the future.

Filled with developmental games based on the latest brain research, Baby Smarts helps you build your baby’s brain power, one activity at a time!

Baby Smarts is divided into four chapters, each representing a three-month period. Each chapter begins with a chart that helps teachers and parents anticipate the typical developmental milestones for that age. The corresponding games and activities develop and reinforce the skills babies need to reach those milestones. Each activity in Baby Smarts uses common materials—there’s no need for expensive toys or props. Every activity in Baby Smarts builds the foundation for future learning!

Who is Jackie Silberg?
Jackie Silberg, who has an M.S. in child development, is an early childhood advocate and popular keynote speaker. She received the Distinguished Alumna Award from Emporia State University, recognizing her current achievements as well as her long and prolific career. Jackie founded and directed the Jewish Community Center School of Music in Kansas City, Missouri, and worked for Channel 41 television, planning the music and performing her original music for a children's program called "41 Treehouse Lane." She wrote and produced a television show for Time Warner called "Just Kids," which addressed children's needs and interests. Jackie has worked as a consultant with the Discovery Channel, setting up their music streaming website. She has given workshops, keynote addresses, seminars, and family concerts throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and in Singapore. Jackie has served as an adjunct instructor at both Emporia State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City and lectures at Johnson County Community College. Jackie is the owner of Miss Jackie Music Company. Jackie Silberg lives in Leawood, Kansas.

My thoughts
This book is a little gem for any new parents. It covers every developmental stages from birth until 12 months. The book is divided in four sections specifically Birth to 3 months old,, 3-6 months old, 6-9 months old and 9-12 months old.

Each section will give you the developmental chart for the specific age and offers you a variety of games and experiences to develop three specific skills; physical, social-emotional and intellectual/thinking. Baby will also use all his/her senses while doing the games with you. There is a lot of activities to discover and have fun with your little one in this book.

When I receive this book, I had for mission to evaluate it for PTPA and report what I thought about it. Unfortunately, my daughter was already above and beyond the age range included in this book. But I did take the time to look into it and go through all the sections to see what this book could bring for parents. I was extremely pleased with the activities and part of me wished I would have another baby just to have fun with him/her. Instead, I am planning to give this book away to someone who will be expecting and recently I’ve learned that my neighbors are expecting their first child in the Spring of 2010. How exciting for them to grow their family! This will be a perfect gift to congratulate them don’t you think?

Baby Smarts is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Bible Trading Cards

Bible Trading Cards
By Creation By Design
Website: http://www.mybiblecards.com/

About the cards
Creation By Design's mission is to create Biblical products that enable children to connect with God's word in an exciting and fun way. In a time where Creationism is debated in the United States as an option to be taught in public schools and the secular culture in inundating our children with the latest in video games, television and trading card fashions, we must find new ways for the next generation to bond with Scripture.

Taking the latest in computer digital graphics and a fresh narrative voice, My Bible Cards stands as an alternative to Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh. Creation By Design has devised a Bible Card trading series that can be used as a teaching tool to help children understand the Biblical narratives without forgoing their sense of the latest gaming trends.

• 100% original 3D digital computer-designed Art
• 100% original textual story content
• Fun facts and Timeline sections to tie the information all together
• Kids will want to collect them all!

My thoughts
I had the opportunity to evaluate this product through PTPA Media, Parent Tested Parent Approved and since they have just release their Holiday Campaign Winners, I can now present you this wonderful card games.
I think this is the best solution for parents who don’t want their kids to be exposed to other card games on the market like Pokemon for example. My oldest was introduced somehow to Pokemon cards when he was going to senior kindergarten. I thought it was a bit too young for this show (not the cards) and since we are not hockey fans per say (we love Olympics hockey though) – I just couldn’t figure out what kind of cards he could “collect”.
Enter My Bible Cards from Creation By Design. When I learned about them, I had just signed up for PTPA Media which allows parents to test and approve products. You receive the product, you test it (use it) and then you answer a questionnaire about it. So I received and e-mail from PTPA Media asking for families who have children aged 7-12 and who ideally are Christians and homeschooling. Which is exactly our situation… So I communicated with them and I received a box of the Old Testament.
Geared for boys and girls whose age is within 5 and 12 years old, these cards will permit them to visualize the stories of hte Old Testament. Each cards has a 3D artwork on the front and 3 sections on the back. The Narrative section which describe the card itself. The Fun Facts which gives more information about the subject of the card in art, literature, history, science and animals. The Timeline which places the event of the card in relation to other trading cards and world history.
I used the cards as a reward when my 5 and 8 year old would behave properly during the school time. I went to the dollar store close to my house and bought them sleeves so that can store the cards and refer to them. We then got a binder to store the sleeves in it. My oldest got in his mind to place the cards by numerical order. So now the cards are in order in the binder and it's easier to refer to them when we look into the Old Testament events. For example, the kids are going through the days of creation at AWANA and we can take the binder and look at the cards related to the Creation days. Pretty neat!
Right now only Series A is available on the market. A packet contains 5 randomly selected cards out of a series of 100. Price of a packet is 3.99$. In a box of 24 packets you would have a total of 120 cards. There is a full set of 100 series A guaranteed in every box. Price of a box is 85$.
Also, you will find in the fun section of their website free wallpapers as well as coloring pages.
I strongly recommended the Bible Trading Cards for whoever who wants to make it more realistic for their kids.