Big Book Of How Review

I have a very curious little 6 year old on my hands! She is constantly asking questions to learn more about the world around her!! I try my best to answer them all, but mom only knows so much!!! I often turn to books or good ol' Google to help find the answers I don't know! I like to find educational books that are interesting but still teach you something!! A recent find of mine was "The Big Book Of How", from Time Home Entertainment!  This great books answers questions on a HUGE range of topics, all in words kids can understand! It makes learning fun!!  

The 192-page book, packed with vivid illustrations and comprehensive reporting, helps kids ages 8 and up discover the answers to questions such as: How does a chameleon change colors? How was Mount Rushmore built? How to stay safe during an earthquake? How do you build a spaghetti bridge? How do diamonds form? How does an iceberg form? How do astronauts train for a space mission? How does a lock work? How does popcorn pop? Detailed explanations, more than 200 colorful photos and diagrams, and over 20 “How to” activities help to educate and engage young readers.

My daughter thought this was about the coolest thing on earth!! When I gave it to her we spent about a half an hour browsing the pages and reading the ones that caught her eye. Some of our favorites included learning about tornadoes, Mount Rushmore, and all sorts of animals! The photos are great and everything is explained really well! I love that they broke the book into chapters by topic, so you can check out specific things like sports, natural disasters and more!  The book is an endless source of great knowledge!!

The book is available now for $19.95-and even less if you shop around!!  It is recommend for ages 8 and up, but my 6 year old really enjoyed it! She can read but still needed just a little help with the bigger words.  This book is a must have for any child who loves to learn!!   Check it out today!!

I was not compensated for this post. I was given a copy of the book to review on my blog. I was not obligated to give a positive review.

Check out ABCmouse.com for your kids!

As parents, we play many different roles. Among them is the ever-challenging but rewarding job of the teacher. Whether you take on the task of being a full-time teacher through home school or just aim to supplement your child's classroom curriculum, we're all looking for tools to help our kids on their educational journey!

ABCmouse.com is one of those great resources that we thought Moms needed to know about! At ABCmouse.com, their goal is to help 2-6 year olds build a strong foundation for future academic success by providing a comprehensive and engaging online curriculum to greatly assist early learners to succeed in pre-k, kindergarten, and early elementary school programs.

ABCmouse.com is subscription-based, with no advertising, pop-up ads, or links to other sites. Children can learn and explore with their parents, or on their own (depending on age and ability), in a safe and secure online educational environment.

Best of all, the lessons and activities featured on ABCmouse.com are not just educational, they're fun too! The basics (often referred to as "the ABC's") are taught through the use of a computer mouse, "ABC Mouse", who comes to life to guide learners everywhere.

This info was provided to me by MomSelect. I was not compensated for sharing this info. 

Your Baby Can Read Review & Complete Set Giveaway!! {CLOSED}

Have you seen the commercials on TV for Your Baby Can Read? The first time I saw it, I couldn't believe it! How do they get a little baby to read what the card says on that commercial? She couldn't even be a year old, and could tell what the words said.  Curious and intrigued, I wondered how effective this program really was.  It caught my husband's eye too, and so I took to the internet in search of this wonderful product.  Your Baby Can Read offered me a program to try out on my family, and share with you readers my opinions!! I was more than excited to get this opportunity! I have 3 girls, all between 2 and 5 years. I wish I had been able to start earlier, but as it says in the parent guide, it doesn't matter what age.  At any age, this program can help your child.  So I decided to give it a shot.

The program is something that works when you incorporate all parts together and continuously work with your child.  The first part is simple: let your child watch the dvd.  They are labeled Level 1-5 and have a fun and entertaining way to teach children simple words, by showing the word, having it said multiple times, then showing a picture of what the word is.  Then they use the word with a clip showing what the word is, while they use the word in a sentence. So for example they say "hi".  You see the word "hi" on the screen. It is read by an adult and also a child.  Then they see a child waving hi.  The narrator says something like "the child is saying hi".  And the video runs about 20 minutes.  Some of the words come back up throughout the movie, to help increase recognition via repetition.  I even sit with the kids to be sure they are paying attention and repeating the words with the kids on TV.

Next they have a flap book.  These books go with the dvd level, and feature some of the words from that level.  The words are in large letters on a white page, and the picture to go with the word is underneath the flap.  This helps to reinforce what they saw on the video. Of course, older kids may start to remember the order of words, so if you notice they do this but don't recognize the words out of order, you may want to jump around to mix it up and help them learn.  The books are actually kind of sturdy, which surprised me! 

The next step is to use the slider cards that coordinate with the level you are working on. These are the same words from the video and you can do it in any random order to really test and enhance your child's progress.  And for not-so-gentle hands, there are cute mini-sliding board books! These are full of cute pictures to go with everyday words, like bathroom words, kitchen words, play words and more! There are 6 little books, and my kids love them!!

After completing the Your Baby Can Read series,  you can start doing the Your Child Can Read dvds.  these are great to teach, reinforce and expand reading skills.  These are for ages 3 and older, and really help to develop those reading skills! The whole system comes with a great parents guide to help you help the kids! There are teaching cards and even a dvd workshop to help you as a parent understand just why this system works like it does!! Combine this all together, and you can help your child learn how to read!!

So how did it work with my kids? We have been doing the system  almost a month now. We are still working on perfecting level 1 before going on.  My 2 year old has an increase in her vocabulary. She is always surprising me with the words she knows! My 3 year old has an increased interest in reading and she is the only one who actually will sit through the entire dvd when I tell her to. Usually she is the one running around and not watching the TV, but she likes these dvds.  My oldest, who is 5, has been reading small books now and is improving recognition of the words on the cards. I caught her memorizing some of the sequence, so I have changed the order of the books I read to help her learn to recognize the word. We also practice writing to help reinforce the meaning of letters.  Her teacher told me last week she is a month ahead of where she expected my daughter to be! My daughter has also gotten 80-100% on all of her Accelerated reader tests and is already on the 4th level of AR books, and this is the 2nd month of kindergarten! She is doing well and I am so proud! The Your Baby Can Read set definitely contributed to her progress!!

And lucky you! Your Baby Can Read also sent me a complete program to giveaway on my blog!!! One of you can help your child learn how to read, thanks to the great people at Your Baby Can Read!!  You get everything you see in the photo above with my 2 yr old!! The entire collection is worth  $199.95!!! Here is how you can enter to win!:

MANDATORY ENTRY 2 PARTS MUST BE DONE FOR THE ENTRY AND EXTRA ENTRIES TO COUNT:

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You can tweet this: "Your Baby Can Read Complete Set Giveaway!! http://goo.gl/fb/8Peus @frugalfamilyfun & @yourbabycanread"
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Contest begins now and ends December 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeits prize.  Because I am shipping, this is open to U.S. only!! Good luck!

Your Baby Can Read!  provided my blog with products to review and giveaway on my blog.  I was not under any obligation to write a positive review. Photos from Your Baby Can Read!

Beating Summer Boredom with Dr. Z. and Primrose Schools!

School is out and children are so excited that summer is here, but it won't be long until you hear the infamous, "I'm bored" from your little ones.


Primrose Schools, the leader in educational child care, recommends encouraging imaginative play and having a plan in place to keep children's minds engaged during the summer months. Studies show that without stimulation, children can lose up to 60 percent of what they learned during the school year.

That's why Dr. Mary Zurn, Vice President of Education for Primrose, has come up with the list of ideas below as a starting point for summer activities that offer a balance between the freedom of child-initiated play time and more structured activities.

Here are 10 ideas parents can use to keep young minds active during the summer months:


1.Beat the Boredom Jar: At the beginning of the summer, sit down with your family and brainstorm a list of activities that can be done alone or that you can enjoy doing together. Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family “Beat the Boredom Jar.” They’ll feel more involved in the project and more likely to think this is a “neat” idea, if they participate in the creation and idea generation. Next, write everyone’s ideas down on slips of paper and as a group decide which ones should go in the jar. Anyone in the family can pull any idea out of the jar to fight the summertime boredom blues.

2.Stories Alive: It sounds too simple, but reading is one of the most important ways to keep young minds engaged during the summer. Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life. For example, in the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, children create a make-believe town in the desert out of rocks, boxes, and their imaginations. Read the book with your children and then challenge them to create their own town with materials they find in the backyard.

3.Art Treasure Chest: You’ll need to gather basic art supplies–child safe scissors, glue, markers, tape, and construction paper. Put them in a special box along with empty oatmeal boxes and paper towel rolls, colorful magazines, and bits of aluminum foil. Occasionally add a special surprise like chalk, stickers, or stamp pads so there’s always something new for the children to find. Even if you normally have these supplies around the house, it‘s fun for children to know that the Art Treasure Chest is just for them. They’ll probably have some good ideas of other household items that can be recycled to fuel their creative energies.

4.Family Performances: Break out old clothes or costumes and encourage children to make up characters and create a play to act out. They are the directors, actors, and producers. They can also make musical instruments out of pots/pans, wooden spoons, empty canisters and have a parade; or everyone can play along to your family’s favorite songs. Record or video the performances, and enjoy the replay. You’ll also be capturing a bit of family history everyone will enjoy for years to come.

5.Fort Building: Children love to build all kinds of structures--from small towns to large towers. Constructing forts or tents is an activity that can keep children focused and problem solving for hours. All the items you need can be found around the house–some chairs, cushions, blankets… and of course adult supervision.

6.Cookbook Fun: Have you ever shared your favorite cookbook with your children? Take it out and ask your children to choose a recipe to try. Measuring can be a fun and easy way to keep math skills fresh.

7.Summer Scrapbook: All you need for this project is a spiral notebook. Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos from special events throughout the summer. Children love to go back through scrapbooks and albums and tell about what happened at each occasion. They will also be building their storytelling skills at the same time.

8.Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard, in the den or at the park and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear what I hear? Can you imitate the sound? This is similar to watching the clouds and naming the shapes, and it encourages everyone to slow down and focus on listening.

9.Camping Out: Pretend to campout in the backyard. Plan a meal, pack a backpack and set up a campsite. You might even decide to spend the night!

10.Scavenger Hunt: Make a list or picture cards of common household items and have your children find the items on the list. Invite friends or neighbors to join in the fun to make it a competition.

11.Throw a family dance party! Enough said!

Parents can use this list of ideas as a starting point for summer activities that offer a balance between the freedom of child-initiated play time and more structured activities. I know we have so many creative parents out there. Share your ideas! What has worked when your kids say “I’m bored”?
 
Check out http://www.drzandme.com/ and www.PrimroseSchools.com  for more great info!
 
Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.

Kleen Slate Concepts Review and Giveaway (3 Winners!)

I am in the process of teaching my daughter how to read. Now that she knows how to write all the letters and what not, it is fun to write words with her and teach her how to read small words!  This can be done anywhere: at home, in the car, at the doctor's office or wherever! Kleen Slate Concepts makes writing or even drawing on the go simple and clean!  We got to try out some of their Kleen Slate Paddles and Dry Erase Markers!  From day 1 they were a HUGE hit! The girls loved that the markers snapped onto the paddles and they could take them anywhere we went! And since we had more than one, nobody fought over them!!

Some info on the paddles:
Created by a Teacher & Proven in the Classroom
Cleans easily with soap and water;
Includes low-odor, non-toxic markers;
Made of durable plastic that holds up under frequent use;
Promotes active learning across subjects in all grades;
Saves paper.

The markers come in several different colors, ensuring you won't get bored!  The large ones are great for little fingers! I was so excited to use these! The boards even have one side with lines and one side that is blank, so you can write or draw!!

A little about Kleen Slate:

KleenSlate Concepts is an international product development company providing communication tools for businesses, classrooms, hospitals, homes and travel.
KleenSlate Concepts is all about communication. We offer a line of patented, award-winning dry erase products, including markers, erasers and the unique KleenSlate dry erase Paddle boards- a low-tech revolutionary educational tool designed to enhance communication. The simple and innovative design of a two sided dry erase paddle and low-odor markers with cap erasers allow for on-the-go, simple communication anywhere.
Kleenslate is a company that is dedicated to quality product development. Our line of innovative and low-tech tools are environmentally friendly and encourage fun interaction. Invented by former teacher Julia Rhodes, the dry erase product line is based on proven techniques for communication enhancement.

In addition, KleenSlate Concepts has developed our Partners in Education Program to connect schools with local and national businesses. This 2 year investment has demonstrated a direct and measurable difference in the classroom. Partners in Education provides teachers with tools that inspire learning, raise test score, reduce paper use, allow every child's voice to be heard, and includes lessons to empower and connect students inside and outside the classroom.

I couldn't find a bad thing about the boards! The markers wash easily off of skin, even with just a baby wipe! The eraser on the end of the pen is a wonderful idea and they are long lasting markers! These are so great to leave in the car for running around town, or for use in a school or daycare setting! Any child could use this (with supervision for little ones!) and love it!

Click here to purchase your own Kleen Slate boards!

3 of you will be winning your own Kleen Slate set!
Here is how to win!!!:

*MANDATORY ENTRY* THIS MUST BE DONE FOR ANY EXTRA ENTRY TO COUNT!
Check out their Blog and tell me one thing you learned in a comment below! If your email is not on your blogger profile, YOU MUST INCLUDE IT IN YOUR FIRST COMMENT.  Otherwise how can I email you if you win? ☺

Extra entries!:
Follow @FrugalFamilyFun on Twitter 1 extra entry
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Can be up to 5 times daily, tweets must be at least 1 hour apart for entry. 1 extra entry for each tweet.
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You can use this tweet if you want: Win a Kleen Slate dry erase paddle set from @frugalfamilyfun http://ow.ly/1VMd9
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Blog about this contest, including a link back to this giveaway worth 5 extra entries.
  Leave me the link in your comments to the post

Contest begins now and ends July 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeits prize. Good luck!

Kleen Slate Concepts provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Champions Summer Science Program!

With Spring in full bloom, it's not too soon to start thinking about your kids' Summer plans. Instead of letting them hang around the house all Summer or sending them off to Grandma's, why not send them on the adventure of a lifetime? What child doesn't want to become an astronaut or solve an ancient Egyptian mystery?

Moms, meet Champions Science Adventures summer day camps. They focus on taking science education beyond the classroom to spark a child's interest in science through exploration and discovery. Science Adventures day camps are available for students ages 5 to 12 years throughout the summer, at participating recreation facilities, parks, and schools nationwide.Champions Science Adventures take science education beyond the classroom to spark a child’s interest in science through exploration and discovery. Science Adventure day camps are available for students ages 5 to 12 years throughout the summer, at participating recreation facilities, parks, and schools nationwide.


This year, two new exciting camps have been added, including: Mystery of the Pharaoh’s Treasure and Go Wild! In these camps, children help to solve an Egyptian mystery and investigate amazing wildlife and plants. Plus, two popular camps – Gizmo’s Robot Factory and Space and Rocketry – return.

Each camp is one-week long with half-day and full-day options. Parents can enroll online at http://www.scienceadventures.com/ and have the option to register their children for all four camps, or just one program. Camp program fees and schedules vary by location.

• Champions Science Adventures summer day camps focus on FUN and take science education beyond the classroom to spark a child’s interest in the world of science through exploration and discovery

• Champions Science Adventures camps are designed to inspire curiosity about how the world works while instilling a love of learning about science through interactive, hands-on experiments and activities

• This year’s four camps are Mystery of the Pharaoh’s Treasure, Go Wild, Gizmo’s Robot Factory and Space and Rocketry

• You can visit www.scienceadventures.com for more information

• Save $50 on a Champions Science Adventure summer day camp with the following code: summerscience10

• As the final days of the school year approach, there are several simple ways to encourage your students to keep their minds working all summer long. Summer vacation is the perfect time for children to discover that learning is fun and can happen anywhere - not just in places called classrooms. One easy way to learn while on summer break is with educational videos. Try the Champions Science Adventures webisodes found here: (http://www.youtube.com/user/scienceadventures). Filled with amazing footage and information, you're sure to be engaged from in front of your own computer.

• Tips to choosing a summer camp:

1. Ask Your Child: Camp should be about fun so it’s important to ask your kid about their interests and where he/she wants to go for camp. Get thoughts from your child first as that should lead you in the right direction and help shape all your other decisions.

2. Take a Tour: Take time to visit the camp you’re considering, preferably with your child, to preview the program offering. Look for well organized plans of activities, thoughtful preparation and a safe and inviting environment for your child.

3. Consider Specialty Camps: Now, there are camps that are focused on specific activities like sports or science. For example, children that attend the Champions Science Adventures camps learn how to build a robot, become mini-astronauts, solve an Egyptian mystery and leap into a wild animal adventure over four weeks beginning in June.

4. Balance Learning and Fun: While summer should definitely present fun filled activities that give children an experience different from their typical school day, the program you choose should also incorporate some learning activities into the camp day.

5. Insist on Health and Safety Basics: Look for programs that are licensed and meet stringent health and safety requirements. Make sure to inquire about the medical training of the staff and if medical equipment like a first aid kit is readily available.

Champions Science Adventures, the nation’s largest science enrichment provider, is proud to offer ONE FREE HALF DAY TOPIC WEEK to our Science Summer Camp in 2010. Check out the camp locations here. Our fun, interactive science day camps help rocket kids toward a bright future. Your child will be introduced to science concepts as they build projects, conduct experiments and take part in multiple science activities.

You will be able to choose from four different topics including Space and Rocketry and Go Wild. Please visit http://www.discoverchampions.com/ to check out the topics!
 
Webisodes:


Go Wild Champions Adventure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvk3CsYk2B4

Super Cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KHsM-dxdeQ

Air Power: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KevtevcAvK8

Hocus Pocus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3fknCgXwHI
 
Here is how to win!
 
Subscribe to our email on the left. Leave me a comment below saying you subscribe and include your email.  Also go to http://www.discoverchampions.com/, choose which topic camp you will choose if you win!
 
Earn extra entries!  Leave a seperate comment for each, and be sure to leave the link or screen name if applicable for credit!

1. Follow @frugalfamilyfun on twitter
2. blog about this giveaway for 5 entries leave me the link
3. have our button on your blog leave me the link.
4. tweet up to 5 times daily, leave me a link to the tweet in your comment
5. follow us via google friend connect!
7. Tweet daily! Up to 5 times a day! include the link to this giveaway, @frugalfamilyfun



Contest begins now and ends May 31, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or will forfeit prize.

I was given a $25 Target card for hosting this contest. These opinions are not affected by the compensation received. They are my honest opinions. The winner will also be receiving the prize mentioned.

Enter to win a "Your Baby Can Read" starter kit

Check out Lady Bugs and Tonka Trucks for a chance to win your own Your Baby Can Read starter pack!! Click here to check out the post and enter!!!

Fun Alphabet Activities!

Here are a few fun and quick ways to help your child learn their ABC's!!!

Activity 1: The Alphabet Song
Sing the alphabet song. Be sure to sing the letters "L", "M", "N","O", and "P". Have your child sing the song several times with you.

Activity 2: Alphabet Clap
Clap your hands while saying the alphabet. Say one letter for each clap. For example, when you clap the first time, say, "A". When you clap the second time, say, "B". Continue through the alphabet. Then have your child clap and say the alphabet.

Activity 3: Alphabet Bounce: (You will need a ball)
Stand in front of your child, and bounce a ball as you say the alphabet. For example, bounce the ball once and say, "A". Bounce the ball again and say, "B". Continue through the alphabet. Then have your child say the alphabet with you as you bounce the ball.

Activity 4: ABC Parade
Have your child stand behind you. March around the room, saying the alphabet as you step. Have your child say the alphabet with you. Later, let your child have a turn leading you around the room.

Activity 5: Family catch and say (You will need a ball)
Have your family sit in a circle. Have everyone pass a ball around the circle. The person who catches the ball says the next letter. Complete until you're finished or until your child is unable to say the next letter.
IF your child is unable to say the next letter, say the letter and ask your child to repeat it. Then continue the game!

From Curriculum Associates Inc.