Dr. Toy’s Best List 2014

Posted on October 16, 2014 at 8:00 am

Every year I look forward to Dr. Toy’s list of the best toys and games for kids. Steveanne Auerbach is the author of Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/ Smart Toys and a respected expert on toys that encourage learning and imagination. Her 10 Best lists include the ones she recommends most highly for building, being active, being creative, for learning, and for environmental sustainability.

My favorite: Time in a Box

Inside this box you’ll find 96 activity cards that allow a child to momentarily shift your priorities and focus on doing a special activity together. Play a board game, solve a puzzle, start a family tree, make a blanket fort, visit your local fire station or carry out an act of kindness that will bring a smile to a stranger’s face. A simple written agreement between you and the child sets the ground rules by which you’ll both abide.

Switch off your cell phone and get ready for some quality time! Season-by-season, with these inspired activities, you’ll have a wealth of ways to make memories together.

What is Time in a Box? A gift of dedicated time, an opportunity to try new things, a way to explore art and science, a chance to plan for the future and to consider the past, a way to tell a child in your life that they matter to you – more than anything!

Recess Monkeys for Fire Safety Month

Posted on October 2, 2014 at 3:16 pm

The Recess Monkeys and Sparky the Fire Dog are here to help families learn about fire safety.

NAACP Reminds Parents to Read to Their Kids

Posted on September 7, 2014 at 12:13 pm

The NAACP has an all-star line-up of performers reminding parents to read to their children, including Bill Withers and Tatyana Ali. Take a listen — and follow their advice. There is no greater gift you can give your kids than reading to them — and letting them see that books matter in your life.

Schoolhouse Rock is Coming Back to TV!

Posted on September 4, 2014 at 8:00 am

ABC will be airing a tribute to the classic educational series “Schoolhouse Rock” on September 7. Now parents can sing along to “I’m Just a Bill” and “Conjunction Junction” and share with their kids these delightful and remarkably informative gems.

Victoria Miller wrote for The Examiner:

According to CNN, the man behind the show’s iconic soundtrack was jazz pianist and vocalist Bob Dorough, who was approached in 1971 by a New York advertising exec whose sons could not multiply. After setting the multiplication tables to music with the song “Three’s a Magic Number,” the musician knew he had a hit.

Last year, Dorough, who is now 90, said he still performs and still gets requests from adults to sing some of the “Schoolhouse Rock” bits when they recognize his voice.

Yes, Handwriting Still Matters — Here’s How to Teach Kids Cursive

Posted on August 23, 2014 at 1:51 pm

Schools are eliminating curricula to teach cursive writing, based on the assumption that what matters is keyboarding skills. But studies show that writing by hand helps you process and learn more effectively. It is important for fine motor skills as well. This charming book has illustrations on each page to keep kids interested and help them with their reading skills as well.

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Books Early Readers Elementary School