Dog Training Tips from the Space Buddies Trainer
Posted on February 3, 2009 at 4:00 pm
The Space Buddies on-set dog trainer, Nicole Zuehl provides a step-by-step guide for teaching your puppy the basics of good behavior.
Return of ”The Electric Company’
Posted on January 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Hey you guys! The classic 1970’s show The Electric Company taught a generation of kids how to take the letters they learned on “Sesame Street” and turn them into words and sentences. The superstar cast included Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, and Bill Cosby. Zero Mostel, Joan Rivers and Gene Wilder worked with animation pioneers John and Faith Hubley on the “Letterman” segments.
Now endearingly retro, the original disco-era series is available on DVD. And it has just been updated with a whole new series featuring beat-boxers, hip-hoppers, and record-scratchers, but still teaching kids about the power of the “silent e.” It also has some very good lessons about problem-solving and asking questions to discover the truth. In this version, The Electric Company is a group of people with special word skills who work together to foil a group of mischief-makers called the Pranksters. No Broadway or television stars in the cast, but it does have some Tony-award talent behind the scenes and some guest appearances by kid-friendly celebrities like Tiki Barber. It’s aimed at children from 6-9 and its bright, bouncy, and colorful characters and situations will keep them entertained and inspired about the power of words. And they still yell, “Hey, you GUUUUYYYYS!”
Contest: Win Your Own Space Buddies!
Posted on January 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Adorable Golden Retriever puppies Rosebud, Buddha, Budderball, B-Dawg, and Mudbud return in Space Buddies
Win a Space Buddies
Or enter to win a set of Space Buddies plush toys! The first three people to send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Space Buddies toys” in the subject line will win these adorable little guys.
(One prize per household. Good luck to all!)
The History Channel Presents The Presidents
Posted on January 19, 2009 at 10:00 am
B+| Lowest Recommended Age: | Middle School |
| MPAA Rating: | NR |
| Profanity: | None |
| Alcohol/ Drugs: | Some references |
| Violence/ Scariness: | References to war and assassination |
| Diversity Issues: | A theme of the series |
| Date Released to Theaters: | 2005 |
| Date Released to DVD: | 2005 |
| Amazon.com ASIN: | B0007VY3ZK |
This week we observe one of the great strengths of the system created by the founding fathers, the orderly transition to a new administration. In honor of the outgoing and incoming Presidents of the United States, take a look at this eight-part series from the History Channel about the Presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush, their careers and their lives, their triumphs and their disappointments.
KidThing — Stories, Games, and Educational Content for Kids
Posted on January 17, 2009 at 8:00 am
Kidthing is a safe and secure place to find games and educational content for children.
Kidthing recently won The National Parenting Center’s 2009 Seal of Approval and has been selected to be the sole digital distribution partner for the National Education Association’s Read Across America 2008-09 resource calendar and guide. As part of this award-winning literacy program, Kidthing offers teachers a free digital download of select titles featured in NEA’s Read Across America calendar for use in the classroom each month.
It is is the first and only free digital media player made just for kids. It was created by parents to give kids a safe place to play and learn online away from web browsers and ads. After you download the free software you can select from an online store that has carefully selected and parent-approved digital animated books, interactive games, activities and videos. The downloads start at under a dollar and can be played even when the computer is not online. Kids can enjoy it away from home or in the car.
I was pleased to see that they now feature stories read aloud by Mrs. P, played by actress Kathy Kinney, who invites children to use their imaginations while she reads classic stories beside the crackling fire in her virtual library. She tells classics like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pea, The Frog Prince and The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin.
It’s just getting started, but it seems to be very thoughtfully designed, with excellent content and a refreshing absence of ads. Definitely worth a look for any family with school-age children.