So my husband and I are computer geeks. I suppose we're not really 'geeks', it depends on the person you ask! What do we do in our spare time? Turn on the television? No, generally we plop in front of our computers - which means our kids have been in front of them since day one.
Or at least day three or four, whenever I came home from the hospital and immediatly got online to post photo's of our kiddo's!
That being said, our kids have already had a variety of computer games, and yes, I do limit game time and we have way more fun at the park than in front of a computer. However, if you haven't heard about PBS Play, I recommend you check it out!
Obviously PBS is a place we all know and mostly love. I have memories of watching Mr. Rogers, Seseme Street, etc. Now days when it comes to PBS, the kids have much more variety. Curious George, Sid the Science Kid, and of course the classics - Seseme Street. PBS Kids Online was already a trusted website that my kids enjoyed, then one day my four year old was playing a game I'd never seen before.
PBS Play has games that are based off of 25 different structured areas. It monitors what your kids play (and even allows you to set the time limits so they can't go over!) and then it charts it for you to be able to see. It allows you to see what your kids really enjoy and you can intetgrate that into your day to day activites (if you so choose).
Not only does it have the progress chart for you, but it also offers your kids higher level games as they progress in a subject. Both of my older children play it. They love "following" the other one around (they look at each others computer screen and choose which game they'll play based off of the other child). Sometimes they even work together to help problem solve!
So check it out, get your free play time out of it,and if you can, grab it while it's still on sale! There's a $30 dollar off (for a years subscription) deal going on right now. Don't get me wrong, there's a ton of great free games for your kids, but none of them give the parents the tools that this one does to really see what your child is doing developmentally. It gets 5 stars out of me, that's for sure!
written by : Amy Gaerlan November 23 2009
Rediscover reading your favorite children books by sharing them with your children!
Got a favorite book you'd like to share? Leave a comment!
Little House on the Prairie
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This has to be one of my favorite childhood books revisited!
Every morning, while my daughter enjoys her breakfast (an tries to wake up for the day!), we enjoy the "Little House on the Praire" series. Right now, we're reading, "By the Shores of Silver Lake."
I love to read these childhood clssics! Re-living my own younger days, an dnow I get to share the adventures with my own daughter. It's a wonerful way to start the morning while sharing some quality time together.
Reading to our kids at every age is so IMPORTANT! Though it's not always so easy to cuddle up with our chilren like we did as toddlers, it's important to remember that they're still learning from us every step of the way. Books like Little House - that hold memories from our childhood - create a way to connect with our kids in a wonderful way. So rack your brains, try to remember your favorite classic story and relive it while sharing it with your child!
written by : Lynn Samuels November 16 2009
Beefy's First Lesson
by Juandell Brunner
Beefy is the youngest in his family, and has been anxiously waiting for the day when his parents say it's his turn to start his tennis lessons.
All of Beefy's family enjoy tennis, and he was told that when he was 6 he would finally get to join in! His excitement starts at the beginning of the morning - so much so he almost forgets to brush his teeth!
However, Beefy has to use his patience to learn some of the rules that his coach sets out. His patience pays off at the end of the day when he manages to do his first forehand!
This book is special to my family because the author is a dear family friend. Juandell use to play on a semi-pro tennis team, but now enjoys teaching junior tennis players in Finland. Beefy's First Lesson is a sweet family story that you'll be sure to enjoy. Maybe you'll feel like getting up and knocking a ball around after reading it!
written by : Amy Gaerlan October 8 2009
One Bear, One Dog
by Paul Stickland
I bought this board book at Target 2 years ago for my then 2 year old son, Conner. It was $14.99, and I wasn't sure it was worth it, but he was drawn to it, so home it came. Since then, we've probably read One Bear, One Dog over 400 times. With its bright colorful pictures, sturdy pages, and simplistic large-print words, it quickly became one of his favorites. For a while, I read it to him at bed time a couple of times a week. For the last several months, he's read it to me at bed time every night, and he shows no signs of stopping.
One bear, one dog, one mouse, one frog, one kitten, one goose, one monkey, one moose...
He's so proud that he knows the words. His little face just beams. Sometimes, if he's feeling extra silly, he'll replace the words with silly ones, and try to supress giggles while he waits for my reaction.
One hat, one orange, one car, one green bean, one crayon, one flower, one computer, one grasshopper...
The icing on the cake: This wonderful, durable, read has a child-safe mirror on the last page, so your child gets to see themselves on the last page every time.
If you have a toddler, and you don't have this book already, you should get it. It's worth every penny.
written by : Stacie Petersen October 9 2009