homelife101 » Learning & Exploration http://homelife101.com Products, tips and simple solutions for family and home Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:44:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 LeapFrog Tag Reading System http://homelife101.com/leapfrog-tag-reading-system/ http://homelife101.com/leapfrog-tag-reading-system/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:00:04 +0000 homelife101 http://coolkidstoysandgifts.com/?p=193 LeapFrog Tag Reading SystemLearning to read is even more fun with The LeapFrog Tag Reading System. It brings reading to life like never before. Children simply touch the Tag Reader (which looks like an electronic pen) to the book’s pages, and words talk, characters sing and stories fly off the pages. With a huge library of hardcover books and games including favorite [...]]]> Learning to read is even more funLeapFrog Tag Reading System with The LeapFrog Tag Reading System. It brings reading to life like never before. Children simply touch the Tag Reader (which looks like an electronic pen) to the book’s pages, and words talk, characters sing and stories fly off the pages.

With a huge library of hardcover books and games including favorite TV, movie and classic tales, each Tag Book allows children to learn at their own pace, building their skills and their confidence. Includes Tag Reader, plus the “Ozzie and Mack” Book; additional Tag Books sold separately. Tag Reader requires two “AAA” batteries, not included.

LeapFrog Tag Reading System features:

  • The Tag library includes over 20 books and games featuring characters from TV, movies and classic tales.
  • Tag storybooks and learning activities help children build vocabulary and reading skills such as word recognition, reading comprehension and phonics skills.
  • Children learn to read through an exciting and interactive experience in which they can also earn online rewards.
  • Parents can connect the Tag Reader to the online LeapFrog Learning Path to see what their child is learning, and explore ways to expand their child’s learning journey.

]]> http://homelife101.com/leapfrog-tag-reading-system/feed/ 0 Melissa and Doug See and Spell http://homelife101.com/melissa-and-doug-see-and-spell/ http://homelife101.com/melissa-and-doug-see-and-spell/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:00:01 +0000 homelife101 http://coolkidstoysandgifts.com/?p=171 Melissa & Doug Deluxe See and SpelllThe Melissa and Doug See and Spell makes learning how to spell fun! Place the colorful wooden letters in their proper places to spell words on the cut out two-sided wooden boards. Includes 20 playful pictures with three and four letter words to keep learning fun. Includes over 70 letters. Colorful letters Learn spelling skills [...]]]> Melissa & Doug Deluxe See and SpelllThe Melissa and Doug See and Spell makes learning how to spell fun! Place the colorful wooden letters in their proper places to spell words on the cut out two-sided wooden boards.

Includes 20 playful pictures with three and four letter words to keep learning fun. Includes over 70 letters.

  • Colorful letters
  • Learn spelling skills

Recommended age: 4 to 7 years

]]> http://homelife101.com/melissa-and-doug-see-and-spell/feed/ 0 How to Select Puzzles for your Toddler http://homelife101.com/how-to-select-puzzles-for-your-toddler/ http://homelife101.com/how-to-select-puzzles-for-your-toddler/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:00:34 +0000 homelife101 http://coolkidstoysandgifts.com/?p=59 Melissa & Doug Farm Friends 32 piece puzzlePuzzles are a great way to educate and entertain your kids. If you get your kids started on puzzles while they are young they will build up an appreciation for them as they get older. Here are some ideas to help you select fun puzzles your toddler will love. Start with simple puzzles and build [...]]]> Melissa & Doug Farm Friends 32 piece puzzlePuzzles are a great way to educate and entertain your kids. If you get your kids started on puzzles while they are young they will build up an appreciation for them as they get older. Here are some ideas to help you select fun puzzles your toddler will love.

Start with simple puzzles and build up to more complex. Peg Puzzles and wooden puzzles with knobs are great first puzzles for toddlers. Look for chunky puzzles with large, easy to grasp pieces. Make sure the puzzle includes matching pictures painted on the puzzle pieces and the puzzle board. Avoid giving toddlers puzzles with small pieces since this can be a choking hazard.

Search for puzzles with various colors and textures. In addition to wooden puzzles, try cardboard puzzles and soft mat puzzles. You can find large alphabet and number floor puzzles that are also great for playing games. For instance, after you and your child put the puzzle together, sing the alphabet as he or she jumps from square to square. This is a great puzzle and since it includes both numbers and letters, it’s really two puzzles in one.

Look for ways to build confidence in your toddler. Work with them to complete a puzzle then start to coach them through putting a puzzle together on their own. You can help by pointing out colors, shapes, or anything else that will allow your toddler to identify the missing pieces.

Here are some simple ways to keep puzzles organized.

  • Use a single wire storage case for peg puzzles.
  • Keep the original packaging of cardboard puzzles and stack them on top of one another.
  • If you lose the original packaging for the puzzle, use a plastic zip bag to hold the pieces. 

Puzzles are also a great way to keep your toddler entertained while visiting friends and family. Just bring them along with you and allow others to join in the fun!

]]> http://homelife101.com/how-to-select-puzzles-for-your-toddler/feed/ 0 Baby Einstein Videos http://homelife101.com/baby-einstein-videos-educational-fun-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers/ http://homelife101.com/baby-einstein-videos-educational-fun-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:46 +0000 homelife101 http://coolkidstoysandgifts.com/?p=28 Baby Einstein Baby Newton Fun with Shapes, Baby Einstein videosMy daughter is very articulate for her age (3) and I think it has a lot to do with Baby Einstein Videos. I believe that watching the educational kids videos has helped to improve her vocabulary and awareness of her environment. My mom would play Baby Einstein videos for her during the day while my [...]]]> Baby Einstein Baby Newton Fun with Shapes, Baby Einstein videosMy daughter is very articulate for her age (3) and I think it has a lot to do with Baby Einstein Videos. I believe that watching the educational kids videos has helped to improve her vocabulary and awareness of her environment.

My mom would play Baby Einstein videos for her during the day while my husband and I worked. She watched the videos with her and pointed shapes, colors and other objects on the television screen. I did the same whenever I watched Baby Einstein. Although she is a preschooler, she still requests the videos from time to time. I find it amazing how she clearly identifies things around the house, outdoors, etc. and describes items using complete sentences.

Almost everyone in our family is a fan of the videos so on her first birthday we purchased a Baby Einstein Cake  from Publix grocery store. 

We were also able to find Baby Einstein toothpaste with the lion she loves in the Baby Einstein video Baby Newton Fun with Shapes.

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