Talking Math Mat Challenge Game
Learning Resources
What do you do when you just can't get your kids to stand still and do their math? Have you ever asked this question? If so, have we got an educational toy for you. This interactive talking mat will have your kids begging for more math, really! There are rapid fire quizzes that actually make learning math fun. Kids listen to the equation, then step on the right answer. That's all there is to it. As kids show proficiency the game speeds up and their scores go higher, which is all our testers needed for motivation. Jumping around doing math with their feet was pretty fun too. There are six different games including counting, addition and subtraction.
Gears, Gears, Gears: Under the Sea Building
Set
Learning Resources
One of our very favorite building toys is back. This newly designed version of interconnecting gears, the same one's that have won multiple Seals of Approval in years past, knocked our testers socks off once again. Capturing the same whimsical idea of colorful freeform construction, this set features creatures from under the sea that whirl and dance when your child's contraption is ready for spinning. While the play is great fun, the concepts of spatial and physical relationships are hard at work here. It is great fun to watch children grasp and then manipulate their creations.
The Young Scientists Club
The Young Scientists Club, LLC
Hands on experimentation with a broad assortment of scientific disciplines is the basis of this subscription based series. Like clockwork subscribers will receive a kit featuring materials and lesson plans for a variety of experiments in an area such as electricity, the human body, weather, fossils and more. The pages are designed to be kept in a binder for future reference and re-use. Kids will be excited and thrilled to find their "science in a box" package each month. What better way to instill a sense of excitement and enthusiasm for a core element of the learning process.
Suggested Age: 4 to 12 Retail Price: $15.94
Talking Clever Clock
Learning Resources
Filled with features to help your little one learn time telling skills this very clever toy was a real favorite. Learning how to tell time is a skill that children find very empowering. "It is not my bedtime!" With it's big, bold design and movable hands there is a great deal of interactivity here. There are learning games in both digital and analog time formats. Kids loved being tested and enjoyed the audible rewards of getting answers right. All the concepts of time are represented here, giving you the whole package when it comes to teaching how to read a clock.
Math Practice at Home Grades K to 4
Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
This series of at-home or in-class practice sheet books is very well done in both its presentation and the material it covers. Featuring well-designed, grade level appropriate concepts, this book series meets current math standards. According to our testers, parents and teachers alike, these books are should effectively reinforce skills already being taught and hopefully learned in schools. Additionally it will surely help kids who need a little extra practice. The pull out page flash cards in the back of each book are also a nice addition, for at home testing.
Practice & Learn - Ages 7 to 9 & Ages 9 to
11
Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
Just about every student can use a little reinforcement of lessons learned in school. Teacher Created has made it their business to provide products that address that need. Based on widely acknowledged levels of age based curriculum, these books are filled with practice sheets on a variety of subjects from math and reading to writing, science, grammar and more. Teachers have told us for years about the benefits of providing a steady diet of exposure to class lessons and exercise drills when it comes to test time. If a parent chooses to use these books at home for either additional skill building, or if they are involved in home schooling, they will appreciate having these worksheets at their disposal. Each book is broken down by category for easy reference. The pages are full sized so students don't need to squint or size down their writing. These books represent two more titles in this terrific series of academically supportive material.
Quantum Pad Learning System
Leapfrog Enterprises
The remarkable success story of the Leap Pad series is built upon further with the Quantum Pad. The touch pen technology jumps ahead to a new age group with books and games that are more challenging than previous versions which were aimed at a more juvenile audience. The Quantum Pad has a strong Internet support presence, so that there is always new content to upload using the optional Mind Link cartridges. There's no denying that Leapfrog has a winning combination of features that are engaging, entertaining and educational. The kids really loved testing their knowledge about presidents and geography and learning along the way.
Spotlight on Science: Space Lab Kit
Learning Resources
The Spotlight on Science series is no stranger to the Seal of Approval and this version, featuring a hands-on exploration of space concepts gives Learning Resources another winner. This science kit contains instructions for conducting 24 different experiments based on space-related topics. You'll find experiments on the solar system, constellations, space observations and more. The exercises are easy to understand, thanks to the very well written project cards. The experiments themselves are varied and interesting, and in most cases can be repeated over and over. Got a science project coming up?
For more information about The Seal of Approval or The National Parenting Center call: 1-800-753-6667