Holiday 1999
Seal of Approval
Product Testing Report
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Exploring
Nature
Teacher Created
Materials, Inc.
This project idea book is so filled with ideas for great
activities for parents or teachers to do with kids that its a wonder they
managed to pack it all into 160 pages. Loaded
with ideas that can fill entire days with great outdoor activities there are,
among many others, wonderful suggestions for day trips.
There are terrific projects such as building a worm house or making
rainbow shadows that were fun and easy to do.
The projects help to bring nature home to children and aid in giving them
a greater understanding of the world around them.
Recommended Age: 3 to 8 Price: $12.95
Teacher Created
Materials, Inc.
Whether you are a parent looking for fun projects you can
do together with your children or a professional who works with kids this book
is a great resource. There are
loads of seasonal and simple educational projects that you will be proud of at
the end of the day. Our testers
told us wonderful tales of their "Fun With Smells" project, another
that we heard about were "Doghouse Math" which featured a great use of
visual learning for reinforcing math concepts.
Recommended Age: 5 and Up Price: $12.95
Rainy
Day Fun
Teacher Created
Materials, Inc.
Is the weather yucky?
Are your kids feeling cooped up and getting stir crazy?
Are you? Here is a book that
is chock full of boredom busting activities that'll have you all looking forward
to the next thundershower. Craft
projects that utilize things you probably already have in the house will have
you designing super keepsakes. The
desk organizers we made came out great and will be part of our offices for a
long time.
Recommended Age: 5 and Up Price: $12.95
Teacher Created
Materials, Inc.
Simple Gardening Fun is chock-full of original and
creative gardening ideas and crafts. If
your child has a green thumb, or if you do and you want to share the passion you
have for the feel of earth between your fingers, this book will be there as a
creative partner with ideas for planting and caring for fruits, vegetables and
of course, beautiful flowers. The
projects are well designed and when done together can provide you with hours of
superb, dirty fingernail fun
Recommended Age: 5 and Up Price: $12.95
Hooray
for the USA!
Teacher Created
Materials, Inc.
The United States is filled with so many remarkable and
memorable things that we often take it for granted.
This book celebrates the USA and gives parents and teachers great ideas
for bringing an appreciation of our nation home to our children.
From famous landmarks and historical figures to uniquely American music
and art, you will find projects and activities that will leave a lasting
impression on you all
Recommended Age: 7 and Up Price: $12.95
Boys Town Press
Last year Boys Town Press published the superb,
award-winning book and audiotape Common Sense Parenting.
The original book featured common sense tips and ideas presented in an
easy to read and listen to format. The
Learn-At-Home Video Kit includes a VHS tape that offers additional, visual
support for their parenting techniques. There
are scenes that depict several situations that many parents must face especially
as their children reach adolescence. Also
included is a well-produced exercise book that supports the program as well.
What makes this whole program such a great resource for parents is that
it is easy to follow. The approach
is very straightforward and with the addition of the video, which lets you feel
like you are sitting in on a training class, parents felt empowered after using
it
Price: $79.99
Beyond
the Bus Stop
Heinemann
This wonderful little book is filled with practical ideas
that you will be anxious to try out with your child.
Designed to help your child succeed in school there are tips for helping
them feel good about themselves and their unique abilities.
There are ideas that let them learn as they play and suggestions for
working through problem areas. If
your child needs some work or study tips there are some truly great pearls of
wisdom here. The book is very
reader-friendly with short, easy to read and understand ideas, which parents
really appreciated.
Price: $11.95
Brilliant
Beginnings
The toddler years are exciting for both you and your baby.
Brilliant Beginnings offers parents tips and techniques that invite
shared growth activities. With a
well designed system that includes a guidebook, a musical CD and even a pop-up
book this program helps you share enriching activities.
The featured activities include language development games, as well as
skill building tools that are designed to establish strong intellectual and
emotional growth. The kit is filled
with ideas that parents, who choose to, can immerse themselves in taking part in
their child's every day exploration of the world around them.
Price: $39.95
Baby
Brain Basics - Parent Kit: Birth to 12 Months
If you are a parent who is anxious to explore all the
wonders and abilities of your new baby, then Brilliant Beginnings will provide
you with all the tools and techniques to celebrate the possibilities.
Inside the boxed set you will find a wonderfully laid out guidebook that
is filled to the brim with information about the stages of growth your baby is
experiencing. Our testers loved the
Ages and Stages section that offered great ideas for sharing activities for you
and your baby. There is a photo
album and a music CD that features a diverse grouping of musical styles that are
stimulating and pleasing. There is
also a toy buying guide that identifies age appropriate products.
This is an extremely well produced and well-designed product
Price: $39.95
Sign with your Baby
Northlight
Communications
The concept of signing as a communication method has often
been thought of as being solely for deaf or hearing impaired people.
Signing with your baby is a revolutionary method that thoroughly
impressed our testers with its design for teaching communication techniques for
young children who are not speaking yet. Even
if you just peruse the system and watch the video you will find something that
can enhance your ability to connect with your child.
Signing can be fun and helpful when it comes to routine concepts such as
food, bath, bed, bottle, etc. The
idea of personalizing the system to your own family situation, where specific
signs might mean mom or sister, really hit the mark with our evaluators.
Recommended Age: Parents
with Children aged 6 mos. to 2 yrs.
Price: $49.95
Or, for more information about The Seal of Approval or The National Parenting Center call: 1-800-753-6667
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Last Update: November 12, 1999