"Young Minds - Numbers and Counting" teaches young children how to count from 1 to 10 by way of visually counting objects on the screen in an interactive manner. he entire production is set to classical music from Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi and other classical composers. The objects counted on the screen include animals, machines, fruits, vegetables and scenes from nature. "Our DVD has substantially more educational value than other DVDs marketed to this age segment. In addition to numbers, our DVD also teaches animal sounds, colors, and much more," Jason Gibson, owner of Math Tutor DVD, told TDmonthly. This DVD has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Top 100 Best Products 2009; 2009 Dr. Toy Top 10 Best Audio-Video Products 2009; Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) 2009; iParenting Media 2009; Creative Child Magazine Top Choice Award 2009; Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence 2009; and "The Toy Man" Award 2009. Launch date: July 21, 2009. 11/17/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
"Up Down & All Around" is a creative movement/exercise DVD for people of all ages and abilities. The DVD provides resources to develop gross motor skills, spatial awareness, strength and balance. It’s designed to be easy to follow, easy to do, and encourage adult-child interactions. "It was designed specifically to be utilized by educators and parents to do with their students and children. ... each of the eight sections of the DVD begin with bulleted objectives. There is also a detailed movement guide ... [that] explains how to do each section of the program in depth, what kinesthetic skills are being addressed, as well as offers fun variations to the exercises. This is a comprehensive program that will help schools and communities meet the National Physical Education Standards as well combat the obesity epidemic," Stacey Pepper Schwartz, founder of Leaping Legs Creative Movement Programs, told TDmonthly. The DVD was awarded Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Active Products 2009 and Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children’s Products 2009. Launch date: December 21, 2008. 11/17/2009 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This add-on kit includes nine colored, durable magnets that can be used with the Every Day Kits or other sets. It could make an educational gift for homeschooling, help get kids organized and into routine, aid kids learning English, and help children with special needs. "This teacher-created product arose because of parent requests for a daily schedule like the one in my classroom," Elaine Comeau, founder of Easy Daysies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2009. 11/17/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This kit includes nine colored, durable magnets (perfect for little hands) that can be used on a fridge or on Easy Daysies Fold-&-Go. Some of the magnets in this set include Feed Pet, Clean Bedroom, Help Set Table, Walk the Dog, and two blank magnets to fill in for tasks like "Sitting Still and Eating Dinner," "Do Homework", etc.) Individuals can use a dry erase marker to check the white boxes below the task their child completes and reward him or her when all six boxes are checked. It can be used alone or mixed and matched with other Easy Daysies kits. It can be used from ages 2 1/2 and up since the pictures themselves are explanatory. Launch date: November 2009. 11/17/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This magnetic daily schedule for kids consists of 18 durable, kid-friendly magnets and a fold-&-go magnetic board that kids can take anywhere. Grandparents and babysitters can easily know a child's daily routine. It can be personalized with a dry erase marker. Users can place magnets down the middle or use the "To Do" and "Done" columns for a reward system. The back stores unused magnets. This mom/teacher-created product is made in Canada of 70-percent recycled materials. Individuals can mix and match from nine different kits to create a family's or classroom's perfect routine. "A daily visual schedule helps children become more successful and independent all because they feel safe and confident knowing what is happening next! Wonderful for helping preschoolers or kids of any age, and children with special needs, with event transition," Elaine Comeau, founder of Easy Daysies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009. 11/17/2009 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Created by Dr. Jen, a pediatrician with two sets of twins, the U-Play Mat is a "U" shaped floor mat with 15 clear pockets, 240 theme-based card decks, a tote bag and an instruction manual. Children ages 1 to 4 can work on language and communication development engaging with the caregiver in 10 exercises per card deck. The child sits inside the U, which is designed to promote physical acvitity, social skills and enhancement of language development. The U-Play Mat is a "pediatrician-invented, low-tech, interactive, unique educational toy for language development," Dr. Jennifer Canter, CEO of Play This Way Every Day, told TDmonthly. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's Top 10 Active Products 2009. Launch date: September 30, 2009. 11/17/2009 (Price: $85) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Unicorns are mythical and legendary animals depicted as a beautiful horse with a single strong horn on the forehead and split hooves. Safari has recreated this elusive creature in all its wonderment, with roses in her mane. It is painted by hand and phthalate free. Educational information is in five languages, included for the delight of children and adults alike. Launch date: 2009. 11/13/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
With this DVD full of colorful, scenic imagery, children learn about fall and winter, including features such as harvest, apples and animal activity. The DVD includes a Spanish vocabulary game as well as a game that helps develop image recognition. The accompanying activity book includes lessons to teach addition and graphing, and even instructions for making applesauce. 11/12/2009 (Price: $25.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Nylon Pizza Cutter from Curious Chef is designed as a safe and fun kitchen utensil for cutting pizza. "The Pizza Cutter is made of nylon, which is hard enaough to cut pizza, but not skin! Also, the design is very compelling, since it features a unique guard that will keep fingers from [the] blade and soft touch button grips," Cristina Villa, account executive at JB Cumberland PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 11/11/2009 (Price: $3.39) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Rolling Pin by Curious Chef is designed specifically for kids' small hands, has ergonomic handles and non stick surface. "Its diameter is the same as a regular one, so that it's highly functional, while being cute and safe. The only difference is that it's shorter and with ergonomic handles," Cristina Villa, account executive at JB Cumberland PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 11/11/2009 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Designed for ages 18 months and up, this DVD features three puppet characters, Oüm, Mimi and Coco, who present to toddlers sensory lessons in three different sessions that also involve scenes with kids and animals. Session 1 consists of a statue game and dance, a nursery rhyme about the senses, and rhythm; Session 2 covers intensity of sounds, identification of body parts, tempo, and high and low pitches; and Session 3 goes over a nursery rhyme with mime, pretending to be a growing plant, and animal imitations. 11/9/2009 (Price: $17.97) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The U-Play Mat is a U-shaped mat with 15 clear pockets on its surface. The mat is 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. The innovative "U" shape allows the child to sit inside the opening of the "U" with full access to the 15 pockets. The child has full visual and tactile access to the whole surface, without having to crawl atop the mat. Child-safe see-through pockets allow fifteen theme-based cards to be secured to the mat surface. This patent pending design allows for the caregiver to sit across and engage the child in a variety of exercises using the adorable theme-based card decks. The pockets are designed to be slightly larger than the cards, allowing for the cards to be placed and removed easily. The Professional Edition is recommended for the two to five year old child at home or for the professional (speech therapist, teacher, etc.) working with children of any age or ability. This includes all of the eight available card decks for a total of 240 cards. Includes U-Play Mat, Tote, U-Animals Card Deck, U-Foods Card Deck, U-Fruits and Vegetables Card Deck, U-Go Card Deck, U-Home Card Deck, U-Dress Card Deck, U-Outside Card Deck, and U-Play Card Deck. 11/9/2009 (Price: $84.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The U-Play Mat is a U-shaped mat with 15 clear pockets on its surface. The mat is 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. The innovative "U" shape allows the child to sit inside the opening of the "U" with full access to the 15 pockets. The child has full visual and tactile access to the whole surface, without having to crawl atop the mat. Child-safe see-through pockets allow fifteen theme-based cards to be secured to the mat surface. This patent pending design allows for the caregiver to sit across and engage the child in a variety of exercises using the adorable theme-based card decks. The pockets are designed to be slightly larger than the cards, allowing for the cards to be placed and removed easily. This set is recommended for at-home use, especially with the one to two year old child just starting to use the U-Play Mat. Includes: U-Play Mat, Tote, U-Animals Card Deck, and U-Foods Card Deck. 11/9/2009 (Price: $49.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This inflatable globe from Castle Toy is available in blue or clear, and offers a fun way for kids to learn about their world. — This globe has been a consistent best seller for the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 11/9/2009 (Price: $3.75) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
A variety of placemats are available from Castle Toy, including themes such as addition, alphabet with animals, bugs and insects, ocean, and the solar system. — Placemats by Castle Toy have been best sellers over the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., according to Owner Kimberly Kopatz in fall 2009. 11/9/2009 (Price: $3.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This 11" x 9" reusable chart allows parents to leave important details for their babysitter. There are data fields for contact and emergency numbers, the parents' location, allergies, schedule and much more. The dry-erase surface allows for quick fixes, and the chart is equipped with a magnetic strip and hang tags on the back. Launch date: Fall 2009. 11/6/2009 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Goal Bands Game features karate belts turned into six wristbands and used as a simple reward/reminder system that encourages the achievement of behavioral goals. Goals are chosen, daily, by GBG participants and the wristbands are exchanged, in karate belt order, after each days' success until the black wristband is reached, ideally, at the end of the week. The idea is for GBG participants to become goal oriented and able to supercharge their inner stregths for a lifetime of great achievements. "The Goal Bands Game is both visual and tactile, has a broad appeal, a mutitude of uses, is as simple to use as putting on a bracelet, and works for virtually anyone of any age to encourage personal growth and the achievement of great individual, or group, goals," James Mentzer, president of Black Belt Goals Inc., told TDmonthly. This game received a 2009 Dr. Toy 10 Best Socially Responsible Products award and was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products. Launch date: 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The idea behind the Thumball is to "Toss It, Catch It, React to the concept under your thumb!" The Ice Breaker version is designed to get everyone talking, as they learn about themselves and others. Launch date: March 3, 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Suitable for ages 3 months to 8 years, this album features 26 tunes and jingles to help kids learn phonics and the letters of the alphabet. 11/4/2009 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Most Fact Pack collectible card sets include six unique cards, six colored pencils, 36 fun facts, six blue ribbon stickers, a pencil sharpener and a plastic travel case. The product is made in the USA and, through various subjects that are available, is designed to help children learn interesting facts about animals, holidays, music, states and more. 11/3/2009 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The 300-piece Citiblocs set is a hefty way to get the enthusiastic builder started building simple, medium-sized and complex structures. The Citiblocs 300-piece set is designed to keep the enthusiastic builder flexing his or her imagination while developing fine motor skills. Expansion is possible via the other available Citiblocs sets. All Citiblocs Wooden Building Sets are compatible and interchangeable with each other. Citiblocs has received multiple awards, including Dr. Toy's 100 Best Products for Children, a NAPPA award, and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal award. 11/3/2009 (Price: $80.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Mark-My-Time™ Digital Bookmark Bulk Single Color Packs contain 21 digital bookmarks in single colors, your choice of: neon blue, purple, green or bright yellow, pink or red. 11/2/2009 (Price: $187.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This patent-pending kit of nearly 1,000 beads features various colors that each represent a letter, number and space, so that kids can create bracelets and other accessories with their own secret messages to be decoded. The kit also includes 15 yards of elastic plus 20 decoder cards with instructions. About 15 customized Bead the Message beads are provided to represent the beginning of a message project. 10/30/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Risas y Sonrisas (which is Spanish for "Laughter and Smiles") is a Spanish Program for kids that makes teaching and learning Spanish enjoyable. The Student Book includes an interactive CD-ROM and a Skits DVD. The interactive CD-ROM is the voice of the book. It is divided into five areas: Pronunciation, Songs, Vocabulary, Q&A, and Verb Conjugations. The Skits DVD incorporates vocabulary and Q&A learned in each chapter with subtitles to read and repeat whenever necessary. Vocabulary Units are illustrated in the same order as the Songs. They have Q&A of high frequency to use in conversations, a skit and a cultural point at the end of each chapter. This audiovisual presentation helps young and older students learn at their own pace. Everything learned with the classroom program is included in the student book to practice at home. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. 10/30/2009 (Price: $45.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The weePOD® toilet trainer provides an adjustable, cushiony seat for toddlers, with a secure and easy to use design for parents. It is available in green, blue and pink. Launch date: October 2009. 10/29/2009 (Price: $33) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
