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Article Archive: Educational
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Parenting Approaches Continually Evolve, Reflecting Societal Changes And Emerging Research
Daughter: "Actually, I've been facing some challenges at school. Some friends have been pressuring me to start dating, even though I'm not sure I'm ready. They say things like, 'Everyone's doing it,' and it's making me feel left out and confused." Mother: "I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing that pressure. It's common for peers to influence each other, especially during the teenage years. However, it's important to make decisions that align with your own comfort levels and values. Remember, it's perfectly okay to wait until you feel ready. True friends will respect your choices and not pressure you into something you're uncomfortable with." Daughter: "I understand, but it's hard when they keep insisting. Sometimes, I worry they'll think I'm weird or antisocial if I don't go along with them." Mother: "I can see how that would be difficult. It's important to assert your boundaries confidently. You might say something like, 'I appreciate your concern, but I'm not ready to date right now.' Practicing such responses can help you feel more prepared in these situations. Also, consider spending time with friends who support your decisions and don't pressure you. Surrounding yourself with supportive peers can make a big difference." Daughter: "That makes sense. I guess I need to be more assertive about my boundaries. It's just challenging when everyone else seems to be doing it." Mother: "I understand. Remember, everyone develops at their own pace, and it's okay to be different. Making choices based on your own values and readiness is a sign of strength and self-respect. If you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to talk to me or another trusted adult. We're here to support you."...
12/1/2024
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Why Letting AI Do Your Homework Could Hurt Your Brainpower: An 11-Year-Old's Guide to Better Reading
Let's talk about why using AI for your reading homework might not be the best idea. Why Relying on AI Isn’t Great Think of it like this: if you always used a calculator for math, you’d get the answers, but you wouldn’t really learn how to do the math yourself. Reading is the same way! If AI does all the hard work for you, your brain doesn’t get the chance to practice understanding the story or figuring out tricky ideas...
12/1/2024
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Board Games 11/13/2024
Amazon.com: TOP SELLING BOARD GAMES LINK www.wargamer.com Halo Flashpoint might be the best ever gateway from board games to wargaming Halo Flashpoint has the 3D fun of miniature wargame battles, but comes in a one-box package that'll fit perfectly onto a board game shelf...
11/1/2024
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Top Toys
Here’s the toy lineup that’s ready to bring some serious fun to your shelves.These toys and sets are out now and are a blast for collectors and fans alike. From LEGO classics to imaginative adventures, there's something here for everyone. Ready to build, play, and relive the fun?...
11/1/2024
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"Vitamin P(lay)": A Holistic Approach to Child Development in the Toy Industry
"Vitamin P(lay)" is a toy industry trend that emphasizes holistic child development by integrating physical activity, creativity, emotional expression, and social interaction into playtime. This approach distinguishes itself from other healthy toy trends that may focus solely on specific aspects of well-being...
11/1/2024
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Empowering Play: How the 'Healthy Heroes' Trend is Shaping Child Development in 2025
The "Healthy Heroes" trend, anticipated to gain prominence in 2025, seeks to inspire children to adopt healthy habits—such as regular exercise, mindfulness, and nutritious eating—through engaging play. This initiative addresses growing concerns about children's sedentary lifestyles and excessive screen time, which can lead to long-term health issues. By integrating relaxation, meditation, and physical activity into play, "Healthy Heroes" aims to create a balanced experience that combines fun with well-being...
11/1/2024
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Toys In The News 11/18/2024
USPS USPS Operation Santa Launches Online Catalog Santa’s Gift Shoppe Powered by Toys“R”Us® WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is announcing the debut of an online e-commerce catalog for the fulfillment of gifts: Santa's Gift Shoppe, an online... ...
11/1/2024
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Top Board Game Hashtags and Market Trends for 2024
Amazon.com: TOP SELLING BOARD GAMES LINK <br /><br /> In a world where screens dominate our free time, board games provide a refreshing way to unplug, reconnect, and share meaningful moments. Board games have undergone a remarkable resurgence in recent years, combining traditional gameplay with innovative...
11/1/2024
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Revealed: How Swifties Are Getting Rich Cashing In
Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to Audio--> Picture this: transforming your Swiftie devotion into a full-fledged empire. Not just singing along in your bedroom, but building a bona fide business fueled by your passion for Taylor Swift. Sounds like a teenage dream, right?...
10/1/2024
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STEM and STEAM Toys 2024
Welcome to the TDmonthly STEM and STEAM Toys guide. Definition of STEM Toys: STEM toys are designed to be educational, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and engaging children through play. Examples of STEM Toys: chemistry kits, robots, building...
10/1/2024
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5 Must-Read Money Books for Teens That Will Make You Smarter (and Richer!)
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have it all figured out when it comes to money? Imagine having the skills to grow your allowance, budget for your dreams, and even make more money—all while you're still a teenager. Sound impossible? It’s not! Learning about personal finance early...
10/1/2024
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American Girl, Book 12/7/2022
"If you haven't gone through puberty yet, the doctor might offer medicine to delay your body's changes, giving you more time to think about your gender identity."...
12/1/2022
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Children and News 06/08/2022
We’re giving kids “climate anxiety” and it’s not necessary 'Let Them Talk,' WVU Researcher Says Adults Must Help Kids To Process School Shootings Gov. DeSantis exploring crackdown on drag shows for kids...
6/1/2022
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Toys in the News 05/23/2022
Severe hepatitis in kids: Theories emerge for cause of mysterious illness – National Mario Strikers: Battle League - So Much Fun It Hurts - Nintendo Switch The Guardian Should I...
5/1/2022
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VTech® announced the availability of KidiBuzz™ 3, a kid-friendly Wi-Fi smart device
VTech® announced the availability of KidiBuzz™ 3, a kid-friendly Wi-Fi smart device that allows children the ability to play games, capture images, listen to music and so much more. The latest addition to VTech's KidiTech lineup now offers the ability to stay connected with parents and other approved contacts through the new free KidiCom Chat™ app with video messaging and 3D screen effects...
12/1/2021
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Top Selling Toys and Family Items Dec 2021
If you've been searching for toy gifts that are high in demand, you may like our top picks. Warmies microwavable French Lavender Scented Elephant hugs, Multi, Medium Fully microwavable plush soft toy that meets all U.S. Safety standards...
12/1/2021
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Hasbro Completes Sale of eOne Music Business
Hasbro, Inc.announced that it has completed the sale of the Entertainment One Music business (“eOne Music”) for an aggregate purchase price of $385 million in cash to entities controlled by Blackstone, which also own SESAC, a leading music rights organization. As part of the transaction, Entertainment One Canada Limited sold the Canadian music division of Entertainment One...
7/1/2021
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Toys in the News 6/04/2021
are more_vert Vintage toys main draw at Happy Pappy’s Action Figure Extravaganza When Clifton Boggs' two children asked for toys, he didn't just buy some — he opened an entire store. “My kids wanted a toy shop,” he explained. The result is...
6/1/2021
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Toys in the News 05/04/2021
Activision has denied claims that Crash Bandicoot 4 studio Toys For Bob has suffered layoffs, and said it will continue to support the platformer alongside its new role on Call of Duty...
5/1/2021
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Hasbro Partners With Roblox to Bring Roblox Immersive Digital Worlds to Life
Global play and entertainment company Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) announced its official partnership with Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX), a global online platform bringing millions of people together through shared experiences, to introduce a range of Roblox inspired NERF blasters representing some of the most popular experiences on the Roblox platform. In addition, Hasbro has developed a Roblox version of its iconic MONOPOLY board game (MSRP: $19.99), which is available now for pre-order on Hasbro Pulse for fans aged 16 and older in the U.S. and Canada and at Big Bad Toy Shop...
4/1/2021
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Musical Toys Fastest Growing Sectors of the Toy Industry
Can music make your child smarter? Musical training does shape structural brain development. Long-term instrumental music training is an intense, multisensory, and motor experience and offers an ideal opportunity to study structural brain plasticity in the developing brain in correlation with behavioral changes induced by training...
2/1/2021
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Toys in the News 2/08/2021
A Furry Fix: How ‘Social Toys’ Can Help Kids Battle Illness and Anxiety (02/08/2021) But by the end of his junior year in 2011, Aaron Horowitz had designed his own major, mechatronics and user interaction design – essentially, how people play with robots – and had entered the world of...
2/1/2021
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Toys In The News 12/28/2020
Let your Kids be ‘Bored’ and ‘Figure it Out’. What’s better than having absolutely nothing to do in order to have the headspace to just sit, and brainstorm creative ways to solve the problem that is boredom?...
12/1/2020
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Mystery Box Collectables: Randomized Fun or Familiarizing Gambling Early?
Combining the psychology of gambling with popular intellectual property aimed at children has proven to be a major success for the toy makers. But do these businesses have any responsibility towards solving the issue? After all, for the most part children’s spending comes directly from their parents...
10/1/2020
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How Schools Can Reassure Students: Foster Safety and Security
• Begin with an underlying foundation of cultural competence, justice, and equity. Invite conversations with families to understand more about their heritage, their experiences, and their concerns. Review school policies, curricula, and protocol to reaffirm a just and equitable basis for learning. Advocate for re-distribution of resources and find partnerships...
9/1/2020
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Are iPads Replacing Children’s Toys? Part I
It seems that iPads and iPod touch’s are replacing toys more and more rapidly. The addictive nature of these electronic forms of media coupled with their interactive nature and rapidly increasing technology means that more and more children are asking their parents for iPads instead of Legos or Barbie Dolls...
8/1/2020
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Kid's Books We Like on Amazon May 2020
My Car Board Book Large Format Pirates Coloring Book Nature Friends Lift-a-Flap Boxed Set 4-Pack: Little Red Barn, Little Blue Boat, Little Green Frog, and Little Yellow Bee (Chunky Lift a Flap) 40 Favorite...
5/21/2020
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AHREN A. HOFFMAN JOINS ASTRA AS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
ROLE WILL EXPAND ASTRA’S PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN MEMBERS’ BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Chicago, Illinois (April 7, 2016)–Children’s play and adult education specialist Ahren A. Hoffman has joined ASTRA as Director of Education, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today. Hoffman will lead...
4/1/2016
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Top-10 Most-Wanted STEM Toys
These STEM toys will set kids up for success in their science, technology, engineering and math curriculum...
1/1/2016
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Top-10 Most Wanted Educational Toys
These educational toys help kids have fun while learning - and according to specialty retailers interviewed by TDmonthly, they're flying off store shelves...
12/1/2015
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Top-10 Most-Wanted STEM Toys
We love the current focus on STEM toys in the specialty market, and it looks like your customers like STEM toys too!...
2/1/2015
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 Yamie Chess Makes April Fool-Proof
Math phobias plague both kids and adults, and can even trigger areas of the brain associated with physical pain and instinctive risk reduction, according to a study from the University of Chicago...
4/1/2014
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 Yamie Chess Builds Kids' Brains
Developed by math and science educators and engineers from MIT and other top universities* in collaboration with Jennifer Shahade – two-time United States Chess Champion and Women's Grand Master, the new game Yamie Chess(R) meets kids 5 to 14 years at their own level, drawing them into an imaginary conflict between King Tigermore and the Mind Angels(R) and the King Vigdor and the Chromemunchers(TM) that is enacted on a chess board...
3/1/2014
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 Q&A with Debbie Sterling, creator of GoldieBlox
Stanford University-educated engineer Debbie Sterling was frustrated by how few women pursued careers in engineering. In a toy store, when she noticed a glaring lack of science and math-based toys made for girls, she knew it was a gap in the toy industry she was destined to fill...
2/1/2013
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 Top-10 Most-Wanted Educational Products and School Supplies
In a Fall 2012 survey about educational products and school supplies, specialty retailers told TDmonthly Magazine that Hot Dots from Educational Insights and BrainQuest from Workman Publishing were their top-2 best sellers in the category...
12/1/2012
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 Q&A With Julia Pimsleur Levine, creator of Little Pim
For Julia Pimsleur Levine, founder of LITTLE PIM, multilingualism has always been an important part of life. Daughter of the creator of the famous Pimsleur Method for learning foreign languages, Julia wanted to make sure her own child, and other kids, had the opportunity to learn a second language from a young age...
12/1/2012
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 Q & A: Global Game Changers
Jan and Rachel Helson are a mother-daughter team on a mission: they want to "Ignite Good" in kids from a young age...
11/1/2012
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 Q&A With CEO of Kent Displays/Improv Electronics
Dr. Albert Green, CEO of Kent Displays/Improv Electronics, spoke with TDmonthly Magazine about their product, the Boogie Board LCD eWriter. This year specialty retailers have named the Boogie Board a Top-10 Most-Wanted Tween Product, Top-10 Most-Wanted Novelty Toy, and a Top-10 Most-Wanted Travel Toy...
11/1/2012
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 Educational Toys That Promote Literacy
Reading is an essential tool for students as they move through school, and developing their literacy skills at home can be made easier with educational toys...
10/1/2012
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 Q&A w/ Neil Kay, Creator of Digi-Piggy®
Today's kids are digital natives growing up in a down economy. Cisco Sales Corp, creators of the Digi-Piggy®, recognized the unique need for a product that satisfied the modern child's digital aesthetics, while teaching them the increasingly important skill of saving money...
10/1/2012
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 Parents: Please Discipline Your Kids So We Don't Have To
Everyone knows about bullying; we all know what it looks like, with recent documentaries of bully behavior, and kids being driven to suicide. There are many of us who are fed up with it, and we are sick of parents sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring what their kids are doing...
9/1/2012
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 Q&A w/Yvette Garfield from Handstand Kids
Yvette Garfield, creator of Handstand Kids, recently spoke to TDmonthly Magazine about how she came up with the idea for her product, why she thinks cooking can bring the world together, and how her company reaches out to charitable organizations...
9/1/2012
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 11 Educational Toys For Summer Break
Just because school is over doesn't mean kids should turn off their brain. These informational, engaging products are so fun, kids won't even realize they're learning!...
6/1/2012
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 Retailers! You Can Give 100+ Specialty Toys to Your Local Schools!
TDmonthly's "2012: A Year of Charity" promotional program is ready for its next round! This time, Retailers, you'll be competing to give away 100+ top-quality educational toys to your local schools, Headstart programs and children's charities! Already, eight terrific manufacturers have signed up: b. dazzle, inc., FIND IT GAMES, EDUCATION OUTDOORS, MOVING PICTURE BOOKS, CROSSEN CREATIONS, AMAZING SCIENCE DVDs, UNCLE SKUNKLE and now PLAYMAIS!...
5/1/2012
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 Educational Toys
See these recently added specialty and mass market Educational toys...
1/1/2012
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 Auditory Toys For Children With Sensory Processing Disorders
The fundamental senses of seeing, tasting, hearing, smelling and feeling encourage a child’s curiosity and activate their young minds to discover the things around them. However, for many special needs children these senses may be absent or delayed...
11/1/2011
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 Has LeapFrog really come back?
From its first days of operations, the company knew nothing but steep market share increases until September 2004 when they hit their zenith...
11/1/2011
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 Q&A with Suzi Wilczynski, Founder of Dig-It! Games
TDmonthly had a chance to speak with Suzi Wilczynski, creator of the computer game "Roman Town" and founder of Dig-It! Games, whose product not only seeks to entertain and educate all who play, but also to interest more young girls in science and computer technology...
8/1/2011
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 Educational Toys
See the most recently added specialty and mass-market Educational Toys...
8/1/2011
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 The Ups and Downs of LeapFrog
Leapfrog has had its ups and downs since the company was founded in 1995, and it appears they on their way up again- but are they really?...
6/1/2011
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 Classic Company Navigates High-Tech Market
In a recent interview, the president of HABA USA stressed the importance of brand-management and tech-savvy business moves in today's ever fluctuating market...
6/1/2011
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 How to Spot a Bully
All of us who are parents believe that our child, who is sweet and lovable at home, behaves and shows the utmost respect while at school...
3/1/2011
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 Talk to the Toy
Parents of developmentally challenged children are always on the hunt for toys and games that can increase verbal skills...
1/1/2011
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 Top-10 Most Wanted Books
Of 23 specialty store owners surveyed by TDmonthly Magazine's regional corresondents in 4Q 2010, only 18 carried books or comics...
1/1/2011
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 Mark-My-Time Encourages Study
With sales up 50% over last year, Mark-My-Time’s success is a smart blend of value-pricing, consumer feedback, proven quality and innovative products...
10/1/2010
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 TDmonthly’s Music Expert
TDmonthly Magazine’s Music Expert heard a frog’s rock story, learned about functions of the brain, and enjoyed a jazzy spin on classic children’s songs...
7/1/2010
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 July Staff Picks
Oblo Spheres from Great Circle Works demands precision at every layer, and words count as strokes in an educational game of golf...
7/1/2010
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Holiday Preview: Preschool
Preschoolers will get down to playing and learning with Lilly Bean felt food sets, Grasshopper prep kits, and projects full of shape and texture from 1-2-3 Preschool Projects. Get to know plush friends, playsets and more in TDmonthly’s Holiday Preview of Preschool items.For products that interest you, click "Add to...
6/1/2010
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 Learning Aids Track Time on Video
A scheduling buddy helps kids handle daily activities, a tomato teaches kids about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, and a see-through race car lets children see inside the action...
6/1/2010
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 Summary of Online Toy Reviews
TDmonthly Magazine’s Review Scout scours the Web weekly for reviews of new and hot products so you don’t have to spend your time searching. Check this space for briefs on reviews and ratings from across the nation and even the globe...
6/1/2010
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 Preview Toys for 4th Quarter
If you’re like most specialty retailers, you’ll wrap up your big holiday orders in late summer/early fall. To make sure you have the data you need...
5/1/2010
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 Video Interview: Toy Fair Trends Get All "A's"
The main trends to watch for this year ... are Active Toys that stimulate both body and mind, Affordable playthings that feature low cost and multiple uses, Accessible items that let kids access their favorite brands via a variety of media and products, and Aspirational products...
3/1/2010
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 Summary of Online Toy Reviews
TDmonthly Magazine’s Review Scout scours the Web weekly for reviews of new and hot products so you don’t have to spend your time searching. Check this space for briefs on reviews and ratings from across the nation and even the globe...
2/1/2010
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 How Toy Fair’s Becoming More Earth Friendly
Toy Fair’s gone green before. But this year, in addition to welcoming a slew of eco-friendly product, the Toy Industry Association is ramping up environmental consciousness everywhere from the press room to individual exhibits...
2/1/2010
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 Top-10 Most-Wanted Children's Books
HarperCollins continues to give book sales high-end flair with "Fancy Nancy" titles that make kids and cash registers smile, according to a TDmonthly Magazine survey of 44 specialty retail stores...
1/1/2010
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 Eco-Aquariums Struggle, But Kids Still Enjoy Frogs
TDmonthly Magazine’s Roundtable Families reviewed Wild Creations’ Classic Water Garden Starter Kit Eco-Aquarium for the September 2009 issue of TDmonthly. Five months later, the reviewers lowered their collective rating...
1/1/2010
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 Summary of Online Toy Reviews
TDmonthly Magazine’s Review Scout scours the Web weekly for reviews of new and hot products so you don’t have to spend your time searching...
1/1/2010
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 Toys for the Christmas Rush
Your store is no doubt stocked and ready for the holiday rush leading up to Christmas day. But should you run low or have room to test exciting new products, we've gathered some newer entrants...
12/1/2009
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 December Staff Picks
Any storyteller can impart endearing tales with Muddy Cloud's new character finger puppets, and teens can authentically encounter the basics of electricity...
12/1/2009
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 Summary of Online Toy Reviews
TDmonthly Magazine’s Review Scout scours the Web weekly for reviews of new and hot products so you don’t have to spend your time searching...
12/1/2009
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 An App a Day Keeps Boredom Away
Any one of us has probably seen the following scene unfold: Someone is in line at the coffee shop, or bored in a waiting room, so out pops the iPhone...
12/1/2009
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 Tips for Buying “Green” This Christmas
Wanting the perfect “green” gift to put under the tree? If you’re concerned with the environmental impact of manufacturing and the materials used in your kids’ playthings...
12/1/2009
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 Toys in the News: 11-29-09
A report from the National Retail Federation shows that shoppers spent about $41.2 billion over Black Friday weekend, up from an estimated total of $41 billion...
11/1/2009
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 How a 5-MINUTE CHALLENGE® Trumps Challenging Times
On the prowl for a product that meets the needs of the times, TDmonthly Magazine and TOYDIRECTORY took a trip to Redondo Beach to visit Kathie and Marshall Gavin, founders of b. dazzle, inc. and makers of Scramble Squares® brain-teaser puzzles...
10/1/2009
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 Top-10 Most-Wanted Science & Nature Toys
It’s becoming easier and easier for toy stores to bring “life” to science lessons, with butterfly homes, frog-filled aquariums, multiple ant farms and all sorts of robotic creatures...
10/1/2009
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 Families Flip Over Wild Creations Frogs
TDmonthly Magazine’s Roundtable participants recently adopted new pets and created an eco-system with Wild Creations’ Classic Water Garden Starter Kit Eco-Aquarium...
9/1/2009
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 Retailer Spotlight: The Tutoring Toy
A desire to work together as a family first led Diane and Bill Sartain to investigate opening a toy store, and the opportunity to help parents understand the value of play clinched the deal in 1988...
9/1/2009
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Holiday Preview - Books
Pleasant picture books for babies, Jonas Brothers diaries for tweens and good ol’ story books give kids of all ages a reason to curl up and read (or write!) this winter. See some of the latest launches below...
5/1/2009
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 Retailers Take Home Extras in Toy Giveaway
Want to score some great samples for your store, or really get to check out new toys by having them in hand? TDmonthly Magazine's new Weekly Toy Giveaway Sweepstakes for Storeowners gives your store the chance to bring in extra product...
5/1/2009
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 New ABC Conference Aims to Inform
The ABC Kids Expo is in its seventh year, with plans to take over the Las Vegas Convention Center again this September. But this year, All Baby & Child is also offering something completely new...
4/1/2009
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 TDmonthly's Top-10 Toy Fair Toys
Among the tens of thousands of products on display at Toy Fair, there's always a select few that stand out, especially in terms of their promise for the specialty market. This year, TDmonthly Magazine was pleased to find an even broader variety of eco-friendly goods...
3/1/2009
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 MORE Secret Lives of Toymakers
What is it like to have $100,000 on the line and no buyers? Find out by watching more rough sequences from ToyDirectory's upcoming documentary...
3/1/2009
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 TDmonthly’s Psychologist Mom
TDmonthly Magazine’s Psychologist Mom recently found a tree full of creative play possibilities, practiced logic with colorful cubes, brushed up on spelling, and Bingo’d her way to a nutritious lifestyle...
3/1/2009
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 MagnaPlay Cases Hit Market in Just Months
MagnaPlay, a magnet toy company, grew from a project that scientist Maya Gowri was working on with her 10-year-old son, who had to develop a board game for a class project, she told TDmonthly Magazine...
2/1/2009
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 Regional Reports: What’s Selling … And Where
Sticky Mosaics by Orb Factory are just blowing away the competition. Not only did they rank at the top for girls’ arts and crafts toys, but some storeowners reported they were the best-selling item in the store...
2/1/2009
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 HEXBUGs Trio Plays With Technology
If a robot toy were crossed with an insect, what would you get? A HEXBUG! For Innovation First, the result has been a sellout, with demand overwhelming supply in the products’ first year...
1/1/2009
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 What Roundtables Mean for You
Throughout the year, TDmonthly Magazine's Roundtable reviewers — parents, their children, and occasionally retailers and experts — don their testing gloves and give their honest feedback about dolls, toys, games and infant products...
1/1/2009
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 Roundtable Roundup: Measuring Toys’ Lasting Value
TDmonthly Magazine recently checked in with its Roundtable families to find out which toys and games they reviewed from April through October still held their interest and continued to be part of their weekly play...
12/1/2008
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 In This Issue
If you’re going to Toy Fair in February, prepare with TDmonthly Magazine’s videos and tips here...
12/1/2008
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 Holiday Gift Guide: Teach Kids to Choose Quality
Intense marketing or fancy packaging can make a toy seem better than it really is, and sometimes, perception complicates the task of selecting safe, quality toys for children — or helping them pick the right one!...
11/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Toys – November 2008
Kanoodle by Educational Insights has made its way on to TDmonthly Magazine’s most recent top-10 list, joining other games Blokus, also by Educational Insights, and Bakugan Battle Brawlers from Spin Master Toys...
11/1/2008
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 Karito Kids Provide Health and Homes for Children
KidsGive makes dolls and books that represent girls and cultures around the world. It’s also a children’s charity and the result of a vision shared by Co-founders Laura Rangel, president, and her friend Lisa Steen Proctor, COO...
11/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Psychologist Mom
While reviewing the products below, TDmonthly Magazine’s Psychologist Mom learned lessons on geography, had some fun with dentist-developed paint for teeth, and brightened up bicycling with a flashing safety component...
11/1/2008
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 Strategic Word Play Game Earns Reviewers’ Praise
TDmonthly Magazine’s Tweens & Teens Roundtable took word play to a higher level with Jumbulaya, the ever-changing word play game … and had so much fun they wanted to play again and again...
11/1/2008
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 Find More Positive Toys in TDmonthly's Report
Kathy Mabry of The Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., recently told us how TDmonthly Magazine's 2008 Specialty Toys Report, "Positive Toys for a Promising Future," benefited her business...
11/1/2008
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alison Marek, Managing EditorPhone: (310) 979-4330 E-mail: alison@toydirectory.comwww.tdmonthly.comwww.toydirectory.com BUY INNOVATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS WITH TDMONTHLY MAGAZINE’S 2008 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Shopper-Friendly Advertising Venue Offers Original Finds and Click-Through Convenience Los Angeles, Calif. (October 21, 2008) – Parents can forget...
10/1/2008
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 In This Issue
Did you miss last month's announcement about our 2008 award winners and Promising Toys for a Promising Future(tm): TDmonthly Magazine's 2008 Specialty Toys Report?...
9/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Toys
Playmobil and Ganz’ Webkinz are still tops at many toy stores, a summer survey of 66 specialty retailers revealed. And through the summer months, indoor games as well as outdoor toys for active play made a big impression on the bottom line...
9/1/2008
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 Manners Game Teaches Social Graces, Panel Says
TDmonthly Magazine’s Homeschool Roundtable participants reviewed their own manners as they played Blunders, a board game designed to make learning etiquette and social skills fun...
9/1/2008
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 Brainy Baby Gets Smarter By the Year
For parents who want their children to learn the ABCs, 123s, animals, shapes, colors, Spanish and French, Brainy Baby makes toys, games, music, books, videos and more so that babies, toddlers and preschoolers can do just that...
8/1/2008
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 GeoPuzzle Teaches Homeschoolers European Geography
TDmonthly Magazine’s Homeschool Roundtable studied geography the fun way by constructing GeoToys’ GeoPuzzle Europe piece by piece. Their reviews show that the hands-on geography lesson was a huge hit...
8/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Psychologist Mom
In her latest round of reviews, TDmonthly Magazine’s Psychologist Mom found a 3-D puzzle up to the challenge, brushed up on world geography, and studied phonics in a flash...
8/1/2008
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 Rebuilt Griddly Games Sports Strategy and Fun
Named after the world grid, Griddly Games makes sports-themed games that feature diverse, hand-painted characters. Reisa Schwartzman, now owner and president, took over the bankrupt company in December 2006 and, with Penny Osborn, director of operations, revamped the business...
7/1/2008
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 ThinkFun Puzzles Set Brains on Fire
When husband and wife Bill Richie and Andrea Barthello co-founded Binary Arts in 1985, they started with the premise that “having fun is a great way to learn"...
7/1/2008
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 Homeschoolers Turn Pages for Digital Bookmark
It didn’t take TDmonthly Magazine’s Homeschool Roundtable participants long to see that the ease of use and practical application of the Digital Bookmark by Mark-My-Time make it a product to … well … bookmark as a favorite...
7/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Psychologist Mom
Two five-star games and a strong lineup of other items — from space-themed art to decades-old airmen stories — gave Dr. Wright and her fellow kid reviewers plenty to rave about.....
6/1/2008
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 Investing in Time
In 2004 stay-at-home mom Maureen Farinella, a former district manager for Barnes & Noble's software division, realized timing her elementary school-aged children’s required reading was difficult, as one child was a voracious reader, and the other reluctant...
5/1/2008
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 Getting Kids to Talk, One Card at a Time
Glad you’re not a kid in this hooked-in, constant-access, grow-up-now world? If you were, wouldn’t you need a little help wading through society’s ethical quagmires?...
5/1/2008
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 Strategic Space Runs the Race
Mark Salzwedel, president and CEO of Strategic Space, Inc., reflects on the history of his game design and his first year publishing tabletop games...
5/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Psychologist Mom
Things have been shaded yellow and green for TDmonthly Magazine’s Psychologist Mom, who rated the following five products with 1 to 5 TD stars (for TDmonthly!); 5 is the top mark...
5/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Puzzles
Specialty retailers shared with TDmonthly magazine that the most popular selling puzzles were wooden puzzles, floor puzzles and wooden floor puzzles. Melissa & Doug and Ravensburger managed to produce all three...
4/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Games
Most of the 63 specialty retailers recently surveyed by TDmonthly Magazine said their best-selling games are those that are educational...
3/1/2008
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 Toddler Roundtable: Goosie Cards Read Well
Goosie Cards impressed TDmonthly Magazine’s Toddler Roundtable with their sharp design and eye-catching logo, as well as the fact that the cards are made in the USA and were invented by a mom...
3/1/2008
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 TDmonthly’s Top-10 Grown-up Gifts
Although most specialty retailers don’t carry products geared specifically towards adults, there are a few gifts that are popular among kids of all ages — especially games that require thinking...
12/1/2007
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 Writer Invests Self in All 4 Kidz
Most writers know that being published involves getting an agent and suffering rejection and disappointment. But Angela E. Davis-Lewis of All 4 Kidz Enterprises avoided these traditional obstacles by creating her own publishing company...
8/1/2007
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 H & T Imaginations Is More Than Plush
Kids are supposed to eat right, play well and grow up to have healthy bodies and curious minds. Yet, so many of today’s toys are about having fast fingers and eyes...
8/1/2007
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 Build a Better Brain
When babies read and kids blow up their own skeletons, you know something's going on...
7/1/2007
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 TDmonthly's Developmental Expert
Christina Liu uses toys to help kids with or at risk for developmental delay reach their full potential. This month, her kids make up new animals, break secret codes, learn story structure and more...
3/1/2007
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 Poppo Plays With Passion
Business is poppin’ for Poppo, which sees itself as both a game and toy company, utilizing interactive website marketing and retail outlets to bring its products to a family-targeted demographic...
2/1/2007
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 Simple Toys Teach Best
Two-thirds of the retailers TDmonthly surveyed indicated that educational purchases begin with ages 4 and younger...
2/1/2007
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 Bubble Gum Turns Kids to Chemists
Science products from Scientific Explorer, Tedco and others rank as educational best sellers, six of 18 retailers told TDmonthly...
2/1/2007
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 A No. 5, With Plush on the Side
Though some manufacturers of educational products are sticking with simplicity, others indicate that combos and extras are what people want...
2/1/2007
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 TimeOut Tot's Tots Avoid Timeout
"It's human nature. Reward good behavior and the kids will want to do it again," Ann R. Brazil, of TimeOut Tot, told TDmonthly...
1/1/2007
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 TDmonthly's Top-10 Most-Wanted Games
Their broad appeal to both kids and adults is why games such as Educational Insights' Blokus and Out of the Box Publishing's Apples to Apples are best sellers...
11/1/2006
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Education is a Child's Game
Retailers and manufacturers TDmonthly spoke with agreed: Games make great back to school products...
9/1/2006
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 TDmonthly's Hollywood ToyBoy
Parents want their kids to do well in school. Fact. Unfortunately, most kids would rather watch TV, play video games, or hang out with their friends goofin’ off rather than study...
9/1/2006
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 TDmonthly's Developmental Expert
Christina Liu has a B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies from California State University and has worked for more than three years as an early intervention specialist .....
8/1/2006
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 Corporate Consultant Goes Crackers
Mark Liebig has spent the last 23 years educating cherry-picked employees of multi-national corporations on global market operations. His latest challenge? Eight-year-olds...
4/1/2006
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 Preventing Kindergarten Dummies and Social Morons
According to Kathy Oxley, founder of Preschool Prep Company, research shows there is a direct correlation between kids falling behind in reading skills in the 2nd grade and dropping out of high school...
2/1/2006
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 Bringing Up Baby, Bebe, Bambino
With the popularity of multicultural toys on the rise, retailers and manufacturers who’ve jumped on the global product bandwagon say their products are selling like hotcakes...
2/1/2006
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 Tweens Elected President
Five homeschooling families in Western North Carolina evaluated four new toys for TDmonthly Magazine...
1/1/2006
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Educational Toys
The following products are from manufacturers you won't find at the 2006 Toy Fair...
1/1/2006
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 Tween Girls Go Scientific
Five homeschooling moms in North Carolina and their nine tween daughters evaluated six toys for TDmonthly Magazine...
12/1/2005
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 Homeschooled Kids Teach Toys How to Play
TDmonthly Magazine interviewed five homeschooling mothers from Western North Carolina who are raising a total of 15 children among them to find out what kinds of toys they buy...
11/1/2005
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 Homeschoolers Like Toys, Too
Homeschoolers are in your community — in growing numbers — and they’re looking for quality toys to stimulate and teach...
11/1/2005
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It Belongs In a Museum!
Gone are the stodgy days of dusty tables in basements; there is a large, flashy and growing market in museum gift shops...
10/1/2005
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After-School Specials
TDmonthly Magazine talked to over 30 manufacturers about selling to the after-school market, and what the kids are playing with...
10/1/2005
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 Back-to-School for Babies?
At one time, the term “going back to school” referred only to children 5 and older. These days, between schools, parents and government-sponsored programs, children are getting “ready” for school literally from day one...
6/1/2005
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 Science + Fun = Great Chemistry!
Starting in 2007, national science competancy tests will be administered across grades three through eight for the first time...
6/1/2005
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 Play With a Purpose
“Low-tech” learning toys have been gaining popularity in a key demographic...
5/1/2005
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 High Tech Gadgets for Hip Kids
As iPods, VAIOs, Blackberries and Treos become mainstays of modern adult life, children and teenagers have often lamented the lack of trendy electronic products targeted towards their age group. Finally, the toy industry has heard their cries...
3/1/2005
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 Baby Brains Abuzz with Baby Bumblebee
At Baby Bumblebee, where producing award-winning educational videos and DVDs for the infant and toddler market has become the norm, brainstorming is a way of life...
2/1/2005
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Educational Toys: Where Fun Gets Smart
Educational toys are clever at mingling fun with learning. Toy manufacturers are becoming increasingly savvy at providing children school and life lessons without the young students even realizing they are gaining a valuable education. The following thought-provoking products use modern-day materials to help a new era of young minds grasp...
1/1/2005
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 Mom´s Perspective: Weird Science
I have a friend who used to think her son was a prodigy. "You don´t have to get smashed over the head with a beaker to realize that Ralphie is going to get the Nobel Prize in Science someday," she´d brag. It all began when Ralphie was just a wee lad. In an effort to "see the pichers inside de telebishion," he dismantled his mother´s computer monitor. Ralphie´s father was appalled...
12/1/2004
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 Science and Nature Toys Inspire Kids to Get Smart
From Erector and chemistry sets to microscopes and sea monkeys, buying a child a science-based toy opens them up to a whole new world. Through these products, children can learn the disciplines of scientific methods, appreciate the value of observation, and realize that good results are predicated on following directions...
12/1/2004
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 Five Science Books to Captivate a Child
With the educational and science-related book category enjoying increased visibility and sales success, TDmonthly magazine takes a look this month at five all-ages titles that will entrance young readers with surprising perspectives, compelling narratives and timeless themes. The unifying thread, of course, is science...
12/1/2004
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Science and Nature: Not Just For Geeks
For the child or teen that loves an intellectual challenge, many Toy and Hobby manufacturers have created products that will challenge and entertain the science-oriented young mind...
12/1/2004
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Thriving Fat Brain Toys is a Family Affair
Call it magnetic attraction. Or, you could say they were “drawn” to the toy business. But one thing is certain: a magnetic construction toy led Mark and Karen Carson to found Fat Brain Toys in 2002. The Elkhorn, Nebraska, company boasts five specialty online toy stores and a burgeoning toy distribution business. And it all began with GeoMag, an Italian toy given to their son, Adam, for his 10th birthday...
12/1/2004
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 Musical Training Can Start with Toys
Toy Symphony products, were developed by Tod Machover, a composer and professor of music and media, and his research team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The project is co-sponsored by MIT Media Consortia Fund, Yamaha, Sega, Fisher-Price, and Mattel...
11/1/2004
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Books: Coloring & Activity
Betty Lukens Learning Fun with Felt Activity books become educational when a child can interact with the characters themselves. A series of books by Betty Lukens Learning Fun with Felt teaches about many fun topics, such as, “Holidays & Seasons” and “Animals of the World.” These books encourage your...
10/1/2004
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 Oregon Scientific: Children´s Learning Devices
Steve Jackson, executive vice president of Oregon Scientific has been involved in the toy industry most of his life. "The greatest influence on my success has been an insatiable drive to provide a fun and valuable play experience for kids...
9/1/2004
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 Electronic Learning for Kids: Working Hard or Hardly Working?
Electronic learning toys currently account for nearly 10% of annual sales in the $21 billion toy industry. Overall, educational toys are the fastest growing segment in the toy industry. Current trends within the electronic learning toy segment include:...
9/1/2004
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EDUCATIONAL
Dowling Magnets The educational Wonderboard Magnet Set is a great way to introduce spelling and words to children! It includes 99 magnet lower case letter, 26 upper case letters and 7 blank magnets that can be used to create your own words. Kids ages 3 and up can have...
8/1/2004
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EDUCATIONAL
Barker Creek Barker Creek (ToyDirectory) offers the Parents´ Choice-Award Winning KidUSA™ Activity Kit. The kit includes over 300 brightly colored magnetic pieces-States & Capitals, State Flags, State Abbreviations, State Birds, and State Flowers. It also includes a reproducible 152-page activity book which is packed with state specific activity pages, maps,...
7/1/2004
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When the Telephone Rings
Barbara Gilmour is the Creator and Developer of Tanner’s Manners: Be a “Kool Kind Kid” Manners Curriculum, Award-winning Audio CD and other products...
6/1/2004
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MULTIMEDIA
TV Games JAKKS Pacific introduces additions to its award-winning TV Games line based on top brands and licenses. New releases include: Ms. Pac-Man TV Games, featuring miltiple classic games including Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Pole Position, Xevious and Mappy; the Atari Paddle TV Games, which look like the...
3/1/2004
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