January 2010 New Specialty Toys — Special Needs

The Daisy Fold & Go goes with any Easy Daysies Magnetic Kit. It is a 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 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.

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.

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.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Top Choice of the Year Award (Parenting Aids-Teaching Responsibility & Educational Products-Preschool Category); 2010 Parent-Tested Parent-Approved Award

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.

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.

The Podee® Hands-Free feeding system is a solution for on-the-go parents and parents of multiples. Since the baby feeds in a semi-upright position with the Podee bottle, it can also help reduce colic, reflux and ear infections. "We're the original hands-free baby bottle feeding system. There is nothing else like it on the market. And we've been doing this for over 16 years," Prudente Cueto, president of Podee International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1991.

This set includes 12, 14"-square, 100-percent nylon scarves in a variety of colors, plus a durable reusable plastic bag for storage. It is made in the USA. Launch date: 2009.