Posts Tagged ‘preschool’

Bambino Starter Pack

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

BambinoLUK Early Learning Starter Pack

Bambino Starter Pack is absolutely perfect for my 2 1/2 year old son! He wants to do school with “the big kids” and this fits the bill. He likes to touch and feel things more than just sit and color. He is excited to do the exercises, and can do it by himself—which is how he likes to do things. He is successful at the activities. Some of them, like the more mathematical are too advanced. We just find pages in the workbook that are at his level. He has surprised us a couple of times with his abilities, though. It is a wonderful item!!

Patricia
Baker City, OR
I am a licensed teacher. I taught in the public school system and worked to develop curriculum for the state we previously lived in. We have three children, and I feel blessed and priviledged to homeschool them.
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Wee Wedgits

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Wee Wedgits

Wee Wedgits have been very popular with our baby! He was 9 months we he received them and he has played with them fairly regularly since. His older siblings enjoy them too. We will probably get a set of regular wedgits once the baby is old enough. My only disappointment with the toy is that they were described as being squishy soft and they are definitely harder than that. This has not deterred my son from chewing on them at all; that is his favorite thing to do with them!

Carrieanne
USA
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BambinoLUK Early Learning Starter Pack

Friday, February 5th, 2010

BambinoLUK Early Learning Starter Pack

I had been looking for something for my 4 year old to do while I was busy with my other children during homeschooling . He was so excited to be “doing school” just like his older brother and sisters. He has enjoyed this program (BambinoLUK Early Learning Starter Pack) immensely and wants to do it over and over again. The hands on aspect is just what he needed at this point. I love it! I recommend it to everyone with small children, and I am looking forward to using more of this product.

Julia

Deposit, NY

Read 6 additional homeschool reviews of BambinoLUK.

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Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby

There’s just something about the Nicki Baby.  Unlike my daughter’s other baby dolls, Nicki is just full of personality.  She’s friendly and soft and cuddly and I even find myself picking her up and cuddling her.

I bought one for my one-year-old for Christmas and when it first came I was a little surprised at the size.  It was smaller than I imagined it would be.  I was picturing Beanie Baby bear size and it was a little smaller than that.  But then I saw it in my tiny daughter’s arms and I realized it was just right for her.  She loves to hug it and cuddle it.  And I love tucking her in at night with it because I know it’s soft and won’t make her uncomfortable when they both shift positions in their sleep.

I’m a rather frugal person and normally I wouldn’t pay $17.50 for a small doll, but I don’t regret buying Nicki Baby at all.  She has totally charmed me.


Sarah
Utah

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby is available in 5 colors at timberdoodle.com

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Wahoo was the favorite gift.

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Wahoo - Pink

Wahoo - Pink

When I first saw this in the catalog I thought it was so silly. I thought that I’d never pay that much for a blow up toy that would probably wind up in the corner. Then I watched the little video and thought about it some more and decided that my 2 year old might really like it. I showed my husband and he said, “No.” Then we went to a toy store where they had one blown up and my 2 year old ran and jumped on it right away. My husband changed his mind. The problem was they wanted almost $50! So we ordered one from Timberdoodle for Christmas. Wahoo was the favorite gift. My 2 year old jumped on it’s back and hopped around with it, danced with it, sat on it, kissed it, carried it around, told me she loved it, and covered it up with a blanket. My only regret is that I didn’t get on for the 4 year old because she is all over it wanting one too.


Amy
Ohio

Wahoo is available from Timberdoodle in Blue and Pink

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Bubber – Oh, We Have Been Having Fun!

Monday, December 21st, 2009

The following review is is reposted from the Classless and Lovin It blog

We received a package from Timberdoodle and everyone in the family has been enjoying it in a big way. We’ve received packages from Timberdoodle before and they are always a hit. Even if it is a “boring” homeschool text, the kids are thrilled because Timberdoodle sends stickers with every order. Who doesn’t love stickers?

This package was different from any package we’ve received from them before. Our Timberdoodle box contained a bucket of…….Bubber. Have you heard of Bubber yet? This was new to me. The bucket felt as if it could be empty, but upon opening, we discovered a modelling compound that is nearly indescribable.

Originating from Sweden, it is called the lightest modelling compound on earth, and I believe it. Yet as light as it is, it can hold it’s shape in an amazing way. It is soft and silky, yet crumbly and dry. It isn’t cold and clammy like play-dough, rather, it is warm and nearly feels like it is melting in your hands….but it’s not. My four year old described it well. She said it feels “like warm snow.”
We were also given several great accessories to go with our new Bubber:

The Castle Mold Set, which would also work great with Moonsand. The Spoon KnifeAnd my favorite, the Mirette. This little tool is very inexpensive, at only $2.25, but it is so perfect for any clay, play-dough, or bubber type activities.

We all played with it for hours the first day. The kids have asked to play with it again every day. My BIG kids have asked daily! And the biggest kids in the house (my husband and myself) have enjoyed it right along with them.

It forms well, but doesn’t work in more detailed molds because it just isn’t heavy enough to come out well. But when compressed into a simple mold, it comes out looking like a foam noodle and feels just as firm! There is something so tactile-pleasing about squeezing this stuff, cutting it, and shaving slivers off of bubber-towers with the mirette. I was not surprised then to read that Timberdoodle describes it as being “an excellent source for tactile stimulation, improving gross- and fine-motor skills in a satisfyingly gentle way.”
So now the really important parts: Cost & Clean-up
Cost is $10.50 for a 4 oz bucket of Bubber. One 4-oz bucket kept all four of my children playing contentedly without argument…and even sharing some with mom and dad. Ours was white, but you can also order it in 5 other colors. Keep in mind, Bubber never dries out. So when you sweep under the table the next day and find a piece of bubber….it’s not trash! Big plus.

It is an easily crumbled product and it is sooooo fun to crumble, however, the pieces don’t smear into the carpet and they vacuum very easily. We use a large cookie sheet with raised edges to keep most of it contained. I don’t do it because I’m worried about clean-up, I just want to keep every crumb of this amazing stuff so we can keep playing with it for a long, long time.
If you are somehow able to resist the allure of Bubber, I highly encourage you to still check out the website. Timberdoodle is a family company that I am happy to give my business. The Deffinbaugh’s and their five children (now grown and working in the company, too) make every order a personal experience. Competitive pricing, Painless return policy, Extremely fast shipping every time I’ve done business with them….And don’t forget the stickers.
For other reviews on this product, check out Mamabuzz.
The preceding review is is reposted from the Classless and Lovin It blog
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The Big Picture Story Bible (devotions for your little ones)

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

The Big Picture Story Bible

The Big Picture Story Bible

“Who’s the main character in the book of Joshua?” I asked the girls I teach on Wednesday nights.  It was a trick question, and most of them caught it. While a few said, “Joshua,” most answered, “God!” In our Bible survey course we’d already discussed how GOD is the main character in every part of the Bible, even in Esther where He is not mentioned by name at all.

One of my purposes in teaching this class is that the girls will begin to see the big picture of what God is doing throughout time. It’s easy for children to gain a decent familiarity with Bible stories and still lack a cohesive idea of how it all fits together.  Sunday school materials, especially for the younger crowd, often don’t help here, emphasizing discreet Bible stories but not showing man’s need for redemption, or explain what God was doing in the Old and New Testaments to call out and redeem a people for Himself. As I wrote in an earlier post, some books and S.S. curricula are even omitting the Fall and man’s sinful nature, as if this is too difficult or troubling for four year olds to grasp!

I don’t think my children are that unique, and none of them have had any trouble recognizing their own sinfulness. Rather than be discouraged by the fact that they do wrong things, even little ones can be encouraged that there is a solution for their dark hearts. And without knowledge of our sin, we have no need for a Savior. In addition, in Children’s Bible story books, sometimes truth is sacrificed in order to create an easy to understand text.

Enter The BIG PICTURE Story Bible. This book is unlike any other Bible story book I have even seen! Rather than just retelling lots of wonderful Bible stories, the author here, in simple words, shows God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation. Yes, you will read of Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, David, Lazarus, Nicodemus, and John, but throughout you will see God shining as the main character. You will read of how God kept his promises over and over and how Jesus fulfilled everything that God had written about and planned from long ago.

As wonderful as the text is, the pictures are just as compelling. Bold and colorful, they have lots of kid appeal without resorting to sentimentality. (The angels who announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds almost look frightening! But not enough to upset your three year old.)  I love what the end cover says about the author:  As a church-planting pastor and father of five, David Helm joined his confidence in God’s Word and his respect for the spiritual capacity of children to write this book.

Don’t sell your young children short spiritually. Read them God’s Word straight up, but when you look for Bible story books be selective. The BIG PICTURE Story Bible is a great addition to any family’s library!

5 stars

The Big Picture Story Bible is available at Timberdoodle.com.

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Wedgits 20-Piece Tote

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Wedgits 20-Piece Tote

Wedgits 20-Piece Tote

We love Wedgits!  Children of all ages can build and create with them.  At the simplest level, they can be stacked into interesting towers.  Older children and adults will realize that you can also slide and wedge pieces together to make structures that stay together without the help of gravity.  The included base is especially useful for younger children, because it makes their towers more stable.  Our whole family enjoys these, and we often end up with visitors (both adults and children) on the floor playing with them.  We did end up buying more sets to complement the 20-piece tote, but this one is a very good start, especially since it includes the base.

5 stars

Carolyn S.
Mystic, CT

See our entire Wedgits collection.

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Wahoo – The Perfect Puppy

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Wahoo - The happiest, jumpiest, bounciest puppy ever.

Wahoo - The happiest, jumpiest, bounciest puppy ever.

We just received Wahoo, opened the package and pumped him up! It was instant joy for our three year old! He has low tone and this is a great toy to work on those leg muscles, while having lots of fun! An old therapist used something like this that was 3x the price. I am thrilled to have found this product on your website!!! Thank you! Thank you!

5 stars

Jennifer
Woodstock, IL

Wahoo is available in pink and blue.

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Gopher It!

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Gopher It

Gopher It

We played Gopher It! many, many (and many more) times when my youngest was 4 and 5. Simple, fast-playing, good practice with basic addition … the girl loved it, and only mom started getting a teensy bit bored after the 50th game played. However, Gopher It! was delightful practice and a favored game well after the math concepts and facts were down solidly. The game involves addition of 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s, and there’s some strategy and, in a roundabout way, some subtraction built in, too. Highly recommended for young ones, but be prepared to play it a lot. We have several games by the same company who makes Gopher It!, and have enjoyed them all. They have sturdy cards, cute artwork, a nicely sized box, and simple instructions. They travel well and are always a hit with other kids who see us playing and join in.

stars_4

Dianna
Grapeland, TX
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