Kidlutions: Preferred Product Award

Smart Parenting for Smart Kids

2012-01-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

Smart kids have it "made in the shade", right? Not so much! Luckily for the parents of those smart kids, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Dr. Mark Lowenthal combined their talents and wrote "Smart Parenting for Smart Kids". Bright kids face obstacles that we don't often consider, but these two therapists know all too well the types of difficulties that await intellectually advanced children.

The good doctors focus on seven fundamental challenges that face smart kids. Included in that list are: Dealing with perfectionism, relationships, managing sensitivity (and if you parent or teach a bright kid, you know just what this is all about), cooperation and competition, dealing with authority, developing motivation, and finally, finding joy.

Kennedy-Moore and Lowenthal point out the areas that might represent hurdles for smart kids, and they help parents identify effective ways to respond and support children for better outcomes. They recognize the pressures that come along with higher levels of intelligence, and they help keep it all in perspective, by shining on a light on the issues which parents might not often consider.

Very important things to remember in this quick video!

The book is loaded with vignettes and creative ideas and activities that you can use with your kids, to help them learn better coping skills. Kennedy-Moore and Lowenthal empower parents to teach their kids some crucial psychological and emotional tools, in a fun and non-threatening manner. It is a rare gem, whose pages will delight you with innovative approaches to the problems that often get smart kids "stuck".

Never preachy or "academic", "Smart Parenting for Smart Kids" gets to the heart of the matter. It's about raising healthy, stable children who develop the emotional literacy necessary to truly succeed in life. The book is grounded on the tenets of social-emotional skill-building, which is a must for every child, but which can be more challenging for particularly bright children. The book aims to help you raise kids with compassion, perspective, and grit. Just hearing those words alone makes my heart smile.

Drs. Kennedy-Moore and Lowenthal suggest strategies that will help your children gain the ability to problem-solve, handle conflict, deal with disappointment and more. They also provide a section in each chapter entitled, Show the Way, in which they spell out how your own behaviors and reactions impact your child.

So very, very true! Allowing our kids to do their own work.

This book is a must read for every parent who is raising a child who is gifted or advanced. It is geared specifically towards some of the stumbling-blocks faced by these kids. However, the book is so well-written and full of ideas that apply to all children. The techniques and activities, as well as parental mind-sets discussed, would work wonders with any child (and parent).

To read this book is to love it! If a book can be called "exquisite", this is it! You can read the whole first chapter here.

One word of caution, though. If you use a pencil to underline the most pertinent parts of the books you read (like I do), be sure to have a pencil sharpener handy. You will need it. I found myself nodding my head in agreement as I underlined my way thorough the "Smart Parenting for Smart Kids"!

Welcome to the Kidlutions family of award-winners, Dr. Kennedy-Moore and Dr. Lowenthal. "Smart Parenting for Smart Kids" is a book I will recommend to parents, educators and colleagues time and again. It's just that powerful!

(If Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore's name sounds familiar, it is because she also has another award-winning book, "What About Me? 12 Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister")

What About Me? 12 Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention (Without Hitting Your Sister)

2011-11-13T12:47:00.001-08:00

It's a fact of life. When you parent more than one child, you will have to deal with some intense moments. That may include bickering, screaming, tattling, and (sigh) physical altercations. What we've come to know as sibling rivalry may actually be your child's attempt at getting their piece of the parental pie of attention. Negative behaviors have proven to be a quick and sure-fire way to garner that attention. Few parents can ignore the wailing that accompanies a younger sibling being bonked on the head with a wooden block.

But, what if you coud teach your child some better ways to get your attention? What if your child could learn some proactive, positive ways to be noticed by you and still keep the peace? This can be more than wishful thinking when you share What about Me?: Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister with your child.

Here's a quick and sweet introduction to the book:

What about Me?: Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister was written by Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a psychologist who is the mom of four children. She knows the importance of teaching children positive replacement skills, not just telling them what we don't want them to do. That's a key piece of building our children's social-emotional muscles.

According to Kennedy-Moore:

One of the hardest things about being a sibling is having to share parents' attention. Even in the most loving home, older siblings tend to hear comments like: "Be quiet or you'll wake your sister." "We'll do that later - I have to feed the baby now." Or, "Let your brother play, too." Preschoolers can't explain to their parents, "I'm feeling frustrated, jealous, and left out. I could really use some extra attention and reassurance of your love." Instead, they are likely to misbehave and even lash out by screaming, hitting, pushing, or snatching toys."

What about Me?: Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister will go a long way towards supporting young children, ages 3-8, in sharing mom and dad's attention with younger siblings. Can you imagine the sense of grown-up independence you would feel as a small child, if someone gave you a dozen new ways to get noticed that wouldn't get you in trouble? This book does it all with a can-do approach that offers loving guidance and whimsical illustrations.

Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore

What about Me?: Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister won't be a book that will just sit on your child's shelf. They'll ask you to read it again and again, and they'll also refer to it themselves. The pictures perfectly capture the ideas for non-readers, so even they can refer to the book on their own, to remind themelves of ways to appropriately get their needs met. This book should be in the home of anyone parenting more than one child! When a new baby is expected, this book makes the perfect gift for the big brother or big sister!

Welcome to the Kidlutions award-winning family, Dr. Kennedy-Moore. There will be many, many more peaceful homes, thanks to What about Me?: Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister.

Kimochis: Plush Toys with a Purpose!

2011-07-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Feelings can be messy...Kimochis can help!

If I told you that you could raise your child to be happy and successful, and that it could be as simple as having them play with a plush toy, you might raise an eyebrow. Initially, that is! Because once you see and experience Kimochis, you will see exactly what I mean.

My heart skipped a beat when I was first introduced to Kimochis about a year ago. I was thrilled when the creators submitted them for our award. It didn’t take long for our reviewers to see that Kimochis and our Preferred Product Awards went together like PB&J.

Kimochis (KEY.MO.CHEES), which means “feeling” in Japanese, is the name given to these whimsical plush creatures, which do more than just look cute and colorful on your child’s bed or shelf. They are so much more than plush toys. In fact, they are plush toys with a purpose!

It’s all about the feelings. Being able to identify them in ourselves and others is a critical life skill. Moreover, being able to cope with those feelings, manage intense and uncomfortable feelings and having the confidence to handle whatever problems come our way, are the things that great lives are built upon.

An example of some of the feelings in the "mixed feelings" bag.

Kimochis help with all of the above in a way that is accessible and FUN for young children. Often, you will hear parents or caregivers say, “Use your words”, when trying to assist a child in communicating about intense emotions. Kimochis actually give your kids the feeling words to use.

Kimochis come with three feelings face pillows, that have the feeling written on the back. More available for purchase. In the extra kits, there is a blank pillow and a marker, for your child to be able to talk about and deal with whatever feeling may be pressing at the moment!

More examples of feeling pillows!

They also come with an incredible 48 page “Kimochis Feel Guide”, which is an incredible resource when it comes to creative uses of the Kimochis plush toy and feelings. (Seriously folks, this “Feel Guide” alone is golden!)

Kimochis is all about the business of helping your kids manage feelings in socially acceptable ways. Only they make it fun, memorable and upbeat! Don't think these will just benefit the kids, though. Better communication about feeling benefits us all!

Welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Kimochis! So glad you have joined us!

Listen to Me, Please: A Triple Dip of Feelings Fun!

2011-05-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

Don't parent without this book!

A Trio of Award Winners

Did you ever come across a product that made your heart sing? What about three of them at once? That was exactly what happened when I read and listened to all of the incredible greatness of Ava Parnass. Ava is the multi-talented clinician that is behind three of our newest Preferred Product Award winning resources that help kids. It was a triple dip of feelings fun! Just knowing these products are out there changing the world has me dancing in the streets! And this time, I'm not even dancing to the music in my head. It's the music of Ava and gang that goes along with the some of the books!

Listen to Me, Please

What do kids need? They need a lot, and one of their primary needs after food, water, shelter and love is the need to be listened to. Really listened to. It seems like something that should come naturally to all of us, yet with the frenetic pace of today's world, and multiple demands on our time, we may not listen to or children in ways that are meaningful to them.

Ava Parnass, RN, MSN

Listen to Me Please: Time-In Not Time-Out is a game changer. In this book, Ava and her co-author, Dr. Ron Taffel, give you the low down to raising socially-competent, well-adjusted and better behaved children. All without time-out! Use this book with your children, connect with them on a deeper level and watch misbehavior disappear! It's pure relationship magic!

In addition to helping you listen to your child more effectively, this book will help you accentuate the positive, and help you help your child handle tough feelings, deal with the pressures of modern life and learn from mistakes. This book is part parenting field guide and part interactive story book. It's a book both you and your child will want to return to again and again!

My Feelings are Hungry

My Feelings are Hungry may be the single-most
important book in the fight against childhood obesity.

Did you even know that feelings could get hungry? They can and this is part of the reason that childhood obesity is at an all time high. Our country is working diligently at trying to prevent and remedy this problem. My Feelings are Hungry is the first book I have ever seen that addresses some of the key emotional issues that make kids want to eat more. My Feelings are Hungry is likely to become one of the single-most important books in the fight against childhood obesity.

This book is incredible from start to finish. The main character, Rebecca, is having a very bad day. Through rhyming prose, we take a trip with Rebecca through her kitchen, as she tries to calm herself with goodies and confections of all sorts. Suddenly, Mushy, a magical book guide, appears to transport the main character through Feelings Town.

Here's just a small sampling of the book's prose as the characters make their way through Feelings Town:

Mushy told me that asking for so many treats
Means I'm not saying something I feel underneath
So I told her what happened one step at a time
Like a tangled-up string I had to unwind

See? I told you it's GREAT! Pair that with bright, whimsical drawings and you have a winning combination that's better than any calorie-laden concoction.

On their journey, Mushy helps Rebecca explore myriad feelings. Through talking and processing those feelings, Rebecca is able to learn new ways to cope with them. Feelings Town is a wonderful place for all kids to explore their inner workings and learn that having big feelings is okay! The message that My Feelings are Hungry delivers will last a lifetime.

Where Did My Good Mood Go?

Did you ever have one of those days where you just didn't know what came over you? One of those days where you felt out of sorts? Kids have those kinds of days, too. Now, you can help them make sense of it with Where Did My Good Mood Go?

Mushy, that magical book guide, again helps the main character navigate the sometimes uncharted waters of difficult feelings. Mushy models healthy exploration of feelings, and getting assistance from adults, as needed. Speaking of grown-ups, one of the things I heart about these books is that they call the adults "my grown-up", which is really so clever. Many times, children do not live with their mom or their dad, and saying I asked "my mom" or "my dad" for help may not be something they can relate to. This is true for bereaved children, for children in foster care, and for children being raised by grandparents to name a few examples.

Where Did My Good Mood Go normalizes the fact that we all have "down" and "out of sorts" days, but it also offers hope, by showing that feelings of upset don't last forever. That's something we can all smile about!

Welcome, Ava and Listen to Me, Please, to the Kidlutions family of award winners! So glad you're aboard!

Show Me How: Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking

2011-04-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Looking for a book that creates childhood magic? This is it! It’s no secret that I love books, but a book that helps parents promote a love of reading and their self-esteem at the same time? It’s a match made in heaven, if you ask me! Encouraging self-concept, helping kids deal with feelings and connecting with kids in a way that is meaningful is what this book is all about! Show Me How: Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking offers a mix of information, activities and support that really makes a difference.

This book is part of the “Positive Parental Participation” series, which is a very apt description of what this book promotes. Show Me How is written by Vivian Kirkfield, a professional in the early childhood arena. Once you read her this book, you’ll see why she comes by her expert status honestly. Kirkfield’s genuine care and concern for the youngest among us comes shining through in this book. You’ll feel her compassionate guidance throughout!

Each chapter focuses on a different area of social-emotional skill-building, including helping your child build their sense of self, a feeling of mastery or independence, as well as dealing with feelings that can cause discomfort (anger, fear, etc.). For each topic, you’ll find a book to read, an eco-friendly activity to complete and a healthy recipe to whip up with your kids. It’s all about spending quality time with your child, which is where the magic comes in.

According to the author’s website, this book:

~ Outlines a simple step-by-step schedule that provides a balanced and harmonious day.

~ Pinpoints 100 picture books every young child needs to hear and helps develop pre-literacy skills.

~ Provides both a child-friendly healthful recipe AND an age-appropriate, eco-friendly craft project for each story suggestion and summary.

~ Offers true-life scenarios and crucial tips to help every parent identify and deal with six of the fundamental components of child development that contribute to building self-esteem.

~ Presents the program's key ingredient for success, positive parental participation, and shows how to apply it on a daily basis whether you are reading, crafting, cooking or doing ANYTHING with your child.

There is no question, there are enough activities in Show Me How to keep you and your child busy for more than a year! The activities in the book are suitable for home use, daycare or early childhood classrooms.

To see one of my most favorite excerpts from Show Me How, go here. There, you’ll find one of the most beautiful interactions of helping a young child (whose behavior was less than desirable) to cope with the feeling, make amends and rejoin the family with full membership.

Welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Vivian. We like your style. Show Me How is a gift to the early childhood world!

Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades

2011-03-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

Bullying Happens

Bullying happens. It's happening at younger ages than ever and it's time for us to not only take notice and "do something about it", but to do something that is meaningful and promotes change. There are many anti-bullying programs on the market, but few address the issues of relational aggression. Even fewer address these concepts as they relate to young children.

Girls Have Unique Social Struggles

Thanks to Drs. Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert, parents and educators can now be armed with a compass of sorts, that will help them navigate some of these uncharted waters of the unique social struggles that face elementary-aged girls. In their book, "Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-Proof Girls in the Elementary Grades", they lay out a 4-step process that offers meaningful support.

Dr. Michelle Anthony and her children.

The authors make an important point: "All children are capable of cruel acts: often as part of a group experience, sometimes on their own initiative." They further explain the natural developmental context in which our need to "fit in" exists, and help familiarize the reader with the underpinnings of relational aggression. Drs. Anthony and Lindert provide special guidance in a chapter of its own, to help support and help girls when they are dishing out a dose of "mean". Special activities and ideas can help tip the scales towards more compassion and understanding.

Dr. Reyna Lindert and her children.

Relational Aggression Defined

By defintion, some of the unique relational issues that girls face are:

Cruel Words
The Silent Treatment
Exclusion
Backstabbing
Rumor Spreading

The Toll of Relational Aggression

These experiences can result in emotional reactions such as depression, anxiety and more, which can take a huge toll on self-esteem. Physical manifestations such as headaches and stomachaches occur, and relational aggression even has an academic impact. This can be true for both the victim and the perpetrator of the cruel acts.

This book struck several chords with me, but one that sent shivers down my spine was this: "It's one thing to prepare yourself against the backstreet bully, but what do you do when your bully is your best friend?" This point is so very cogent to me, as many of the young girls that seek support in my office are doing so because of this very thing!

We provide kids with training on fire safety, personal safety and even have bulletins that come home from the school about trick-or-treating safety, yet what have we done to prepare kids for relational aggression? Very little.

The Shifting Tide

No longer can we sweep relational aggression aside and say, "Just ignore her. You'll be friends again by next week." Knowledge is power, and with "Little Girls Can Be Mean", real support and assistance can be offered to our young girls.

The Earlier the Better

Much can be done to assist girls in having healthier relationships with each other, long before they embark upon the rocky road of middle school. "Little Girls Can Be Mean" provides the tools. This book is the missing puzzle piece in helping our girls deal with social skills issues before problems therein reach critical mass.
What I adore about this book, aside from all of the aforementioned, is that it also provides the reader with an "Activity Bank". The activities are hands-on experiences that you can share with young girls to really help drive home what's important when it comes to treating others with civility, kindness and compassion.

Welcome aboard to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Drs. Anthony and Lindert! "Little Girls Can Be Mean" is a not to be missed book!

Name Your Tune CDs Help Kids Rock Out While They Grow More Condfident

2011-03-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Name Your Tune, Volume I

What’s in a name? Plenty, it turns out. We never tire of hearing our names. The same is true of kids who love all things personalized: bedding, backpacks, wall art, placemats, and the like. Savvy teachers know the importance of greeting children by name, wise business folks know it and those that are naturally connectors to others know it, too.

With all the enthusiasm tied to our names, you can imagine the delight a child feels when there is a song written just about him! When there’s a whole CD dedicated to him, it’s nothing short of thrilling! The Name Your Tune CDs, Volumes I and II, provide your child with the kind of excitement that cannot be found in generic songs. With these personalized treasures, your child will be strumming along to the beat and be singing with wild abandon to well-known songs with his name in it.

Name Your Tune, Volume II

Name Your Tune CDs are the mastermind of Candace Alper, a Canadian-based mompreneur and Eric Alper, her music-industry husband. The CDs were inspired by their daughter, Hannah. You can read more about their story here. The foot-stomping, hand-clapping fun contained on each CD does more than offer a melody, though. These CDs can actually help build your child's sense of confidence and self-esteem.

The Alper Family

When we use a person’s name to address them, we acknowledge their identity and boost their self-esteem. The mere mention of someone’s name validates their existence…it says, “I see you!” and that fact alone is uplifting. When a song is written with a child’s name in it, it elevates the “name-game” to a whole new level! Name Your Tune CDs offer fun with a function!

Years ago, when I was a child, there was a television show called “Romper Room”…some of you may remember that…which aired from my then hometown of Baltimore, MD. At the end of every episode, the teacher would use her “Magic Mirror” to “see” her friends in television-land. I would watch every episode my mother would allow me to, in hopes of hearing my name called out. To this day, I can remember how exciting it was to actually hear my name!

With Name Your Tune Volumes I and II , your child will hear his name more than 80 times, which is exciting in and of itself. However, when you factor in some of the titles of the songs, they go a long way towards developing a strong sense of self-confidence. One of my favorites is “Boom, Boom, Ain’t It Great to be YOU!” Other topics covered in the CDs include being friends, dealing with feelings, counting, letters and more.

The songs range from upbeat and fun-loving to relaxing and calming. I absolutely love some of the sound effects in the songs. I’ve listened to the CDs numerous times as part of my review, one time being on a road-trip with my 16-year-old son. (This was a huge departure from his usual techno or metal tunes.) Interestingly, he spontaneously offered, “A kid would love these!” That out of the mouth of a once-upon-a-time babe!

The Name Your Tune CDs, Volumes I and II make a great gift for a baby shower, birthday, get-well, Christmas, Hannukah, Easter, etc. It's a great anytime gift for no reason at all, too. Just a way to celebrate your child! It would be a gift the recipient would not soon forget.

Welcome, Name Your Tune, to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family! I know your songs are already warming their way into the hearts of children across the world! You have warmed my heart with your “giving back” through the “Hear Here” foundation, to help underprivileged kids get hearing aids. Now, that’s music to my ears!

You can also check out their website for more products that are personalized for the special child in your life!

Great products for kids!

2011-03-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

This free newsletter generated with Smilebox

Last weekend, several of our Kidlutions Preferred Product Award winners were featured in a door-prize giveaway basket for one lucky winner at the MACs Kids Expo 2011 in New York! How exciting! All of our product winners can be seen at: http://www.kidlutions.com/awards_winning_products.html

The Nightmare Nibbler Promotes Sweet Dreams

2011-02-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Anyone with a young child can tell you about night time fears that can take hold and sometimes disrupt the sleep of everyone in the household. Nothing good comes from sleep-deprivation, so thank goodness for the Nightmare Nibbler who makes a snack out of bad dreams! This adorable little creature is so incredibly soft and sweet, your child is sure to form a fast friendship with him.

The Nightmare Nibbler was created by Susan Smith, a mom whose own son, Sam, was dealing with nightmares. Susan soon discovered, as have many other parents, that Sam's sleep issues affected the whole family. Not to be outsmarted by these unwelcome dreams during her son's slumber, this savvy mama set to work to remedy the situation. The Nightmare Nibbler made his debut and it worked so well for Sam, and for others in Susan's circle, that she wanted to share with others. Hence, the Nightmare Nibbler went global.

The Nightmare Nibbler works for young children, but would also be applicable to older kids who have to undergo scary or painful medical procedures, and particularly to kids that have experienced trauma. For some of these kids, their nightmares come in the daytime.

The Poem

I’m a Nightmare Nibbler who’s on duty through the night,

protecting you from scary things that might give you a fright!

It doesn’t matter what it is, I’m not afraid at all

whether 1 inch, 1 foot or a bazillion feet tall!

You see, as a Nightmare Nibbler all I do is eat,

bad dreams, scary dreams, I think they’re all a treat!

Those dreams do not stand a chance, when I am here with you

since I chew them up and swallow them, before they can say boo!

So hug me tight, close your eyes and wipe away your fears,

I’m here all night to protect you, if anything appears.

Good Night and Pleasant Dreams…

The Nightmare Nibbler contributes to social-emotional development in a big way. When kids learn how to conquer their fears, and master situations that make them feel helpless, their self-confidence soars. Now, that is something to cheer about!

When the Nightmare Nibbler was granted a Kidlutions Preferred Product Award, it marked the momentous occasion of us going international with our award! The Nightmare Nibbler hails from Canada, our neighbor...and we are pleased as punch to be able to showcase great products that promote social-emotional development from around the world!

The Nightmare Nibbler is a Green Parents' List Approved product, which means you can count on it to be safe for your child to snuggle with and drag around. This distinction means that the product was tested using the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

To sweeten the deal even more, every purchase of the Nightmare Nibbler gives back to an organization that ensures a good nights' sleep to children around the world. The Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) organization provides a bedkit that consists of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. Bedkit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs.

We concur with this disclaimer found on the Nightmare Nibbler site: Please seek the advice of a professional if you notice that your child’s nightmares become worse, happen more often or if their fears impact daytime activities.

Teach Your Kids to Think: Simple Tools You Can Use Everyday

2010-12-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

The care and keeping of that precious bundle of joy that you brought home includes feeding the heart, head and soul. Parenting is no small task and the mere thought of all that it entails can sometimes take your breath away.

No fears! Dr. Maria Chesley Fisk has whipped up a quick-serve dish that will change the very way you approach talking to and interacting with your kids. Her book, Teach Your Kids to Think: Simple Tools You Can Use Everyday, provides just the right dose of intellectual and emotional nutrition. Even the most harried of parents are sure to find this book a necessary and pleasurable read.
While the book is small enough to fit a purse, a diaper bag or a jacket pocket, it is big on information. Dr. Fisk has removed unnecessary and excess verbiage, paring things down to the essential and most pleasing parts. Like a delectable piece of cheesecake, this book is rich and satisfying.

Dr. Fisk, in sifting out the erroneous pieces of information, provides you with bite-sized nuggets of parenting wisdom that you can start to use immediately. That is one of the things I most adore about Teach Your Child to Think. Your can read it one minute and implement what you’ve learned the next.

Dr. Maria Chesley Fisk, Ph.D.

Never preachy or academic, Teach Your Kids to Think is a book that is written for real parents, with real kids and it gives real results. Dr. Fisk is an in-the-trenches kind of gal, as she is parenting right along with the rest of us. This book is so user-friendly, even book-shy parents will enjoy it.

Acting as an appetizer, the first part of the book answers why we need to teach our kids to think in the first place.

Dr. Fisk then serves up five main courses:

General Tools for Teaching Thinking Skills
Tools for Teaching Analytical Thinking Skills
Tools for Teaching Creative Thinking Skills
Tools for Teaching Social & Emotional Thinking Skills
Tools for Teaching Practical Thinking Skills

Teach Your Kids to Think teaches parents how to encourage critical thinking skills that will serve a child across his lifetime. Imagining, pretending, considering, being curious about, predicting, and being a little silly and zany are all part of the full package that encompass essential thinking skills. Sprinkle in problem-solving, positive thinking, and more and you have a perfect recipe to grow a thinking child.

All that and I haven’t even gotten to the social-emotional part, which of course, is my personal favorite. Dr. Fisk has left nothing to chance in rounding out this scrumptious book with research-based strategies that will help your children identify and manage big emotions. Here at Kidlutions, we know that social-emotional skills lay the groundwork for all other learning, and we are glad that Dr. Fisk joins us at the table on this one!

Teach Your Kids to Think helps you teach your child to talk to himself in a helpful manner, handle difficult situations, recognize how his actions impact others, and to find motivation. This book can even help your child's school raise money! Now, that's good thinking!

Ahhhhh! When you read Teach Your Kids to Think, you won’t walk away hungry! It’s satisfying, indeed!

Welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Dr. Fisk! Your book is delish!

You can even purchase a copy for use on your Kindle! Click image above!

Open Up a Box of Fun: The Do Tell Game

2010-12-01T21:04:00.000-08:00

Open up a box of fun! Open up the Do Tell Game! It's hard to imagine that your family could be more entertained playing a game other than this one. Even the box shouts excitement! The colorful lid beckons you to open it up and look inside, and once you've flipped off the lid, the fun just never ends.

The Do Tell Game earns a coveted Kidlutions Preferred Product Award because it just exemplifies what social-emotional development is all about. The obvious reason is that it brings families together to talk and laugh in a very meaningful kind of way. The question cards (four whole boxes of them: Do, Tell, Wild and Risk) are ingenious at getting family members to open up, to talk and to delve into conversations that help them get to know each other better than they did before the game started. They also help family members to be silly, let go, step on the wild side and share a good belly laugh.

Fun for all ages. Intergenerational magic!

One of the first things that impressed me with the Do Tell Game, besides its whimsical, vibrant design and spirited game pieces, was the generosity with which this game was created. Literally everything you need to play this game is included, right down to the timer, pencils (ten of ‘em, already sharpened) and paper! Where else do you see that, today? (This fact alone had my youngest son doing back-flips.)

Kathy Jacobson, creator of the Do Tell Game.

It just keeps getting better from there. Kathy Jacobson, the creator of the Do Tell Game, has poured her whole heart and soul into this game. The quality and the richness of the questions asked on the playing cards clearly reflects the time and thought that went into devising this most clever game.

Here is just a sampling of the topics covered in the Do Tell Game, which clearly sets it apart as a game that amps up social-emotional skills:

Handling Conflict
Being Patient
Honor
Positive Thinking
Dealing with Disappointment
Being Flexible
Sadness
Dealing with Mistakes
Self-discipline
Trust
Confidence
Responsibility
Respect

The beauty of it is, the questions and the sentence stems do not seem contrived or blasé. This means that even the sometimes hard to engage tween and teen crowd won't be put off by the game. The questions are so well written, that they draw the reader in and make her really think about how she might respond or react to a given situation.

The entire Do Tell Game team!

But we’ve merely talked about the cards, thus far. There's a whole lot more to the Do Tell Game. Once you add the game board, the timer and various family members, the game just comes alive. Every time you play, the game will be different, and the instructions give you lots of variations for playing. This is one of those items which you could give with confidence as a gift. This game is for everyone, because we all strive to be understood and to understand others.

Currently retailing on Amazon.com for $29.95, this game will bring you a lot of fun for your buck! It's a game that can help your kids do better in school, too. That's because kids with good social-emotional skills tend to do better in all other areas of their lives. But don’t let us convince you, play it once and see for yourself!

Welcome, Kathy, and the Do Tell Game, to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family! We’re so happy to have you aboard! When it comes to the Do Tell Game, everyone is a winner, because building relationships is what life is all about.

Canson and Eric Carle Capture Your Child's Imagination

2010-11-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

"What Do You See?" Colored Construction Paper

Kids. Art. Eric Carle. Blend all three and you have an unbeatable mix of fun, opportunity and the prospect of unlimited exploration. Most important, this line encourages the use of your child's imagination. The unrivaled combination of all three of the aforementioned was not lost on the Canson paper company. When they unveiled their Eric Carle, “What Do You See?” line of eco-friendly papers, they uncovered a whole new world of possibilities for young dreamers and thinkers.

"What Do You See?" Painting Pad

What we like best about Canson’s Eric Carle line is that it allows kids to dream as big as they wish. The theme that is echoed throughout the line is that of open-ended potential. The very premise of “What Do You See?” offers kids a blank canvas upon which they can express their hopes, dreams, fears and concerns. There are no expectations, no demands, no pre-fabbed directions on how a child is to use the "What Do You See?" line. This allows kids to experiment and just enjoy creative endeavors. “What Do You See?” simply invites the budding artist to share his or her internal world with others. And that is pretty powerful.

"What Do You See?" Finger Paint Pad

When kids are given free license to create whatever their hearts' desire and encouraged to share their innermost world on paper, magic happens. When a child takes a blank piece of paper or construction paper and makes a piece of art, a new creation is born. What a celebration of imagination! And using our imagination is a key piece to developing self-regulation, or the ability to control strong feelings. That is social-emotional skill building at its finest!

"What Do You See?" Complete Line

Kids. Art. Eric Carle. Together, they’re just better. And nobody outshines the combination of these three better than Canson's eco-friendly line of “What Do You See?”. That makes this line something that both parents and kids can feel good about.

Congratulations, Canson, and welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family! We are so happy to have you aboard!

"That's Like Me" Brings Possibilities to Life for Kids with LD

2010-10-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

That's Like Me

We all need role models. Somebody to look up to and emulate. Somebody that shows us what can one day be ours, if we put forth the work and dedication necessary.

But what if what you want to become and what you see as your options seem totally at odds with each other? What if you yearn to become a veterinarian, yet cannot put the words together to spell that very thing that you aspire to become?

What if every day were a struggle? What if the words that were before you on a paper danced around until they seemed backwards, inverted, juxtaposed? What if you worked 10 times harder than everyone else and only got half of the return for your efforts?

What if you had LD…or a Learning Difference (also known as a Learning Disability)? What if the very nature of your Learning Difference closed in on you and narrowed the choices of what you could wish for, dream of, become?

What if you didn’t know of any other person who had the same Learning Difference you did and succeeded despite and in spite of it? What if you lacked a role model?

Such has been the case for many children and teens that have lived with Learning Differences. But, that’s all changed now.

Jill Lauren, BS, MA

In her book, “That’s Like Me”, Jill Lauren, BS, MA, takes the myths associated with Learning Differences and stands them on their head. She flips them around, inverts them and juxtaposes them next to the real stories of individuals who have overcome the obstacles that can be associated with Learning Differences.

People with Learning Differences can become firemen, Arctic explorers, wrestlers…and yes, even veterinarians. Lauren shares the story of 15 real people, all of whom live with LD, expanding their horizons and living out dreams.

"That’s Like Me", while written for tweens and teens that struggle with LD, is a beacon of hope for all of us. It demonstrates what anyone can accomplish when they have determination and the will to accomplish a dream.

But what if a tween or teen that this book is meant for has a Learning Difference in the area of reading? Fear not! Jill Lauren thought of everything. "That's Like Me" is written at a third grade level, but it looks every bit the part of a tween or teen book. Thus, the struggling reader can even find success while perusing this book!
Welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Jill. "That’s Like Me" exemplifies social-emotional skills because it is a lesson in perseverance, belief, hope, and the refusal to allow circumstances to dictate one’s options in life.

"That's Like Me" is a treasure for those needing a successful role-model with LD, and even for those that just need a role-model in perseverance and dogged determination. It’s a book for all of us.

Kleen Slate Concepts

2010-10-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's erasable. It's portable. It's fun.

The Kleen Slate was originally developed for use in the schools for math, writing and other such academic pursuits. But why end there? It's unstoppable when it comes to helping kids deal with feelings, handle big emotions and work out things that might weigh heavy on their minds.

The Kleen Slate paddle for drawing, writing, dreaming and more provides the perfect palette for kids, tweens and teens to do all of the above. It offers hours of fun and creative expression when it comes to having your kids communicate about their inner worlds. Want a peek into your child’s psyche? Hand him a Kleen Slate and let him go to town.

One of the neatest things about the Kleen Slate, is that one side is completely blank. It doesn't provide a prompt or lead a kid in any way. Kids are free to journal on it to get their thoughts out...and POOF!...just like that, they can erase it all. This is a huge boon to kids who may like to "bottle up" their feelings because they are afraid of upsetting somebody or getting into trouble. The Kleen Slate offers a great place to get those feelings out, yet be able to erase them as well. No harm, no foul.

The round paddle seems like it was made for drawing faces. It provides the perfect silhouette for the human face to take shape and show off a little emotion. Sad, mad, glad…none of them are bad. Feelings simply are. And here at Kidlutions, we believe that feelings make the world go round. And we know that mastering those feelings leads to success. Kleen Slate provides the perfect tool to do it all. And since there is no waste after all of the angst, sadness or joy is “drawn out”, the Kleen Slate earns high marks as being eco-friendly, as well.

The other side of the paddle has lines for writing. This is the perfect place for kids to carve out plans, make goals, or maybe write out a solution to what is troubling them. They can draw a face that depicts their inner-world on one side, then flip over the Kleen Slate and write out how they can solve the current situation and deal with their feelings on the other. A kid who can do that is learning skills that will last a lifetime. Talk about empowerment, confidence and a can-do attitude. It’s all included in that simple, yet, insightful activity.

The Kleen Slate has so much applicability to helping kids “draw out” whatever is on their minds, that it was even used for group sessions for kids when Hurricane Katrina decimated parts of Louisiana. Kleen Slate was also put through rigorous testing in my very own office. I have used it as part of the intervention for traumatized children and families. The Kleen Slate performed beautifully in even dismal-seeming circumstances. It offered a bright, cheerful and non-threatening way to open up conversations about some really tough stuff.

The founder of Kleen Slate, Julia Rhodes, is no stranger to being a socially and emotionally well-adjusted individual herself. She takes part of her profits from Kleen Slate and donates it to programs to help make the world a better place! Who amongst us hasn’t at one time or another needed a clean slate? Well, now you can have one both figuratively and literally!

Welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Kleen Slate. We’re so proud to have you!

2010-09-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to FAMILY FIRST for doing a feature on our Kidlutions Preferred Product Award!

We are so proud of all of our winners and the work they do on behalf of helping raising the next generation of socially and emotionally capable adults! Hats off to all of you!

Around the Table Games: Family Talk and Buddy Talk

2010-09-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Talk! Talk some more! Keep talking!

Family Talk and Buddy Talk by Around the Table Games is on a mission to help the world do just that. In this day of mass electronic connection, our ability to engage and interact with each other in "real-time" seems to have taken a back-seat to high-tech communication...and that is not necessarily a benefit to our children.

Family Talk and Buddy Talk can get your family and your kids talking. And talking is good. Learning how to interact with each other, take another person's perspective and to listen and respond are critical skills to social and emotional development. And with Family Talk and Buddy Talk, it's all in there. They've managed to pack it all into those little pint-sized cards on a caribiner clip, that you can take anywhere! Trains, planes and automobiles...campsites, bedrooms and kitchens...anywhere people can go, Family Talk and Buddy Talk can go, too!

Better yet, there are no activation fees, no monthly minute restrictions and no "dead zones". Best of all, there are no batteries required. We're talking good old-fashioned fun and games, only with a modern twist. The bright and cheery cards will draw your family towards them...and the ingenious and well thought out questions will keep them coming back!

The ability to handle difficult, challenging or upsetting situations, as well as to think things through are skills that will last a lifetime. Helping our children build a foundation of these social-emotional skills in childhood is an unparalleled gift that parents can give. And with the proper tools, like Family Talk and Buddy Talk, it's both fun and easy to do just that.

But what if your kids seem to answer in monosyllabic responses that leave much to be desired? No worries. Family Talk and Buddy Talk have a built-in, fool-proof way to get them really talking. Each card asks open-ended, thought-provoking questions that really get your kids to open up. The cards are non-threatening, yet really have a way of getting to the heart of the matter.

These talking cards cover a broad range of issues that all stack up nicely to contribute to building character, encouraging empathy and understanding, as well as introspection. They get kids and families talking about feelings, concerns, hopes and dreams in a way that is neither contrived nor forced.

In short...Family Talk and Buddy Talk cards put the FUN in functional. And that's what the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award is all about.

We are so excited to have Family Talk and Buddy Talk join the family of Kidlutions Preferred Product Award winners. When you play a game by Around the Table Games, everybody wins!

The Pocket Referee

2010-09-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

The Pocket Referee: Antique Finish

Once upon a time there was a dad. His name was George Vraney...and like many dads, he tired easily of the stress and strain caused by whining, bickering, arguing and complaining. So, he swung into action, finding a way to stymie the insanity and restore peace to his kingdom. And it was very good.

Fast forward several years and the peace in the kingdom comes to a screeching halt. Grandchildren enter stage left and the age-old sibling squabbles takes up with a new generation. Jennifer recalls the "magic coin" her father had invented decades earlier and she and her dad set out to not only restore the peace to their own kingdom, but to neighboring kingdoms across the land.

The birth of The Pocket Referee heralded the beginning of restored order to lands near and far...well, at least as far as the ear can hear!

~The End~

The Pocket Referee: Gold Finish

Dr. George Vraney, now a semi-retired physician, is a weaver of stories so fantastical that he convinced his two daughters, Jennifer and Amy that he had a magical coin that could help them settle disputes. He found an elaborate way to engage them in the use of this coin, which really worked wonders.

With the help of daughter Jennifer, his original idea has now evolved into The Pocket Referee. It is one of the smallest, quietest and least invasive products around that helps kids deal with daily conflict and personal choice-making. Imagine your kids being able to settle disputes without having to drag you into it. Picture, if you will, your kids quietly negotiating who gets the front seat or who gets to pick the movie.

While Dr. Vraney may have spun a tale of momentous proportions, he was spot-on with one thing. The coin has magical properties. And they have somehow managed to get it into every single one of The Pocket Referee coins.

The best thing about The Pocket Referee? It keeps parents from feeling compelled to intervene in every sibling situation. When we are quick to step in to solve these daily dilemmas for our little darlings, something is lost in the translation. We rob our children of the chance to think critically, to problem-solve, to negotiate, and to develop the ability to compromise and come up with a win-win situation. (Can you think of any adults who might have difficulty with any of the above? That's what I thought!)

All of the above mentioned skills are crucial characteristics of social-emotional development, that have predictive qualities for our children's future success and happiness in life. When we allow our kids the opportunity to learn how to engage their brains and think for themselves, we provide them with a skill that will serve them well throughout their lifetimes. (Think board meetings, negotiating big deals, and just being a decent human being.)

Ah! But, you may be thinking..."Right! I could never imagine my kids doing any of the above. Not without a referee in the room!" You might be right, and it's called The Pocket Referee.

This ingenious coin holds more peace and serenity than you can imagine. The coin, either gold or antique finish, comes with it's own velvet carrying pouch and caribiner clip. The coin is larger than a regular minted coin and has a nice weight to it. It can go wherever your kids go, and it's properties are magical.

The premise is simple and easy to follow: One child is the keeper of the coin. When a squabble comes up, the keeper of the coin can get her way, but she must then relinquish the coin to the other sibling. Or, she can decide to pass on this issue and hold onto the coin for a more important matter in the future.

The Pocket Referee gives one other huge boost to social-emotional development and that is delayed gratification. Being able to hold off and wait for something is another major life skill that figures prominently in one's success. (Remember that little experiment with the marshmallows?) When a child weighs her options and decides to hold onto the coin and pass on getting her way, she has just practiced delayed gratification.

When kids learn how to resolve conflict with their siblings, plan ahead, exercise good judgment and live with the impact of their own decisions, they are gaining skills that will last a lifetime. There's a whole lot of thinking going on inside of those little heads when they have to decide if they are going to keep the coin for another occasion, or get their way and pass the coin.

When kids use The Pocket Referee, they are no longer counting on mom or dad to do all of their thinking for them. They are learning to trust their own inner-voice and they learn more each time they use it.

We are pleased to welcome the Vraney family into the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family. Up with social-emotional development, up with The Pocket Referee!

Signing Families(tm) Helps Grow Great Kids!

2010-08-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Kidlutions(tm) Preferred Product Award winning DVD:
"Baby, Toddler, and Preschool Sign Language" by Signing Families(tm).

The unstoppable Louise Masin Sattler, Nationally Certified School Psychologist and founder of Signing Families(tm) has produced a DVD worthy of two parental thumbs-up. This film isn’t coming soon to theatres near you, but it should be. It should also be one of the loop tapes that play from kiosks in grocery stores and malls, as well as on electronic billboards in metropolitan areas.

The inimitable Louise Masin Sattler, founder of Signing Families(tm)

Signing Families(tm) “Baby, Toddler, and Preschool Sign Language” DVD is a clear and convincing choice for our Kidlutions(tm) Preferred Product Award. Our reviewers knew just seconds into the 35 minute DVD, that this product excelled when it came to helping kids develop social and emotional literacy. That initial hunch got more convincing as the DVD played on.

Communication is a key aspect to getting our needs met, expressing ourselves and building relationships. And of course, all of that is directly tied to social emotional development. But, what if a child is too young to talk, has delays that inhibit speaking or has other conditions or factors that mitigate verbalizing their needs? Frustration. Irritation. Tantrums. Explosions.

The “Baby, Toddler, and Preschool Sign Language” DVD helps you help your child reduce frustration and increase cooperation. In her own inimitable style, Louise will have you signing with the best of them. She’ll give you quick, easy ways to remember the signs and she spends plenty of time explaining the origin of most of the signs. All of this helps anchor the signs in your memory, meaning easier recall and a smooth transition to teaching your child!

You’ll have your youngster learning how to share, take-turns, clean-up, pay attention, wait, and use caution sooner than you can say "jump"! Louise even teaches the sign for “STOP”, but, as any admirable psychologist would do, reminds us that using the sign too much will make it lose its effectiveness! Save that sign, and that word, for times when it is really necessary!

This DVD is appropriate for use in the home or the school setting. Parents, as well as teachers will find applicability to their respective settings, and will be able to utilize what is taught on this DVD.

Louise remembered all of the important words to increase social awareness and courtesy, too, helping you teach your youngster the signs for “please”, “thank-you”, “sorry” and “you are welcome.” You’ll teach your child how to ask for help or indicate they are hurt, as well!

Of course, to be worthy of a Kidlutions Preferred Product Award, there must also be a link to helping kids recognize, identify and/or deal with feelings. Yep! It's in there, too! The “Baby, Toddler, and Preschool Sign Language” DVD features 50 English signs, numbers 1-10, the ABCs, as well as Spanish words and numbers in sign, as well.

When she isn’t busy signing, or training teachers and parents on the merits of signing, Louise spends time entertaining the masses on her radio show, “Learning and Laughter with Louise”, which airs Wednesdays at 8 a.m., Central Standard Time, on Toginet Radio.

Welcome, Louise and Signing Families, to our Kidlutions(tm) Preferred Product Awards family. We're so proud of all of your accomplishments and pleased to have you join us!

Worry Woos™: Monsters that Matter!

2010-08-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

Emotions can swirl up inside of kids and cause upsetting and confusing times. Frequently, kids may feel as if they are the only ones experiencing certain problems. With few life experiences and limited coping skills from which to draw, kids can become overwhelmed with it all.

Enter the Worry Woos™ ! Like a fairy godmother with a magic wand, the Worry Woos™ have the power to change things!

Never before have such cuddly charmers warmed their way into the hearts of both kids and adults, creating clarity during uncertain times, a safe harbor in which to explore and contemplate some common, yet perplexing concerns. The Worry Woos™ are an ingenious answer to all of the above. They are the spectacular creation of Andi Green, a woman who is clearly no stranger to the social-emotional realm.

With great aplomb, Ms. Green tackles issues with friendship and loneliness, feeling confident and accepting of personal differences, as well as feeling brave, courageous and secure in oneself. The Worry Woos™ themselves are endearing plush figures. They are as unique as the stories that go with them. The approach is magical and the text is lyrical. Ms. Green's illustrations in the hardcover books seem to come alive as you are reading them. The rhyming text flows beautifully and slips under the radar of even the most skeptical kids, and touches their hearts in a way that will change them forever.

There is a Worry Woo™ for everyone. Worry Woos™ belong in the hands of every child, parent, teacher, counselor, therapist and human being. I wouldn't limit the Worry Woos(tm) as a product for only young children, either. I see their applicability to tweens, teens and yes, even adults. The stories are powerful and non-preachy. They get their point across and the story stays with the reader long after the book is put down.

So, without further ado, I give you Rue:

Rue is lovely and perfect just the way he is. Problem is, he doesn't know it. It takes him awhile to see and embrace his uniqueness, and yes, to even celebrate it. Rue's one-of-a-kind story is "The Nose That Didn't Fit". This book and plush would be perfect for any child, tween, teen or adult grappling with a physical feature of their own that sets them apart from others, makes them unique or different. Actually, this set would be good for any youngster at all. This is true because oftentimes, kids will struggle in silence about something that they feel makes them "different".

Next, take a peek at Squeek:

Squeek will waste no time making fast friends with whomever encounters him. In true Worry Woos™ fashion, he is charming and non-threatening. Squeek shows kids and others how to break free of self-imposed limits, how to let go of whatever they have allowed to hold them back and to SOAR! Squeek's story is titled, "The Monster in the Bubble", and it is highly recommended for kids who may be dealing with fears and anxiety. It's true that the book and plush would also benefit, well, just about anyone who picked it up and read it!

Finally, let's say hola to Nola:

Nola struggles with loneliness in her book, “The Lonely Little Monster”. She shows all of us how to look around and see that what we are searching for may be right under our noses. Lessons are woven throughout the fabric of the story with multiple layers. I read the book several times and could find new meaning each time. The same is true of all of the Worry Woos™ books I read.

We are so proud to have the Worry Woos™ as part of our Kidlutions Preferred Product Award™ family. The books and plush characters embody everything that this award stands for...helping kids cope, handle feelings, and succeed! Congratulations Worry Woos™ and we look forward to seeing all of your future endeavors!

For the rest of you, my wish is that you, too, find a way to embrace your inner Woo!

.

Kidlutions Preferred Product Award

2010-07-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

There's a whole lot going on behind the scenes at Kidlutions(tm) Preferred Product Awards. Of course, we know that all of our winners are the cat's meow when in comes to championing the social-emotional realm in children's lives. We're so sure, that we're shouting it from the rooftops and people are listening!

We've completed several radio interviews where we discuss our award and have just completed a couple of press interviews regarding it. We'll be featured in a major media outlet for an upcoming holiday spread on gift-giving. We'll also be appearing in some regional parenting magazines on topics related to social-emotional development. Other media ventures are also brewing...so we'll keep you in the know!

Social-emotional development is not just some fad that seems like a "good idea"...it is a crucial area of growth that determines how successful we are in life. Plenty of research backs that up.

Kidlutions(tm) is proud to be the first award of its kind in the industry that honors exemplary products that specifically and intentionally promote social-emotional development and literacy!

Congratulations, again to all of our winners! We can't wait to unveil some of our newest products that are currently under review!

Grow Good Kids with Bingzy and Bing Note Products!

2010-07-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, that every school child would know the likes of Bingzy!

Bingzy, the fun-loving character for Bing Note’s series on social and emotional development will warm his way into every child’s heart as he teaches important social-emotional skills to the PreK-Second Grade crew. Early childhood is a key time to begin intentionally teaching these concepts and Bingzy does it in a way that is non-threatening, fun and easy to remember. Those factors all add up to some incredible products…worthy of the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award.

We test-drove the “That’s BINGZY! Let’s Talk About It Discuss & Do Activities” and “That’s BINGZY! Busy Building Self-Esteem: Sing with Me - Book & CD” and WOW, we can’t say enough good things about them!

It’s one thing to tell a child, “Be nice, play fair,” or “Believe in yourself, you can do it,” and an entirely different thing to SHOW them how to do it. Bing Note products and BINGZY do that in spades. With activities, worksheets, talking points, a story and songs, these products cant help but grow good kids!

There are many, many curriculums out there for which you can pay hundreds of dollars to teach kids social-emotional skills. What we like about this workbook and story/songbook, is that it is accessible to both teachers for classroom and daycare use, as well as to parents for home use. It can be used with ease in all types of settings.

The website for Bing Note shares the following:

"Bingzy! Let’s Talk About It – Discuss & Do Activities" and "Bingzy! Picture Book & CD" helps kids become:

STRONG, POWERFUL, HEALTHY, LOVING, HARMONIOUS, CREATIVE, SUCCESSFUL, AND HAPPY.

According to Bing Note’s website:

The activities were created by a group of experienced teachers who have taught children for numerous years. These activities have proven to be effective learning tools in the classroom, in small group settings, and one-on-one.

Includes 48 activities plus additional discussion questions.
Developed by award-winning teachers!
Grades PreK – 2

Some of the topics include:
Feeling Discouraged: Keep Trying – I AM STRONG
Gaining Knowledge Through Reading – I AM POWERFUL
Learning The Food Groups – I AM HEALTHY
Giving Gifts From The Heart – I AM LOVING
Including Others At Playtime – I AM HARMONIOUS
Recycling:Other Uses For Plastic Water Bottles – I AM CREATIVE
Starting The Day Being Organized – I AM SUCCESSFUL
Helping Others Makes You Happy – I AM HAPPY

With Bingzy and Bing Note Products, you’ll get a surefire way to help your children develop crucial social-emotional skills. And you’ll do it for a most reasonable price.

Find the Bing Note crew around the web at:

Bing Note Website - Be sure to visit for some great printables on all things self-esteem related!
Twitter - Sweet tweets by the Bing Note gang
Facebook - Fun, fast, easy tips to grow good kids!

Congratulations, Bing Note and welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family! We’re so happy to have you aboard!

The Music of Rachel Rambach of Listen & Learn

2010-06-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.listenlearnmusic.com/

Looking for a great way to help your child learn about and handle emotions, social situations and being the best he can be? Look no further than the music of Rachel Rambach, MM, MT-BC, Board Certified Music Therapist. We couldn’t help but take notice of Rachel’s phenomenal work, all housed at her website Listen & Learn. Aptly named, her music bypasses “telling” kids what to do, and gets up under the radar of even the most resistant kid, engaging them in a fun and memorable way. Most importantly, her music teaches kids the important life skills that will help them be more successful in life!

Rachel’s fabulous collection of songs can be tailor made into an album that best meets the needs of your child. You can choose from a whole host of songs that relate to your child’s developmental needs. These songs work well for children of any ability and can be very instrumental in helping children on the Autistic Spectrum, as well as kids with ADHD to grasp concepts and commit them to memory.

Rachel has covered some of the hugely important aspects of helping kids gain emotional insight and control. Her melodic voice draws you in and leaves you wanting more. While you may purchase these songs for your child’s benefit, we think you’ll find the tunes so catchy that you’ll find yourself humming them over and over, too!

Some of the topics that Rachel tackles include:

~ Maintaining a positive attitude

~ Manners

~ Making friends

~ Giving compliments

~ Dealing with feelings

~ Handling difficult feelings

~ Listening and getting work done/practicing to improve

The list goes on and on. There is no end to what you can help your child accomplish through the music of Rachel Rambach of Listen & Learn. Don’t take our word for it, though. Go check it out yourself. We think you’ll agree!

What’s better, you can listen to all of her tracks before you buy and download them immediately for use on an MP3 player, or have them burned to a disc and mailed to you. We think that once you visit the Listen & Learn website, you’ll go back again and again.

Rachel’s work contributes so much to the social-emotional development of children…and that’s music to OUR ears! We think Rachel is a shining star! Congratulations, Rachel, on earning the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award!

Teaching Kids How to Be BRAVE:

2010-03-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

It’s not always easy being a kid. That’s why it’s a good thing there’s "BRAVE: Be Ready and Victory’s Easy: A Story About Social Anxiety". This clever book was written specifically to help kids deal with social anxiety. This book reads as a delightful novel, yet dishes out sound advice to kids in keeping with best practices when it comes to social anxiety.

Written by Marjie Braun Knudsen and Jenne R. Henderson, Ph.D, and published by Summertime Press, this book pulls you in and gives you a glimpse at what it is like to deal with childhood anxiety. Danny, the book’s main character deals with fears regarding school, the bus stop and speaking in front of others, amongst others. The authors even cover the realistic issue of dealing with sibling rivalry when you are a kid with anxiety.

Danny is a likeable, believable character, for whom the reader can’t help but cheer on. In BRAVE, Danny is a fifth grader who learns how to navigate all of these challenging situations in way that is reachable to every child. Children with anxiety who read this book will readily identify with Danny and see how close they themselves can be to overcoming their own issues with anxiety.

They only need to institute the ingenious formula of BRAVE:

Be
Ready
And
Victory's
Easy

While this book was written to help kids deal with social anxiety, I find that it would benefit EVERY child. The book is rich with lessons and ideas that could help ANY child become more confident and successful. But wait…there’s more…I also think that adolescents and adults can glean something from the wisdom imparted from this book. This is true both personally, as well as professionally. Replace fifth grade Danny with Robert, CEO of ABC Company, Inc, who is tense and nervous due to an impending presentation regarding acquisitions, tweak a few of the other characters and settings in the story…and this book appeals to the masses!

This book is a true gem and not to be missed. It should be on the bookshelf of every kid, teacher, parent and counselor. It can easily be read at home as a family, to a whole classroom by a teacher or used for bibliotherapy by a counselor.

Don’t have a copy yet? You can grab one right here:

Personal Child Stories...as unique as your child

2009-12-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Shara Lawrence-Weiss

Founder, Personal Child Stories

http://www.personalchildstories.com/

Personal Child Stories. The name is self-explanatory. The result is simply amazing. These books are so personalized that you would think that Shara Lawrence-Weiss, the creator of PCS, knows each of the children for whom she writes the books. Clearly, she does her homework when it comes to their creation.

The stories are creative and the prose is catchy. Each book stars your child as the main character, with a storyline that relates to whatever you wish. PCS books can assist you in helping your child adjust to any number of transitions:

~ a new sibling
~ preparing for surgery or other medical procedures
~ understanding death
~ behavioral issues
~ coping with divorce
~ dealing with moving
~ special needs of any sort
~ being a sibling of a special needs child
~ or any other issue that you are helping your child tackle

PCS, the brainchild of Lawrence-Weiss, grew out of a very personal need to help her own child cope with a medically-related issue. You can read about it here.

The books are child-proof and virtually indestructible. They are ring-bound, laminated and very sturdy. They can be written on and easily wiped off. That makes them even more perfect than traditional "paper" books.

While holding these books in my hands to review, I could almost feel the love that was poured into them. REALLY! They were sweet, with a very powerful message.

PCS books build self-esteem, encourage social and emotional development and help kids solve problems. With your child as the main character, a PCS book is sure to become one of his or her favorite reads.

To get a glimpse at just how well-crafted these books are, take a peek at one of my faves. It’s a bittersweet memoir of a little girl’s beloved dog. Be sure to get the tissues…you’ve been warned. After viewing this, and others available on the PCS site, you'll see why they were a natural for the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award.
You can also see a short video of a child reading her own PCS book, too:

While the books I reviewed were created for younger children, I personally witnessed an almost 10-year-old and a 12-year-old enthralled with them. (Note that the books were not even about them...they featured other children.) Following is a conversation between the two kids that I overheard, "Wow. How cool is that? These are neat!" "I know, I really like these!"

These books are more than books, they are treasures...and because they are so durable, they are also family heirlooms. You won't find 'em in a store, though...you'll only find them at Personal Child Stories.

Middle School Confidential Series by Annie Fox, M.Ed.

2009-12-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Do you remember middle school? If you do, chances are you recall the desire to fit in, wondering if you were “normal”, wondering how to navigate ever-more complex social relationships and how to remain true to yourself in the face of growing peer pressure. Middle school can be tough…but thankfully, the tweens of today have a stroke of luck and genius in a series of books by Annie Fox, M.Ed.

If your tween reads only one thing, make sure it is authored by Annie Fox. Two of her books have been recognized by Kidlutions Preferred Product Award for their excellence in helping tweens deal with the social and emotional issues that are pervasive during these crucial developmental years. Far from boring black and white print, these books are colorful, lively and engaging. I found the books hard to put down, and I am way beyond my middle school years!

Never preachy or parental, Fox writes from a place of genuine concern for the younger generation, in a style that is both upbeat and down to earth. Add in Fox’s expertise, and you’ll find books that speak to the heart of everything that matters to the tween population.

Be Confident in Who You Are (Middle School Confidential Series) (Bk. 1)Be Confident in Who You Are: Book 1 - Addresses body image, fitting in, advertising’s effect on teens, dealing with teasing and bullying, normalizing thoughts, setting limits, anger, assumptions, fact -vs.- opinion, and self-esteem, amongst other things.

I particularly love the “Mental Movies” part, where Fox walks tweens through how to “unplug” from negative thinking patterns.

Real Friends vs. the Other Kind (Middle School Confidential)Real Friends -vs.- the Other Kind: Book 2 - This book, like the title implies, deals with all thing related to friendship and being friends. Fox helps readers identify the difference between real friends and those that aren’t so real. She provides useable information on avoiding and managing difficult relationship issues such as lying, rumors, being let down, peer pressure, helping a friend that needs it, dealing with crushes, personal safety rights, assertiveness, how to make friends and more.

I love the concrete and real coping skills that kids can put to use immediately in their lives.

BOTH of these books are chock-full from cover to cover with such great information. I was so impressed with the sheer number of issues that Fox tackled and even more surprised on how truly user-friendly and digestible the information was.

These books should be on the bookshelves of every middle school counselor and parent of tweens.

Book number three in this series will be released soon. Here is a quick video preview of it:

(Interestingly enough, these books would be appropriate for anybody aged tween and above...tweens, teens, and even adults that still struggle with these issues.)

As an added bonus, Fox fields questions from tweens and teens on her website. Your tween/teen can access "Hey, Terra!" here.

ScareMeNots(tm)

2009-12-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

If you have a preschooler, you know all about the power of the mighty monster…that little “creature feature” that stalls bedtime and makes for late-night calls for mom and dad. It’s a universal trait that most children will experience….and therefore, a universal sleep-stealer that almost every parent can relate to.

According to Jean Piaget (1896-1980), Swiss psychologist and philosopher, the ages of two to four are characterized by reason being dominated by perception. This creates a ripe breeding ground for such things as nighttime fears. Knowing one of the reasons that kids have such fears does little to make them exit stage left, however.

Enter ScareMeNots(tm) , an ingenious stuffed creation by Innovative Toys, Inc., that is the talk of the town for tots and tykes with unwelcome nocturnal visitors.

When it comes to ScareMeNots(tm), it’s all about the tail. Each of the ScareMeNots(tm) have a long tail and two Velcro strips (at tip and midpoint) that allow the monster-chasers to hang from door handles, closet or curtain rods, chair backs, etc. Placing the tail between the box spring and mattress, allowing the ScareMeNot(tm) to hang down and peer under the bed, is also an effective way to keep monsters at bay.

They are equally happy to sit on dressers, inside toy boxes or under furniture, or just to snuggle up in bed with your child. ScareMeNots will keep their eyes wide open (often several of them!), to stay on the watch against monsters while your child –and you—get a good night’s sleep.

The lineup for the ScareMeNots(tm) includes:

Protector Patty is the current chairman of M.A.M.A (Mothers Against Monster Activity).

Valiant Valerie possesses all the monster detection and preventive intuition of her parents

Protector Patty and Guardian Gus. Zapping monsters is in Valiant Valerie’s DNA.

Defender Dave is the founder of S.M.N.(Scare Me Not). He is 100% I.C.U. (I See You) certified from the world renowned M.P.S.A. (Monsters Preventative Services of America).

Guardian Gus, with an extra eye in each hand, is ideal for spotting monsters around corners and under beds.

Fearless Fred was recently awarded the Big Badge of Bravery from the M.P.S.A. (Monsters Preventative Services of America) for the apprehension (fancy word for zapping) of the notorious Snackfoot Monster.

Watchdog Wally is the star of our k-9 protection division at S.M.N. (Scare Me Not). He has been trained to keep his high tech nose into the wind scanning for monsters.

View a video of the ScareMeNots(tm) here:

Watch TDmonthly Video

If you've got a preschooler, or know someone who does, we recommend the ScareMeNot(tm) stuffed doll. You'll thank them in the morning!

Caution: ScareMeNots(tm), while meant to help the young'uns deal with nighttime fears, is also very appealing to the tween and teen crowd. I know of a 12-year-old girl who has "Watchdog Willie" perched on her armoire in her bedroom, because, "He's just sooooooo cute!"

Who can argue with that?

Congratulations Innovative Toys, Inc., on your Kidlutions Preferred Product Award!

Cheryl Melody Changes the World One Note at a Time...

2009-12-02T20:51:00.000-08:00

For over 25 years singer/songwriter Cheryl Melody, B.M.ED., MA, has been bringing music to life. Melody, as she is known by her friends, is filled with both passion and compassion, which seems to come through each note of her music. Cheryl's music has garnered a Kidlutions Preferred Product Award for two sets of three CD's.

The first set includes (for early childhood):

Let's Pretend and More (Ages 4-7)
Songs that Make the Heart Feel Good (2-8...and for those young at heart)
Peek-a-Boo, I Love You (Birth - age 5)

These CD's boast a broad range of offerings, with an upbeat mix of both songs and stories. Some songs are classics and some are Melody's own creations. She includes a beautiful blend of mulitcultural songs from around the world, that can provide a wonderful conduit for a child's imagination. No matter which of these CD's you purchase (or better yet, if you get all three), you can be sure that you are buying a product that will bolster your child's self-esteem, nurture their hearts, improve their social and listening skills and enhance their creativity. Melody even teaches kids how to be their own best friend.

A bonus is the foot stomping, hand clapping, finger tapping, singing, dancing good time that is guaranteed in all of Melody's works. These songs have far reaching effects...and will stay with your child for years to come. One child who listened to these CDs at bedtime as a preschooler at the age of 4, still remembers the lyrics to many of the songs as a fourth-grader. Now that's staying power.

The second set includes (for elementary aged up):

Friends Forever (ages 4/5-grade 2/3)
Celebrate (Ages 5-adults)
World Peace: The Children's Dream (Ages 5-10)

In this set of CD's, Melody conquers some big issues, such as character-building, self-respect, respect for others, bullying, conflict-resolution, anti-bias, world peace and more. All of this is handled in a way that is accessible to young people and helps them think about the impact they have on others, as well as the difference they can make. These CD's empower kids to make good choices and to be "change-makers".

Once the CDs are purchased, some of the CD's have FREE downloadable lyrics, lesson plans and MORE that complement the music and stories.

Melody's life's work has been to teach others a kinder, more gentle way of being in this world. It is fascinating to read her life's story, which will give you more insight into the driving force behind the music and the message. Visit her site to learn more.

Congratulations, Melody, on your award-winning products.

2009-12-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

FROM DIAPERS TO BRACES, OUR AWARD WINNERS HAVE YOUR BACK!

We recently informed you that Kidlutions Preferred Product Awards were on the verge of being unveiled. Well, unveiled them, we have!

An Ode to Kidlutions Preferred Product Award Winners:

There are so many choices for kids small and tall,
you're bound to find something...that fits one and all
Whether anxious or scared or dealing with feelings
Our award winners have something that you'll find appealing
There's music and books and monster chasers with great facesProducts to help your kids from diapers to braces
There are products that help kids get along with othersAnd products that make us become beaming fathers and mothers
There are things that will help your kids make good decisions
And things that will help them become focused with vision.
So whatever your needs, be they big or they smallThe Kidlutions Preferred Product Award winners can fill them all!

Check out Kidlutions Preferred Product Award winners, just in time for your holiday shopping. Give a gift that makes a difference.

Kidlutions Preferred Product Award WINNERS...

2009-11-16T12:37:00.001-08:00

As promised, here's a first peek at Kidlutions Preferred Product Award winners. Each of these products have passed testing by a child and family therapist (founder of Kidlutions) and mom reviewers from across the nation.

Feel free to click through to find out more about the products. Very soon, we will be shining a light on each of these products individually...telling you what we LOVE and why they can help your child or any child grow in the realm of social-emotional development.

Congratulations to all of our winners! We are proud of your work towards the goal of making this world a better place by changing the world one child at a time.

(Products are listed in the order in which they were received for review. Not every product that was submitted received an award. All products must meet our stringent standards. Individuals who submitted products that did not receive an award will receive feedback as to the reasons their product did not meet our criteria.)

1. The music of Cheryl Melody, B.M.Ed., MA. Cheryl Melody brings you music that makes a difference. Cheryl tackles such topics as helping the very young child feel loved and nurtured to tackling world peace.

2. The music of Rachel Rambach, MM, MT-BC. Rachel is a music therapist, whose CD "Listen and Learn" earned the PPA. Rachel will put a song on your lips and smile in your heart!

3. Marjie Braun Knudsen shows kids how to be B.R.A.V.E. (Be Ready and Victory's Easy) when dealing with social anxiety. This book could help any kid...not just kids with social anxiety.

4. Carl Restivo and the Scare Me Not(tm) gang. Helping a kid with his fear of monsters has never been so fun! Wait till you see!

5. Lisa Love (even her name radiates kindness) and the whole Bing Note group! Bingzy and his crew to the rescue, helping kids deal with feelings, concerns, friendships and more!

6. Annie Fox, M.Ed., rocks it out for the middle school crew with her Middle School Confidential books "Be Confident in Who You Are" and "Real Friends vs. the Other Kind". If you've got a middle school kid, make sure these books are in his/her hands! The third book in this series will be released in January 2010!

7. Shara Weiss at Personal Child Stories has nabbed an award for her personalized, hand-crafted books that are tailor-made for your child. These books can help with just about anything you can imagine, as we will show very soon! Kids love 'em, and so will you!

Thank you all so much for entering and for "shining a light on what is right"! I look forward to posting about each of your products individually. Your products make a difference and so do YOU!

"Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about the things that matter."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

Kidlutions Preferred Product Award to Make Debut...

2009-11-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Kidlutions Preferred Product Award blog! In less than 24 hours, we will be releasing the names of the first "Kidlutions Preferred Product Award" winners. This award has been over two years in the making!

Selected products will have been chosen based upon their ability to assist childrens' growth in the social and emotional domains. The products have been put through rigorous and proprietary testing by a child and family therapist, as well as by a group of parents. These domains of learning are critical, often surpassing one's intellectual quotient (IQ) when it comes to determining one's success in life. Social-emotional development is so critical that many educational curriculums have begun to include it as a mandate.

What this award means to parents: Parents that purchase a product that bears the Kidlutions PPA seal will know that the product is not only entertaining, fun and educational, but that it will also help build their child's social-emotional muscle. That translates into a lot more bang for your buck.

What this award means to educators: Educators that utilize products that bear the Kidlutions PPA seal will know that the product will help meet criteria of social-emotional mandates. This is important in numerous programs across the country, and it is expected that these mandates will continue to grow.

What this award means to retailers: Products that bear the Kidlutions PPA seal will stand out from a sea of similar products. Having already passed the rigorous and proprietary testing of the PPA, it will take the guesswork out of decision making for parents who are wondering which product will help their child progress in the area of social-emotional development.

We applaud our applicants that have embraced the idea of social-emotional learning in their products and look forward to unveiling their names and products tomorrow! Stay tuned!