The Victoria Chart Company: A Winning Way to Teach Kids Life Skills

The Victoria Chart Company: A Winning Way to Teach Life Skills

All parents and educators know the end goal of their efforts is to raise children who are independent, capable, responsible and who can function in the context of relationships with others.  That's a tall order to fill.  Parents and educators also know it takes time, consistency and patience to do all of the above.

Helping Kids Learn to Self-Monitor

Helping kids learn how to self-monitor is the key to increasing their insight and performance.  If the question is, "How do we do all of this," The Victoria Chart Company is the answer. The charts by The Victoria Chart Company are colorful, engaging and beautifully illustrated. They'll make you feel a hundred kinds of happy when you open them up and look at them. I promise! What's more, these charts have been carefully thought out and are developmentally appropriate. Yes and yes!

Everything You Need to Promote Success for Your Child

You can proudly hang these durable charts in any room in your home.  And the company has thought of everything.  When you use a Victoria Chart, you'll get everything you need, delivered right to your doorstep in a complete kit.  Along with the chart, you'll receive reusable stickers (they're really well made) and a specially coated chart that will stand up to the test of time.  You also get materials to adhere the chart to your wall, along with an erasable marker.  It's a one shop stop!



Developmentally Appropriate and Expertly Crafted 

What we really adore is how The Victoria Chart Company provides excellent guidance that is developmentally appropriate and expertly crafted with each chart.  I found myself wanting to high-five the company as I read their messages and information for parents!  It is spot on! These charts bring an air of ease to some of the developmental tasks that can pose struggles in many households.

Winning Charts

While the Victoria Chart Company has several charts to choose from, the following three were submitted and have garnered the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award:

My Growing Up Chart

The Good Night Sleep Tight Chart

The Ultimate Potty Training Chart

My Growing Up Chart 

There are several skills a child must learn before they become adults. Dressing, eating, schoolwork, falling asleep, manners and civility are just a handful of the skills kids need to become successful adults.  Guess what? My Growing Up Chart covers all of them!



This chart can be completely individualized into hundreds of different configurations. There are standard stickers for skill sets common to all kids, and there are also stickers with a blank space for you to write skills more specific to your child. Find it HERE. 

The Good Night Sleep Tight Chart

Joy! If your child is having trouble settling in, keeps calling out after they go to bed at night, has frequent night awakenings and more, the Good Night Sleep Tight Chart may be your ticket to a sound night's sleep for everyone. We all know how important sleep is for everyone's daytime functioning and health.



This chart may well be the thing that helps your child take a step in the right direction. I remember making a sleep chart for my two youngest when they were little.  I assure you, they were nowhere near as fun as The Victoria Chart Company's version.  I wish they had been around then! Find it HERE.

The Ultimate Potty Training Chart

Let's be honest.  This thing called potty training may make you want to ask who's training whom?  So much of this it outside of our control (as are many things, if you haven't noticed)! The Ultimate Potty Training Chart is here to save the day.



Take the struggle out of it.  Use a Victoria Chart Company chart and away your troubles, down the drain. I really couldn't resist. Find it HERE.

Expert Opinion
(excerpted from The Victoria Chart Company site)

According to Dr. Lynne Kenney, PsyD

We use TheVictoria Company Charts with our families because they are developmentally appropriate and geared toward building skills with praise, attachment and encouragement. This is in keeping with our "Bloom Philosophy" that we teach children into new skill development. Thank you warmly for helping families worldwide build skills with love.

What One of Our Reviewers Said

"I think these charts are very visually attractive for children.  I love that they help to deal with all different ages and levels in a child's life.  These are great."

These charts really are wonderful.  Joyful would be one word to describe them!

Victoria Ballard, founder of the Victoria Chart Company,

 and her children.





You're Going to Love The Victoria Chart Company

We think you'll agree, The Victoria Chart Company offers an amazing product at a great value. You'll turn to their products again and again, to support you in your quest to raise responsible and well-adjusted individuals. 

Welcome to the Kidlutions family, Victoria Chart Company. We are so happy to have you on board!



Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids

An On-Call Therapist at Your Fingertips

If you have a child in your house, "Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids" by Dr. Eileen Kennedy Moore needs to be on your bookshelf.  If you can purchase just one item to enhance your parenting this year, this may well be it! This is about as close as you can get to having a therapist on-call as you raise your kids.

You Just Never Know

When you are raising children, you just never know what you are going to come up against.  Some things are pretty standard, and some things may seem insurmountable when you stand face to face with a child whose feelings are bigger than they are.  It may feel overwhelming at times.  No longer does that have to be the case, when you can access expert information from "Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids".

Here's a Sneak Peek 

You can get a feel for what you'll learn in this course right here:

The best news: It's on sale NOW for 70% off when you purchase HERE.
This price is good until Jan. 31, 2015
If you miss this sale, check back again in a month or two. 
It will be on sale about five times during the year. 
You can also write to Dr. Kennedy-Moore via her website, 
www.EileenKennedyMoore.com, 
if you'd like to be notified when the course goes on sale.

You can also find a set of three preview videos on Dr. Kennedy-Moore's site.

What's Included 

There's something for every stage of development in this package. The course is available in DVD, CD, video download, or audio download formats. Inside every set, you'll find the DVD with 12 topics (30 minutes of video each), totaling 6 hours of content, along with a book that has each chapter broken down by topic.  That provides you with a handy reference that you can either watch, listen to, read or all of the above.  This is the whole "therapist at your fingertips" notion we referred to earlier.

Here's the list of topics included on the DVD and in the book:

Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids

(12 half-hour video or audio recordings)

1. Developing Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence

2. Anxiety—The Way Out Is Through

3. How Kids Manage Anger—Positive Discipline

4. Building Authentic Self-Esteem

5. Empathy—The Roots of Empathy

6. What Makes Kids Happy?

7. How Children Make Friends

8. Playing Well with Others

9. Making Up and Breaking Up with Friends

10. Belonging, Status, Popularity, and Rejection

11 Teasing and Bullying

12. Growing up Social in the Digital Age

What One Reviewer Said

"My son is 8 and going through a totally different stage that what I am used to with him.  I believe this video will be perfect for my family.  I love learning all I can about how to raise healthy and happy children."

See? At any age or stage, the content delivered up in this DVD will be a game-changer.

You're Going to Love It

What sets this course apart from so many that you'll find out there, is that Dr. Kennedy-Moore has taken big psychological concepts and translated them into bite-sized, digestible pieces for all of us. Like a friendly next door neighbor (who happens to be an expert), Dr. Kennedy-Moore will have you handling even the trickiest parenting issues with confidence. You're going to love it!

Dr. Eileen Kennedy Moore

Psychologist/Author/Mom of Four

Welcome, Again!

Dr. Kennedy-Moore is no stranger to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Awards, having garnered an award for both What About Me: 12 Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention without Hitting Your Sister and Smart Parenting for Smart Kids in the past.

Welcome back, Dr. Kennedy Moore.  The consistent quality and user-friendly approach you use makes you a fan favorite

Flip2BFit: The Magic is in the Movement



Flip2BFit addresses physical, mental and emotional health!
It's a powerhouse of active fun and front-line weapon
against childhood obesity and low self-esteem!

 

The Magic is in the Movement

 

If childhood obesity, low self-esteem and health are problems (and they are all problems in our society), Flip2BFit and Bakari are the answers! This board game and memory card game offer a powerhouse of  active fun! They are a great way to introduce more exercise and movement into a child's life in a fun and non-threatening way!  And when something is fun, it is more likely to be done.  It's what Kidlutions calls the "Fun and Done" principle.  Consistent movement and exercise is the key to good health.  With Flip2BFit and Bakari, even kids who shy away from movement activities are sure to see how fun fitness can be!

 

The Power to Transform Lives

Flip2BFit products benefit physical, mental and emotional health through their fabulous Flip2BFit boardgame and Bakari Memory game that have the power to transform lives. Creative fitness is where it's at with these two fabulous resources!

Bakari! Improving mind, memory and muscles!

 

 Movement and Fitness Improve Self-Esteem and More

 

A strong body, strong mind and strong sense of self contribute to one's confidence and success.  Who doesn't want that for their child?  When you give a child the tools to achieve these characteristics, you are giving him the key to a better future.  Flip2BFit and Bakari do all of the above!

Movement helps kids work through frustration, tension and grumpy moods! There is no better way to do it than this! It's the approach I'd recommend!

 

Studies have shown that movement helps prevent heart disease, reduce stress, imporove mental health, improve sleep, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels to prevent diabetes.  Kids might not really care too much about that, as much as they care about the fun factor.  Lucky for parents and caregivers everywhere, Flip2BFit has built the fun right in!  Genius!

 

 

 

 

10 Habits of a Healthy Kid

 

Flip2BFit offers these 10 suggestions to help kids lead healthier lives:

1. Be physically active every day
2. Turn off the screens and live your life!
3. Eat smaller amounts
4. Drink water instead of soda or juice
5. Eat plenty of vegetables and some fruit every day
6. Eat less fast food
7. Snack on healthy foods
8. Switch to lowfat (1% or less) milk, cheese and yogurt
9. Get enough sleep
10. Do something healthy every day that makes you feel good

 

 

A Product That Gives Back

 

When you purchase a Flip2BFit product, you are helping to support their mission to improve the lives of children everywhere.  Flip2BFit gives back in numerous ways, including supporting the health of countless children through the following programs:  Fit To Be Kids, The Fit Kids Foundation, CHALK and Fitness For Africa.  Phew! Flip2BFit is a company on the move when it comes to helping others!

 

Welcome to the Kidlutions family of award-winners, Flip2BFit!  We are happy to have you aboard! 

 

The Nightmare Nibbler Noshes Bad Dreams: Double Duty

Nightmares Happen!

Nightmares happen.  The Nightmare Nibbler can help!  Nightmares are common in preschoolers and can be an issue throughout early childhood.  Parents are often besides themselves, trying to figure out a way to make it all stop so the whole family can back to peaceful slumber.

Does Your Child Need a Sleep Makeover?

Do you have a child whose sleep habits could benefit from a little makeover?  Does he wake up during the night seeking support and solace because of another "bad dream"?  Sleep deprivation is a serious health issue that has far reaching effects.  In addition to health issues, lack of sufficient sleep can affect your child's mood, behavior, memory and growth. 

The Nibbler Knows

The Nightmare Nibbler knows just how to take care of bad dreams. He's happy to take the night-shift so that you and your pint-sized person can get all the shut-eye you need. 

More Than a Good Night's Sleep

When the Nightmare Nibbler sets off to work, and your child begins to master his nightmares, he'll get more than a good night's sleep.  You'd be grateful for that, I know, but there's yet another benefit.  When your child can get a handle on his nightmares, he'll be developing a sense of ability to deal with whatever problems come his way.  This sense of mastery is a huge boon to self-esteem!

Keeping Good Company

The Nibbler is a fabulous bedtime buddy, but he's a great daytime companion, as well.  Your child will be sure to make fast friends with the Nibbler.  Don't be surprised if he wants to carry the Nibbler with him everywhere he goes! 

Speaking of good company, the Nibbler has been with us for a year now.  It is his one year anniversary with the Preferred Products Award!  That's one more year of making bedtimes better and more sleep possible!   You can see the original winning post here.  We look forward to celebrating many more years together! 

Norbert Does Double-Duty

Norbert the Nightmare Nibbler has been doing a fine job of keeping nightmares at bay across the land. Now he has some back-up. Not that he needs it, mind you. He's been doing a great job on his own.  But now  he can call in for reinforcement with his very own book, "Norbert the Nightmare Nibbler".

In this whimsical book, Norbert is chosen for a special mission. He is selected to travel from the Nightmare Nibbler Nation down to Earth, where he will keep order in the house and peace throughout the night by gobbling up any nightmares in his path. From the moment he is shuttled to Earth, everyone is granted a tranquil night's slumber.

Norbert noshes nightmares like it's nobody's business.  But that's not all this book is about.  No, there's more to the story than meets the eye. There's a second message to be had.  You're never to small to make a difference!  This book delivers on a number of levels and is the perfect accompaniment to the plush Norbert, who has been winning his way into the hearts of kids and parents everywhere! 

To Norbert, Nightmares are delicious. Just like a full night's sleep would be for you!
Thanks for making a difference in the lives of children and families, Nightmare Nibbler.  Congratulations on your growth and having two products that bear the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award Seal for Social-Emotional Development. 

Every kids needs a Nibbler!

The plush and book are available separately, or together on the Nightmare Nibbler site. 

Smart Parenting for Smart Kids

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)

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!

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!