SensoryEdge Blog Featuring Kids Furniture, Classroom Furniture and Educational Toys

Winter Vacation from School: Know What?

2009-11-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

The holidays are meant to be fun for kids and adults alike, but before you rush out and buy the latest and greatest toys this year, stop and think. You want to choose toys and games your kids will love, but since these may make up the bulk of his playthings for the coming year, you want them to have some educational value as well.

Don't worry, you can find great gifts that will stimulate his brain without being blatantly educational. Your kids won’t even know the difference!

Our favorite kinds of toys for both learning and hours of fun?

Memory Games: These can be as simple as a few cards with various pictures on them, or more complex versions made from a variety of materials and with dozens of numbers, shapes, colors, and pictures for kids to find. This not only enhances memory, but is a fun way to get more than one child involved for some healthy competition.

Blocks and Stacking toys: Kids can use these to create any number of things, encouraging healthy imaginations while enhancing hand eye coordination and find motor skills. They also begin to learn the difference between sizes. For instance, large blocks are better placed at the bottom and smaller blocks on top.

Sorting games: There are several varieties of sorting games to choose from, many of which offer a variety of ways to play. Kids can sort items based on color, numbers, shapes, letters, and other things. This will help your child improve memory and get them ready for beginning school.

Writing and Drawing Sets: You can choose writing sets that are designed to help children learn numbers or letters, or drawings sets which help their imaginations take flight. Both are excellent options for young children because they provide hours of entertainment, while also improving fine motor skills and a sense of creativity. Additionally, studies have shown that children who participate in the arts also have higher math and science scores than those who don’t. So encourage your Picasso to get creative!

Waiting Room Play tables: Whether sand, beads, or water, play tables are a fun way for kids to use their imaginations. They are also perfect for families with multiple young children since larger models can accommodate up to 6 children. Bead tables are also a great tool for teaching colors, counting, and other important skills.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

2009-11-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

Picking out gifts for your children can be a real task, but picking out gifts for someone else's children can be downright tricky. How do you know what they already have? What they like? This can be an especially daunting task if you rarely see the child's parents or feel uncomfortable asking what you should buy.

In this situation it is important that you choose toys that are suitable for children in multiple age groups and that are fairly generalized and timeless. For example, most children love coloring books but your may fair better picking one without any popular cartoon characters or toys as the main focal point. Instead, choose something generic like an animal theme.

Toy Link: Melissa & Doug Puzzles

Books and art supplies are great options for children of almost any age. If you are unsure about the child's exact age or skill level, choose plain drawing paper and crayons or markers instead of a coloring book. You can also go for modeling clay sets, paint sets, easels, and other art supplies.

Toy Link: Kids Art Easels

When picking out books, be sure to choose a general topic that most kids love, such as animals or fables. Although religious themed stories are great for many families, if you don't know the child’s particular spiritual beliefs it's best to ere on the side of caution and go with something secular rather than spiritual.

Board games, puzzles, and small games like dominoes are also great options for kids in various age groups. Assuming you know the general age group of the child, you can choose puzzles and games based on the average skill level of a child that age. If you don't know the age, such as a gift you may be buying for the child of a relative's new significant other, it's better to choose something the child can grow into rather than something he's already outgrown.

Toy Link: Toddler Toys

Videos are also a popular option for children in almost any age group. Choose educational items where available to offer added benefits to the child and win extra points with the mother or father. Just be sure to pick something within the appropriate age group or as close as possible.

Toy Link: My Storytime Bear & Online Content

If you are buying for a family with multiple children and have a limited budget, it is generally a good idea to buy one gift the entire family can share. Depending on your financial situation and the ages of the children, this could be anything from a sand or water table to a simple board or memory game that the children can play together.

The most important thing to remember is that it's not the amount of money you put into the gift, but the thought you put into it. By choosing gifts that are not only fun but educational, you show both children and parents that you care.

Pretend Play in the Classroom

2009-11-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

Pretend play brings out the creativity in children while encouraging them to invent their own ideas and learning cooperative play. Teachers love to see their students engaging in this kind of play because it makes the day go smoother. Having the right items in your school room encourage dramatic play at school. This hub will review some items that will help you enjoy each day as an educator.

Toy Link: Standard Unit Blocks

The possibilities with blocks when it comes to pretend play are endless. One of the most insightful activities a teacher can do with blocks is to dump out some blocks in front of each student and let them decide what to build. Some students will build towers, other students will build pens for their animals, some will build car ramps, and others will build their own unique designs.

Having wooden blocks in the classroom gives teachers many options to engage students in pretend play. Learning about space can result in the building of rockets. Learning letters can result in students "building" their name. Blocks also give students a great way to pretend play together. Learning to share and build on another students idea are lessons that will continue all throughout the education process.

Toy Link: Classroom Rugs

The following comments are from teachers and explain how classroom rugs help them and their students:

We spend most of our day sitting on the carpet for lessons, calendar, morning meeting, and music

Kids learn best with hands and feet on activities

We like to it upon the rug for lessons, to talk about our feelings, to play games, to listen to stories, and to sing songs. This meeting space brings us all together, and fuels our sense of community

Having a nice, clean, spacious, rug fills us with pride in our learning environment. The children sit on a rug in front of the white board to practice phonics, block and center time and story time

A classroom rug adds an attractive, inviting area for the children to sit and read books when they have completed desk assignments. It also provides a place to gather for interactive hands on Science activities

These little energetic bodies need their space defined on the rug. They are learning to be good listeners and respect the personal space of their peers. A rug with defined lines will help us accomplish this goal

Rug time helps us transition from one activity to the next. We spend a lot of time on the rug singing, reading and listening to stories

The bigger size of this rug helps students sit on the floor without disrupting one another and it also provide them with educational experiences.

They love to lay on the reading rug in our classroom library and relax and read. We usually do story time and class discussions on the reading rug. We spend a lot of our class time on the reading rug

A rug allows my students their own personal and easily identifiable space during group gathering time. It will also assist in organizing students into cooperative learning groups. The rug will come to life in our classroom and enhance our learning atmosphere

A welcoming rug enhances their love for reading and writing. A rug will be the focal point of the classroom

Toy Link: Wooden Book Displays

Having book displays in the classroom give students the perfect setting to play library or book store. This kind of play will encourage students to read and become interested in books. Students can take turns being the librarian or cashier and describe the books to the other students.

Encourage pretend play in students as part of your lesson plans. Learn the personality of each student and you'll be surprised at their imaginations and ability to see the world in a different light.
Create a mail person of the day game. Get index cards and have the children label each card with the books in the class. Take them to the schools library and let them get an idea how the school library system works, them emulate that in your class. Pretend play with a lesson!

Toy Link: School Tables and Chairs

The simple set up of a table and chairs within the classroom can give kids a place to pretend. Students can pretend they are at the dinner table while they serve and eat pretend food. This gives students a relaxed setting to act like a family and take turns doing different jobs.

Students may also arrange the table and chairs in a way that represents the classroom, pretending to be teacher and students. For a teacher, it is exciting to see students play school. It gives insight into what they are learning and what type of teaching they mimic. Teachers can observe and get some understanding into what parts of the day and what types of lessons kids enjoy. They will pick their favorite things to act out.

A table and chairs is also a good setting for pretend office play. Maybe students have seen their parents work at an office, have visited the school office, or watched the teacher work at her desk. For teachers, this type of play is a good way to see which students take the leadership roles and which students take other roles.

2009-11-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Although you and your family are probably getting excited, buying ingredients to cook up the annual feast, and taking stock on all the things you have to be thankful for; kids often don't fully understand the meaning of this special holiday. They may even become restless and bored while you are busy with preparations. Thankfully, you can make Thanksgiving more enjoyable for your own kids, as well as any children who will be visiting with friends and family members, by keeping them in mind as you make your holiday plans.

We've listed a few items to get your home child-ready, even if you don't already have kids of your own.

Toy Link: Educational Toys

Make sure you have plenty of activities, games, and/or toys on hand to occupy kids of all ages. Things that very young as well as older children can enjoy include arts and crafts, puzzles, building toys, and pretend play toys. Designate a special place in your home for kids to play. You may choose a corner of the living room so they can still be amongst the rest of the family, or a bedroom where they are free to make more noise. For toddlers and very young children, you may supply play food so they can help "cook" right along beside you!

The kiddie table doesn't have to be boring. Choose children's tables with unique shapes, fun themes, and comfortable chairs. By spending a little extra money up front for a quality table, you will have one that will last year after year, as well as give children a fun place to eat or play even when the holidays are over.

Toy Link: Kids Table Sets

Put away any items that you would prefer not to have broken or lost. If you don't have children, or if your kids are past the age of grabbing knickknacks and putting them into their mouths, you may have valuable or hazardous things sitting around that young children can get into. Get down on the child's level by crawling on your hands and knees, and remove anything that you would rather not see shattering into a million pieces, or that could prove a choking hazard for small children. This will allow you to stop chasing your own kids around if they are of a certain age, and will let guests who have toddlers or infants relax and enjoy the festivities.

Have everyone in attendance name one thing they are thankful for including kids. This will force them to think about how lucky they are to have those toys you buy them and allow them to better understand a appreciate the holiday. You may also choose to do this in private as you put the kids to sleep. Explain to them what Thanksgiving means to you, whatever that may be, and have them tell you their own ideas.

Toy Link: Kids Sleeping Bags

2009-11-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

As your kids get older you may find yourself being constantly bombarded with new toys, games, and other necessities to put away. And while your child's collection of fun things may continue to get bigger, your home may not. Not to worry. All it takes is a little time and preparation, and you can get your home more organized and tidy before the Christmas mother load takes over. Best of all, you may just teach your kids and thing or two about helping others and the true meaning of while you're at it!

Toy Link: Plastic Storage Shelves

Here are a few great ways to free up more space in your home and make room for those new Christmas goodies.

It's a fact: most children have more toys than they will ever need. Odd are, in fact, that the majority of playthings cluttering up your child's room are no longer being used. The solution? Get rid of stuff. If your kids are a little older, they may be fine with the idea of gathering up some of their old toys and donating them to Goodwill or another venue where less fortunate families can get what they need for less. You may even know of a family who could use them, and let your children deliver the items themselves. This will show them that doing nice things for others feels good. For younger children who will become upset at the mention of losing a toy, played with or not; gather up all the toys they have outgrown or that they no longer use. Put them in a basket or box and hide them away for a few weeks. If they don’t miss them within that time frame, donate them.

Toy Link: Toy Boxes

Don't limit yourself by only using available floor space. There are several spacious and attractive wall units available, including cubbies and baskets. By using these in combination with your toy boxes, you can save valuable room for other things like activity tables or extra seating. Remember to choose items that are sturdy because young children tend to climb and hang all over furniture and storage units. Also be sure to check the weight limit for all storage units, and to be on the safe side, keep heavier items closer to the ground. Otherwise, your kids might try and pull it down and get hurt.

Place wall cubbies and other storage pieces low enough for children to read their belongings (or high enough where young babies and toddlers can't get into things.)

You may also consider separating all toys by type and keeping them in personalized or labeled toy boxes. This will not only make things easier for children to find and encourage them to read simple words, but while you are going through and separating all your child's toys, it will be easier to locate those that are no longer being used or toys that are broken.

Personalizing chests with your children's names is also a good idea, especially if your children have many of the same toys. Have each of them go through their things, make a pile of those that they don't play with anymore, and put the rest in their own toy box.

Crossing the Midline: Bilateral Coordination

2009-11-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

One issue that can develop with young children is an inability to cross the midline. This means that a child will not take their hands or arms across the center of their body. For example, if you are holding something in your left hand and you want to pick something up off your desk that is on your left you generally use your right hand to reach across and pick it up.

Children who have trouble crossing their midline will either not reach for it, scream, or if you are lucky they will simply change hands or put the original object down. It is good to encourage children to develop this skill early because it helps them develop the connections between the left & right sides of their brain.

To promote this skill get your child to reach for objects just outside their grasp, or have them draw a line vertically down a piece of paper and have them color the left side with their right hand.

Improving bilateral coordination also helps with fine motor skills, object tracking, and overall better balance. Using the Rain Stick activity described below, have them hold the paper down while they cut around from one side to the other. You can also put on some music and get them to do a dance as you cross your left hand to the right side of the body and vice versa. Then get them to do it with their feet. For a change of pace, try this with paper streamers. You can also hand them materials in such a way as to get them to exercise this basic but important skill.

Make your Own Rain Sticks

Children love the sound of rain and splashing in the rain puddles when it is all over. With a Rain Stick they can recreate the sound themselves over and over again! My children made these Rain Sticks in preschool and they adored them.

Here is what you will need for each Rain Stick:

One tube from a paper towel
Strips of cardboard
1 piece of sturdy paper (or two if it is easier for your child)
Tape
1/4 cup rice
2 Tablespoons of seeds or beans, popcorn, dried peas, or lentils (work best because they are small but heavier than the rice)

Instructions:

Using a cereal bowl (or other handy circular object) have your child trace two 4-inch circles on a piece of paper. Once they trace the circles, have them cut the circles out using safety scissors (they might need some assistance with this). Then, have your child lay one paper circle on the table and put a tube on the paper so that the paper is covering one of the tube ends. Hold the tube in place while your child folds up the paper.

Have the child hold the paper while you secure the tape. Make sure you tape it well enough so that the filling doesn't escape! The next step is to cut and insert the cardboard strips. First cut them into 1 inch strips. You can use a ruler to draw the lines and then have your child cut them using the safety scissors. Once you have the strips, fold them back and forth like a fan and then put them into the tube one at a time.

Make sure each one gets to the bottom before you add the next one. Fill the tube up to the top with cardboard strips and then pour the rice and seeds into the tube. Once filled, you can put the second paper circle on top and tape it up like you did the first one. Don't forget to let your child do as much of the work as he or she can.

Finally, decorate your rain stick using paint, markers, and/or stickers. You can also glue little treasures to it like feathers, glitter, confetti, pom poms or anything that your imagination desires. If you think it will be easier for your child, they can decorate the sticks before they are filled or even before you put it together by coloring the tube and paper prior to assembly.

A Trip to the Doctor Can be Fun!

2009-11-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is here. Time for new toys, good food, and no school (we actually love school but the kids aren't always aboard with that sentiment)! Unfortunately, the winter holidays also coincide with cold and flu season. Not only are kids home all day anyway. Parents are more likely to take them to the doctor for even minor illnesses because nobody wants a sick child during the holidays. Over the last few years caregivers are also being more cautious due to the chance of contracting a serious flu virus.

This means waiting rooms full of children who would rather be playing and stressed out parents who are just SURE their child is coming down with something awful. To make things easier and less hurried for everyone, it is important to have a family friendly waiting room that parents and their kids don't mind spending a little time in.

Spruce up your waiting area by:

Providing adequate reading materials for the grown ups. Sure, they could bring a book, but when your child is sick it’s easy to forget things. Free reading materials that you can find around town are not enough (most parents have those anyway…they’re free). Find magazines related to children of various ages, gossip magazines, and books of short stories. And remember, dads take their kids to the doctor too, so bring in some reading materials with fishing, car, hunting, or bodybuilding themes. Special magazines for teens may also be appreciated.

Toy Link: WESCO Waiting Room Furniture

Have plenty of waiting room toys on hand. Its' best to choose things that kids of all ages can enjoy, like play tables, puzzles, and play cubes. The best toys are those that appeal for children of both sexes and that will not break or run out of batteries with heavy usage. Also, it's not a good idea to try and save money by purchasing second hand goods at your local consignment shop. These stores do not generally promise anything in terms of quality, and you'll likely wind up replacing toys three times as often. Plus, toys that are easily broken may be a hazard to small children.

Toy Link: Anatex Waiting Room Toys

Make sure the seating is comfortable. Just because you are serious about your business, does not mean your waiting room has to feature uncomfortable beige chairs with metal arms and legs. There are plenty of ultra plush children's seating in bright colors, as well as larger versions for adults and teens. If clients are encouraged to kick back and relax while they wait, they will be much less likely to complain about how long things are taking. It also sets the stage for more relaxed children. If they associate your business with fun and comfort instead of stress, it may be easier to get them to cooperate during certain procedures like shots or taking yucky medicines.

Toy Link: Commercial Grade Area Rugs by Joy Carpets

Fun Uses for Personalized Toys and Accessories

2009-10-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

You know your kids love seeing their names displayed proudly on their favorite things, but there are also lots of fun and practical uses for personalized toys and accessories. Not only will your child feel special and more in control of his own belongings, but you can also use personalization to avoid conflict between children and to enforce non-confrontational discipline strategies.

First, the obvious. Personalized toys and other items helps to avoid confusion when multiple children have the same toy. This is true both for school where there are dozens of children sharing the same classroom, and for home for settling disputes over which thing belongs to whom. Let kids pick out their own toys and personalize any of them that may become a source of confusion for kids (and yourself…). That way, the next time there is an argument, you can point to the name on each toy and say "See, this one belongs to you, and this one is your brother's." Problem solved.

Toy Alert! SensoryEdge is now featuring the KidKraft line of Personalized Furniture & Toys.

Another clever way of using personalized items is to help children with the concept of sharing. It is common for kids to stake their claim on prized possession during play dates. But, as we all know, kids who don’t learn to share are not much fun to play with and you may have a hard time getting parents to bring their children back to your home if their little one leaves in tears after each visit. The solution? Get your child his own personalized toy box.

Before any play date, have him put his favorite toys inside the box and then close the lid. Tell him that all toys inside don’t have to be shared because they are in his own special box, with his name right on front. (If you want to get REALLY fancy, you might also have a box labeled "Sharing Toys" or something similar.) Let him know that any toys NOT inside his special box have to be shared with his friends. Most kids will comply knowing that their feelings have been respected and that their favorite things are safely tucked away.

You can use this same concept when disciplining children by having a "No No" box, bench, or stool. For boxes, you can personalize it by adding the word "No No" or your child's name. Use them for putting toys, games, and other revoked privileges. Seeing the visual reminder of having his toys taken away is often more effective than putting them away somewhere sight unseen (out of sight, out of mind…just get a lock for the box if there is not one already)

Benches, stools, and step stools are handy for variety of reasons; and you can have them personalized for multiple uses. Have one labeled "time out" for obvious reasons. Having a specified place used for punishments only helps to reinforce the concept, and will hopefully encourage kids to avoid being sent there.

You can also add your child's name to these items to help instill a sense of belonging. Seeing his or her name prominently placed on chairs, benches, and other items gives them a reminder that their place in the family is permanent and important.

How To Avoid a Christmas Catastrophe: Batteries!

2009-10-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

You know the scenario all too well. The kids wake up Christmas morning all smiles, anxiously tearing through wrapping paper to find out what each package has in store. They excitedly begin pressing buttons and pulling levers, only to realize where are the batteries?

Mom thought Dad was going to get them, and he thought she picked them up last week. The ones in the remote control aren't the right size, and the ones in the junk drawer are, well, junk. No batteries in the entire house, no stores open, and no way to use those new toys.

Sound familiar?

Don't worry, you can avoid this all-too-common of Christmas woes by following one simple rule: opt for toys that don’t need batteries! It's easier than you think when you stick to the classics.

Here are our timeless Christmas faves. (Your kids will love them as much as you did "back in the day" we promise!)

Toy kitchens and food: Boys and girls will love cooking up some fun with a toy kitchen with all the accessories. You probably remember serving "dinner" to your parents as a child, and the concept is just as much fun to kids today! Pair it up from toy toasters, pots and pans, and mixers so more kids can play.

Kids Art easels, tables, & supplies: Even older kids will love drawing and painting or modeling with clay; and younger kids never grow tired of crayons and markers. Add a kid sized easel, extra paint brushes, and canvas for your older artists and you've got an inexpensive gift idea that your whole family can enjoy.

Blocks: Choose from wood blocks to build structures or how about big cardboard blocks for a fort or a great wall?

Costumes and dress up props: Your small children will love getting new costumes and dress up clothes as much as your teens love getting real clothes. Find items that fit several sizes at once, and get plenty of props like headgear and scarves it's a gift that will grow with your child.

Dolls and accessories: The classic baby doll never goes out of style. Sure, there are models now that cry, wet, and burp on demand; but these extras aren't necessary for your little one to fall in love. Fashion dolls are also still number one, and when you pair them with a new dollhouse… kids can literally spend hours decorating and re-decorating their doll's new home.

Classroom Storage: Making Learning Fun

2009-10-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

An organized classroom is a fun and efficient classroom. To maximize daily schedules, teachers need to organize their materials for easier reference so they can separate materials they use everyday from materials periodically. Storage can be exciting. Classroom storage can be a fun way to learn because you can use book displays as libraries and cubbies as mail boxes. Assign students jobs and they naturally become interested in the subject.

You can have a cubby assigned to each student so they can have a place to keep their art supplies, assignments, & books. Teachers can also use the cubbies to give the students projects, leave notes or give home work.

Its also a fun way for students to learn responsibility in the classroom and for them to get to know their classmates names. Many cubbies, such as the 10 Tray Mobile Storage Unit, come with removable plastic drawers.

For students who are still learning to read, each plastic draw can be labeled with a picture of the item that is inside. Students will love being called on to retrieve an item for the teacher or a classmate. Books that are displayed in an orderly and eye catching fashion will not only help the classroom look organized but it will also encourage the students to read. Books are part of the classroom, its common for classrooms to have lot of books for quiet reading or book reports. If you arrange the books in an orderly fashion this will encourage the students to check them out.

Cubbies can help teachers showcase books and display books in a manner that will interest the students. The best way to display the books is to place them in an angle that will show the front cover instead of putting them in a line showing just the spines. Students have materials that they need to carry around, portable storage is just the thing for this. Retrievable storage cubbies such as the See, Store and Take-Along Storage Cart, is equipped with lids that have handles. You will find that students like carrying them around and take pride in it.

Organizing the classroom using cubbies is fun and easy, it can also be an activity to keep them busy while the teacher is involved with other projects. Also, for super safe storage solutions make sure to check out the tip me not line of school furniture from Wood Designs.

Top Five Toy Ideas for Toddlers

2009-10-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

The holidays are right around the corner, and you are probably already thinking about what to get your little ones. If you have older children, they will more than likely have no problem letting you know exactly what they want this Christmas (including size, color, and precisely what aisle of the store it can be found on…). Toddlers, on the other hand, can be a bit more difficult to shop for.

Because children between the ages of two and five grow and change so quickly, it can be hard to choose items that will not only be fun for them now, but in the year ahead. As small children learn new things and master new skills, the same ole toys he's playing with now probably won't cut it in a few short months.

Luckily, there a few toddler toy options that kids can enjoy now, and in the years to come.

Blocks and other stacking toys: Younger toddlers learn fine motor skills and hand eye coordination by stacking a few blocks on top of each other. They also learn the concept of cause and effect as they knock the blocks over again and again. Older toddlers and preschoolers continue to enjoy these toys by building actual structures and playing pretend. They can build houses, bridges, people, castles almost anything they want. The usefulness and play value of most blocks is limited only by your child's imagination.

Drawing materials: This can include easels, markers, crayons, paper, finger paints, and anything else kids can use to make their mark. Not only will kids be able to create and use their budding imaginations, but drawing with your child is a great way to introduce color recognition, shape recognition, and early reading and writing skills. By watching you make different shapes and letters, they can more easily learn and follow suit.

Climbing toys and indoor playgrounds: These are always a hit with kids from crawling age all the way to upper elementary school (if the unit can accommodate older kids). By climbing and jumping around kids not only master the use of virtually every major muscle group, they also have a lot of fun.

Play kitchens and play food toys: There is nothing a child likes more than being just like mom and dad. These toys allow them to prepare meals and care for their "children" just like you do, without all the dangers and mess of your real kitchen. Not only that, but these toys grow with children. Young toddlers find it amusing just to pretend to cook and clean, while older children use these items as props in more sophisticated imaginative play.

Sand and water tables: You would be hard pressed to find a child of almost any age who didn’t love to build with sand and splash around in the water. Sand and water tables are great for families with kids of various ages because more than one child can play at once. Smaller kids will love feeling the texture of sand and exploring the water with their hands, while older toddlers and preschoolers love to use play tables in conjunction with other toys in imaginative games. (action figures trekking across the dessert, or submarines diving beneath the ocean).

Value-Added Method of Teaching: Is it the Solution?

2009-10-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Not many dispute the fact that the education system in the United States is flawed. Teaching is a hard job and the pay is not that great. However many blame the powerful teachers unions for allowing poor teachers to keep their job and benefits while younger more eager teachers get put down for thinking of new methods to improve student performance.

There is no "right" answer to solve the multitude of issues surrounding education. However the U.S. should not lag behind any other country in education considering the fact that when Americans put their minds to it, we can be among the best in any area. We have the money, we have the resources, we have the best colleges with the brightest minds and think tanks to figure out the issues and advise about best practices.

There is no doubt we'll get it right eventually but there will be many battles, bruised egos, and law suits before the majority is happy with pre-k to 12 education.

There are two interesting articles in the October 18th Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times from writers Jason Song and Jason Felch. The articles discuss the Value-Added method of teaching. The writers explain that the value added approach attempts to level the playing field by focusing on growth rather than achievement. Using statistics, it tracks students improvement year to year, and uses that progress to estimate the effectiveness of teachers, principals, and schools.

The value-added method also challenges the following assumptions:

all teachers are equal
more money, more learning
teachers can't overcome a student's background
class size is key
bad teachers tend to teach in poor schools
teacher experience matters
teacher education matters
teacher credentials matter

If you're an educator or parent who has an opinion about the value-added method, please read the article and let us know your thoughts. The articles are located at

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-myths18-2009oct18,0,4278154.story
and http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-teacher-eval18-2009oct18,0,4471467.story

Halloween: Safe & Fun Trick-or-Treating

2009-10-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just around the corner, and your kids are probably gearing up for the big day by planning their costumes and trying to figure out the houses with the best candy. You may be giving this year's holiday a lot of thought too. But for slightly different reasons. How can you let your kids make the most of Halloween while still keeping them safe? No worries. We're here to help!

Although you probably remember every news headline about poisoned Halloween candy or other horrifying tales, these incidents are literally a one in a million deal. Keep in mind that millions of children go trick-or-treating every year, and virtually none of them come in contact with anything dangerous. The reason these headlines are so noteworthy, is because they are so extremely rare.

Even so, it's best to ere on the side of caution when it comes to kids. Keep them safe without spoiling all the fun by following a few simple guidelines.

Check all candy that comes from a stranger before letting your child dig in. Make sure all wrappers are still securely in place, and be sure there are no holes or blemishes on the packaging. Most of the time these things are nothing at all, but they could indicate candy that has been tampered with. To be extra sure, trash any "suspicious" pieces. Your kids won't miss them.

While you're out and about milking the neighbors for all the bubble gum they're worth, be sure to keep a close eye on every child in attendance. If more than three kids will be joining the fun, bring an extra adult (or two) and instruct kids ahead of time to walk on the sidewalk only. If small toddlers will be present, keep them in a stroller or attach a "toddler leash" to their costumes. Little ones are fast and tend to disappear easily in a crowd.

Choose easy to recognize costumes. Although choosing the latest TV character may be
"in", there are plenty of stylish and fun kids costumes to choose from that will be easier to pick out in a crowd. The Doctors Costume for Kids by Aeromax, for example, comes in several easy to see bright colors and is available in multiple sizes. Similar ideas are the Cowboy & Cowgirl Costume for Kids. These are stylish and fun enough to keep the kids happy, but will help you avoid confusing your child with one of the other blond pop stars on the street that night. You can even make it an educational day by discussing what the character does or might have done when they dressed up just like your little trick or treater.

Stick to neighborhoods you are familiar with. If there is a particular area that is notorious for having "good candy" and you haven’t been there, take a quick drive by during the day to map things out. Choose which streets you will visit, keep a stretch of the neighborhood handy so you can easily find your car, and if you want to be super cautious check the crime in the area by searching online. Even better, take along a friend who knows the area and follow her lead.

A few minutes of preparation will make each and every Halloween fun for your kids and give you some peace of mind.

Making Your Child's First Halloween a Hit

2009-10-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

If you're a new parent, you've probably been counting down the days until his first Halloween. Nothing could be cuter than those chubby little cheeks all dressed up in a fun baby costume! Make his first Halloween super special by letting him get as involved in the festivities as possible, and following these tips to ensure that everyone stays happy and healthy this holiday.

Obviously a baby who is only a few months old should not have candy of any sort. For babies six months or older, however, it may be a little more difficult to decipher what is and is not safe. Until your child is at least three (older if he still has issues chewing food thoroughly) stay away from hard candies and thick taffy, peanut butter, or caramel. Lollipops can be safe as long as the candy is snug on the stick, and you watch him closely. Other good choices include chocolate or any candy that melts in the mouth. Cut or tear larger items into small bit sized pieces.

Remember, your child probably has no idea what's going on. To kids under the age of two or three, Halloween is just another day of the week. That said, make sure he maintains his normal schedule for as much of the day as possible. This means regular meal and naptimes, as well as quiet playtime without any older brothers or sisters popping in wearing their costumes. By doing this, you give yourself a better chance of having a happy baby as you go out trick-or-treating with older siblings, or visiting relatives to show off his cute costume.

On the same note, since he has no idea what "Halloween" actually is, you can make the day more for yourself. That means putting him in the cutest costume you can find and taking dozens of pictures without protest (hopefully). The Baby Racing Costumer in Red and Blue or the Baby Police Officer Costume are both excellent choices for your little one. They're made just the right size for infants, and he will look adorable sitting in a toy car or playing with kid friendly handcuffs while snap away. If you don’t have any older children to contend with, you may just spend the bulk of your night taking photos (and emailing them to everyone you know)!

If your youngster will be tagging along for a trick-or-treat jaunt, remember to bring along plenty of supplies. Extra diapers, juice, blankets, and toys may all come in handy even if you are not roaming far from home. Infants and young toddlers are notoriously impatient, so keeping everything you may need close by will prevent you from having to return home early…or deal with a screaming baby house after house. Talk about scary!

2009-10-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

If you're a parent, you probably find yourself with little ones underfoot several times a week while making dinner. Whether you're making spaghetti or grilled cheese, kids love to help. Unfortunately, sometimes it isn't feasible to have little hands stirring the Alfredo sauce or helping you chop the onions; either because the job is too messy or dangerous, or you're just too tired to accomplish things efficiently.

Luckily, there are ways you can accommodate your child's need to "cook" his own meal without having to deal with the mess, heat, and power struggles that often cause problems.

Designate a special place where your child can cook. This can be a small table in the corner with a matching chair, or a specific stool at the bar. Let your child know that this area is his area. All other parts of the kitchen are off limits unless you give special permission. With his culinary creations being limited to a set space, you can (hopefully) cut down on the overall mess and avoid opening the oven door as a pair of tiny hands reach over.

Teach your child proper kitchen safety rules BEFORE you begin cooking. This obviously means instructing him to avoid the oven when it's turned on unless you are there to supervise, but also on the proper method for holding pot holders and using oven mitts. Show him how to pull out the oven racks using mitts. Also, make sure he knows never to run with sharp utensils (Not that you will be letting him anywhere near the knives but it's best to be prepared early on), as well as the proper way to handle peelers and other items when he's old enough!

For very small children, set up a play area in or close by the kitchen so he or she can help you safely. This can include things like toy food, play kitchens, pretend pots and pans, and other fun props. This will allow your child to participate without the risk of injury or sticky messes. A great option for kitchen play is the Bake & Decorate Cupcake Set by Melissa & Doug. It comes with toy cupcakes that wipe clean after each use, as well as dry erase markers that allow children to create and re-create new treats every time. By allow kids to actually create something right along with you, it will give them a sense of accomplishment just like if they were baking REAL cupcakes with you.

Be willing to get messy every now and then. You can't avoid the occasional spill or scattered cereal, so it's best to anticipate these things ahead of time. This will not only allow you to keep anger and frustration at bay when messes DO occur, you will already have a plan in mind for cleaning them up. And don't forget sometimes a good old fashioned food fight is just what the doctor ordered.

2009-10-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

With the rates of childhood obesity and other food related illnesses climbing each and every year, now is the perfect time to get your child moving! Cold weather doesn't have to put a damper in your exercise efforts. There are lots of things you can do to get your kids off the couch and they don't have to be boring or tedious.

The key, is to make exercise fun for children. Better yet, don't call it exercising. Call it "playing gym class" or just tell them that you're all going to jump around and act silly. Do jumping jacks, dance to your favorite music, and use an exercise ball to get them bouncing around and you toned and fit.

Try the Fitball and with Feet. It's very similar to traditional exercise balls, but it comes with small feet at the bottom that keep the balls from rolling; and it keeps your ball in place when you stand up. Best of all, it comes in both child and adult sizes so the entire family can get in on the fun.

The benefits of using the Fitball are numerous. Children will learn balance and stability while playing and sitting on the ball, and you will get the same benefits of a personal trainer without the high price tag. Exercise balls are superior for core training and working those abs, plus, they don't put strain on your hips and back. In fact, lying across the Fitball may instantly relieve back pain. That’s why therapists and chiropractors have been using exercise balls in their practices for years.

Before you get started, there are just a few things to remember before you begin working with the Fitball, or any other exercise equipment. If your children have any health issues, such as asthma, talk to his or her doctor before starting an exercise program or any other physical activities. Also, it may be a good idea to speak with your own doctor before you get started whether you have a health condition or not.
You should also keep a few things in mind as you actually use the ball. Keep your workouts indoors, away from sharp objects.

Although the Fitball is designed to take a bit of wear and tear, it is susceptible to punctures just as any other exercise ball. It's also a good idea to confine your workouts to areas without hard furniture with sharp corners. Move things around if you have to. The last thing you want is a child to bounce right into a table. You should direct children on how to behave while using the ball to avoid anyone getting hurt. Most of all, encourage them to move, bounce, and have fun!

Waiting Room Toys: Lobby Happiness for Everyone!

2009-09-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Although the benefits of providing quality waiting room toys should be apparent to any business owner or operator, more often than not there is nothing to entertain children in the vast majority of doctor's offices, clinics, and any other office space that requires clients to wait for seemingly endless amounts of time. That being said, we feel that the impact providing such a convenience may have on a business is worth mentioning. Here are the top reasons why waiting room toys are worth the investment.

More repeat customers. Fact is, unless you are the greatest physician (dentist, chiropractor) in the world most of your patients or customers who have children will not return if they are left waiting with a screaming toddler for more than five minutes. This isn't to say that waiting isn't a necessary evil of life. The professional down the road also has a busy schedule, and his patients are waiting around just as long as yours are. But if he has a collection of games, activity play cubes, wall toys, bead toys and comfortable furniture that is tailored toward families with impatient children guess where your patient will be headed next time.

You may also get more referrals from your existing customers if their experience with you is pleasant and with as little hassle as possible. Words tends to get around when a business is particularly progressive meaning that they cater to the needs of working, over-stressed mothers and fathers and their equally cranky children.

Providing your clients with good, safe, and stimulating waiting room toys is just a smart business investment. That said, you can't throw just any ole toys in your waiting room and expect the same results. There are few rules you should keep in mind when choosing appropriate waiting room toys.

Don't buy used. You never know how quickly yard sale, flea market, or your cousin's children's toys will fall apart. Having a toddler almost choke on a broken part is not likely to bring in repeat business. Instead, buy quality toys that will last for a long time. This will keep you from buying them as often and will prevent injuries in your patients.

Choose toys that are age appropriate. This may mean have a wide variety of options, but lieu on the side of a younger set. These can include colorful bead toys like the Ultimate Fleur Rollercoaster Play Table - as well as fun wall toys like the Tic Tac Toe Wall Panel by Anatex Enterprises. For older kids, opt for things like videos, books, and magazines. That way you don’t have toys lying around that may injure a younger child. That said, it is a good idea to choose things that can grow with a child; like sand tables or puzzles.

Active Sitting in the Classroom

2009-09-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

Our Friends at Ball Dynamics provided the following great information about sitting trends for kids at school. Check out the selection of sitting tools at SensoryEdge

Active sitting, or unsupported sitting, is a concept where sitting is not just a passive inactivity but one where the user is engaged in controlled movement while seated on an unstable surface. There are several Active Sitting products including free-standing exercise balls and inflatable seating discs that fit in a traditional chair. Many schools are now retrofitting their classrooms to take advantage of the benefits that Active Sitting provides.

Children naturally gravitate to the brightly colored balls and seem willing to embrace this new methodology of focused learning through sensory awareness. While initial research focused on improvements by Special Education students using Active Sitting tools, today experiential use by general classrooms seem to be indicating that all students may benefit from the same techniques occupational therapists have been promoting for years. See some of the university-driven research reports on Active Sitting in Ball Dynamics' online Resource Center.

Another benefit that Active Sitting provides is the strengthening of the core muscles. Core muscles are very important to a healthy back. All movement begins from the core and is where our center of gravity is located. Sitting on an inflatable disc or ball can force the body to strengthen its weakest muscles in order to maintain balance. The body and its core muscles are constantly making slight adjustments and movement in order to keep balance.

Benefits of Active Sitting

Active Sitting eliminates static loading and can help nourish the spine
Active Sitting can encourage better posture by activating and strengthening the tiny muscles in our back and core area
Active Sitting can force the body to strengthen its weakest muscles in order to maintain balance
Active Sitting can be used to improve focus and alertness by enhancing sensory awareness and simulating the vestibular sense.

Not all balls are created alike, which is why you'll find the professional-quality FitBALL brand of balls and seating cushions in schools, clinics, fitness clubs and other professional settings where quality is important. The entire FitBALL line of balls is burst-resistant quality- designed to deflate slowly, in case of an accidental puncture. Many lesser quality balls may burst suddenly if punctured.

Pretend Play Fun with Indoor Puppet Theaters

2009-09-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

The air is slowly cooling off, and fall weather is fast approaching. But the end of summer doesn't have to mean the end of fun! Although your kids may not get to enjoy as much time outdoors since with fall comes shorter days and cold temperatures, you can give them plenty to do while they're stuck hibernating for the winter.
One great idea is to give them their very own puppet show with a puppet theater. Kids love puppet shows in the classroom, and they can have the same imaginative fun right at home. Better yet, now that school is in session they can use stories, experiences, and emotions from their day away from home… to have more fun while AT home.

Use a fun puppet theater like the Deluxe Edition Super Star Theater. Or, if space is an issue, you could choose a table top model like the Center Stage Table Top Puppet Theater. Kids will spend hours coming up with scripts, making up characters and performing shows for friends and family. All you need now…are the puppets!

Your child will probably want a wide range of puppet characters, depending on age. These can range from classic fairy tale characters to animals to everyday people like police officers and doctors. Most toy stores have a variety of puppets to choose from, as well as some teaching supply stores. Better still, have your kids make their own puppets!

All you need to get started is markers, socks mittens, googly eyes, and other decorations your child may want. Use them to create a whole cast of characters for his or her next production.

Imaginations will run wild!

With the Deluxe Edition Super Star Theater your whole family can get in on the action. It not only gives your kids plenty of room to put on a great show, but there is a backstage area, dressing room, ticket booth and concession stand with pockets for treats and payment! It's as close to a real theater as you can get at home, and provides plenty for kids to do to stay busy for hours!

For even more fun, instead of watching movies or TV for family night—have a puppet show instead! Let the kids create their own stories or act out favorite movies or fairy tale characters you can all enjoy. This not only encourages kids to use a lot more imagination than watching something on a screen, but it allows kids to work together toward a common goal. When you see how much fun your kids are having, you may even decide to join!

Then, all that’s left to do is pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show.

Add a Little Drama to Your Child's Playtime

2009-09-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

Dramatic play is different than many other types of imaginative games. Instead of dealing with dolls and cars and trucks; your child is taking an active position in pretending to be another person entirely. Whether playing teacher, doctor, or explorer, dramatic play is an important part of a children's development for many reasons.

First, kids use this type of play to learn about the world around them. The way your child's "character" is portrayed or how he interacts with those around him can give you an inside peak into your child's mind. For instance, if your son pretending to be a "daddy"; the way he interacts with his "wife" and "children" will show you how he perceives his own father (or lack thereof). If the behavior you see leaves you questioning a situation or event in real life, you know its time to take action.

On the flip side, you can use dramatic play to get your own messages across. Do this much in the same way, only instead of watching your child's behavior from afar get involved in the game yourself. This will allow you to alter the scenario and reactions to display healthy resolutions to problems.

That said, often times dramatic play accomplishes nothing but a good time for your child in which he can live and explore. You can encourage this by providing him with plenty of toys that make dramatic play more fun and exciting.

One of our favorites is the Melissa and Doug Pirate Chest. Your son or daughter will spend hours on the open seas looking for buried treasure! Make it seem even more real by hiding the "gold" around your home and offer a special surprise to anyone who finds it! This type of dramatic play is not only entertaining, but allows kids to develop mental skills like memory and problem solving.

Other toys include the pretend play food, where kids can learn healthy habits early. Encourage them to create toy meals then serve a healthy lunch to mom and dad. This is a great way to show children that eating right is cool! Instilling these habits early will set your kids up for healthier habits as they grow.

Whatever toys you choose, allow your child to freely express any thoughts or feelings he brings up during dramatic playtime. Use this time to teach him healthy ways of expressing himself, dealing with emotions and interacting with others.

Playroom Designs Your Child Will Love

2009-09-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

There are many benefits to designating a separate playroom for your child. You can better separate play time from sleep time or homework time, and it will allow one room where making a mess is encouraged rather than squelched. Make your kids’ playroom more fun by adding one or more of these unique elements:

1. Kids Murals are a great way to make imaginative play seem more real. Traditionally, only those will some kind of artistic ability could incorporate this fun decor theme; but there is good news. Even if you have virtually no artistic skills whatsoever you can use a ready made mural that looks like the real thing (or better…depends on whose painting…). SensoryEdge offers the high quality line of wood murals by Timberfish. You can choose from a variety of settings, like scenes at the beach or mountains.

2. Create imagination stations with separate play centers in various parts of the room. This is how classrooms divide toys amongst numerous children, but the concept can work equally well at home. You can have different parts of the city with a doctor’s office in one corner and a police station in the other. Set up pretend groceries stores, houses and other real life settings for kids to enjoy.

3. Kids of all ages love climbing toys, and there are various shapes and sizes to accommodate any age group. Infants and toddlers may benefit from the foam variety like the Climbing Tunnel Labyrinth Soft Play. Climbing, jumping, crawling and tumbling not only give children hours of entertainment; it allows them to build major muscle groups, enhance balance and coordination and reinforce the learning of other important skills.

4. You may also decide to set up a separate area in the playroom for drawing and other activities. Puzzles, crayons and coloring books are all good choices for fun and artistic pastimes for kids of all ages. To further enhance the experience you can purchase special desks to match the decor, easels or kids tables. Pick tables and other furniture items that are sturdy and made to last, like the Farm House Table and Chair Set by KidKraft. They are made from solid materials that will last year after year: child after child.

Allow your child to help in the design of their playroom. Giving them more freedom in choices involving decor and other items will encourage them to spend time there learning and playing.

Encouraging Pretend Play at School with Classroom Furniture & Unit Blocks

2009-09-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about childhood is getting to pretend. Pretend play brings out the creativity in children while encouraging them to invent with their own ideas. Teachers love to see their students engaging in this kind of play. It can be like a little window into how they think, what they like to do, and what their talents are. Classroom furniture is a great way to encourage pretend play at school.

Use Tables and Chairs

The simple set up of a table and chairs within the classroom can give kids a place to pretend. Students can pretend they are at the dinner table while they serve and eat pretend food. This gives students a relaxed setting to act like a family and take turns doing different jobs.

Students may also arrange the table and chairs in a way that represents the classroom, pretending to be teacher and students. For a teacher, it is exciting to see students play school. It gives insight into what they are learning and what type of teaching they mimic. Teachers can observe and get some understanding into what parts of the day and what types of lessons kids enjoy. They will pick their favorite things to act out.

A table and chairs is also a good setting for pretend office play. Maybe students have seen their parents work at an office, have visited the school office, or watched the teacher work at her desk. For teachers, this type of play is a good way to see which students take the leadership roles and which students take other roles.

Keeping it organized using Book Displays

Having book displays in the classroom give students the perfect setting to play library or book store. This kind of play will encourage students to read and become interested in books. Students can take turns being the librarian or cashier and describe the books to the other students.
Whatever classroom furniture you have in your classroom, it can be used to encourage pretend play in students. This will give you, as the teacher, a look into the personality of each student and give you many options to reinforce classroom lessons.

Standard Unit Blocks

The possibilities with blocks when it comes to pretend play are endless. One of the most insightful activities a teacher can do with blocks is to dump out some blocks in front of each student and let them decide what to build. Some students will build towers, other students will build pens for their animals, some will build car ramps, and others will build their own unique designs.

Having wooden blocks in the classroom gives teachers many options to engage students in pretend play. Learning about space can result in the building of fantastic structures. Blocks with the alphabet can result in students "building" their name. Blocks also give students a great way to pretend play together. Learning to share and build on other students ideas are lessons that will continue all throughout the education process.

The key is school does not have to be boring if the tools are in place to foster creativity. Classroom furniture for children including book displays, easels, table sets, educational rugs, and unit blocks are long lasting, create infinite possibilities, and help teachers make each day fun for their students.

Naptime Away From Home: Make the Transition Easier for Both of You

2009-09-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

For many children, school nap times are the first time they will sleep away from home. This doesn't seem like such a huge thing, but consider your child's position. We are naturally more vulnerable while we sleep. Our guards are down and we're generally lying flat on our backs or our sides: leaving us in no position to defend ourselves. So imagine doing this with twenty or more near strangers lying all around you! Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure that nap time is a restful time.

NapMats by Royal Nap Mat

First and foremost, choose a sleeping mat that provides snugness and comfort. The feel of a blanket wrapped around him and soft cushioning underneath will help your child feel more at home and less ill at ease during his first few nap-times. Our line of nap mats by Wildkin come in a variety of colors and designs, but more importantly, they offer superb comfort. They also come with matching blankets for him to snuggle up to if he feels uneasy.

Nap Mats by Fireside Comforts

Next, send him to school with a comfort object. This can be blanket, stuffed animal, or even a pacifier if the child is young enough. Having something to remind him of home and security will make the transition lots easier by reminding him that he can rely on you and your judgment.

Nap Mats by Wildkin

You should also take special care to get him acquainted with his teacher before school actually starts. Take him with you to orientation and let him ask her questions about the class, work they will do, and projects. Letting the two of them interact in this way will help him feel secure with her even when you’re not there with him.

Let him pick out his sleeping mat (to a degree). Getting to have a say so in the print and design will help him feel more in control of his surrounding. Wildkin offers a host of design options for boys and girls, so you'll have no problem finding something your child will love.

Finally, let him know that if he gets scared he can talk to his teacher for help. If you think that your child may have an issue with nap time (or any other new situation for that matter) speak with his teacher ahead of time and decide on a good course of action. Odds are, just knowing he has a support to fall back on will be enough to give him the security he needs to make it through nap-time and the rest of the school day.

Enhancing Education with Sensory Toys

2009-09-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

You can help kids get the most out of their classroom experiences by providing them with fun, hands on, toys to play with both during and after school. With so many flashing, blinking, singing and dancing toys on the market today; it's hard not to get sucked in. However, these more technologically advanced items do not give kids the same kind of stimulation that classic toys provide. In fact, they may even hinder your child's development in some areas--such as hand eye coordination.

Here are several better (and less expensive!) options that children have loved for generations.

Blocks

Whether big or small (big if the kid is under four!) blocks are a childhood favorite! They not only give kids an excuse for making a mess and breaking things, they also help with motor skills. Kids learn how to balance and stack items, how to tell the difference between large and small items, as well as use their imaginations to create. Blocks also encourage kids to use their imaginations. Unlike with modern toys, where a flashing car is just a flashing car, blocks can be made into a house, car, trees, bridges, or people. It's all in the way kids look at them. Some of our favorites are the line of standard unit wooden blocks by Barclay Wood Toys. They are sturdy, basic and come in sets large and small for multiple kids can play.

Stacking Toys

Colorful connecting toys or stacking toys are the more playful cousins of blocks, but with added benefits for early development. For starters, kids can learn colors by naming the color of each piece. They also excite kids from infant to kindergartner, so if you have kids in varying ages this is a great option to get more fun for your money. Aside from this, stacking and connecting toys offer the same benefits as classic blocks. Snap Blocs by Learning Products are just the right size for little fingers, colorful and full of fun!

Wire and Bead Toys

Always a hit in doctors offices, they also transition well in school rooms, waiting rooms and bedrooms. Although no one may ever quite figure out the mystical appeal of colorful beads on a loop of wire, kids will be entertained for hours on end with these! Kids can learn colors, shapes and other bits of important information while entertaining themselves for a change…without the use of a television. For added benefits, bead mazes also teach problem solving skills as well as encourage imaginative play. We like the Beads in the Barnyard Bead Maze because it also features a variety of animals for kids to learn!

Recognizing the Value of Quality Products in the Classroom Part 2

2009-09-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

Preschools within the program's reach are also set to take advantage of the extra money, by adding more exploratory toys and learning devices to their programs in combination with the new furnishings and storage units. Specialized tables, chairs, book displays, and lockers may also be purchased to meet the needs of smaller children.
Because preschoolers through kindergartners are still developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and speaking skills; providing them with additional chances for imaginative play and exploration is high important to encourage proper development. These toys can include classic toys like blocks and art projects, as well as more advance and larger scale items.

Tables and Craft Centers

Because art, like drawing and finger painting, is so important for a very child’s development; teachers will likely spend more funds buying desks, tables, and easels to support their student's artistic expression and abilities. Tables with built in storage compartments add more benefits because supplies like paper, paints, and crayons can be kept within arm's reach when art class rolls around.

Play Centers

Quality play stations can range in size and theme, but they all have one important thing in common: kids love them! From play kitchens with sinks, stoves, and appliances right within reach to larger scale indoor playgrounds: these centers are important parts of any preschooler’s world.

Mainstream offers a wide variety of play centers, many with slides and climbing centers built in. This not only gives kids a stimulating place to play but also helps to encourage muscle tone and development and motor skills and balance. Some of these playgrounds can also be used by children as young as six months, helping them to increase leg development to encourage standing and walking.

Book Storage

Very young children are often rougher with materials than older ones. Papers, drawings, and books tend to get crumbled and stained when not properly put away. For that reason, most preschool classrooms should be properly outfitted with quality book storage units.

The perfect storage unit for this age group is something easy to reach and easy to see the covers of each book so kids can pick their favorite stories with no assistance. Although easy to access, having a designated place to keep books and other reading materials is beneficial by keeping them off the floor and out of desks when not in use. This method will also help teachers better keep track of each book, so they are less likely to get lost or damaged.