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SensoryEdge Kids Furniture and Educational Toys Blog
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Learning Through Crawling and Playing
 Babies are on the go and their little minds are like sponges. Whatever you put in front of them, they soak up. If you have a little one that is on the move, give her a safe place to play that is also stimulating for learning. The Alphabet Foam Mat is a fabulous place for your little one to crawl, play and learn letters and colors. The foam letters are far to big to pose a choking hazard and are easy for little hands to handle and grasp due to their squishy, foamy design. It makes for great interactive play with your child as well as a cushy place to do it. Sing the Alphabet Song to her, talk about colors, and play games like "Find the Letter". When she's a toddler, ask her what her favorite letter is, favorite color and have her point them out. Toddlers love to be opinionated about everything! Your little one will stay safe and clean, while she'll love the bright colors and things to do on her mat. The 5-foot by 5-foot square mat has interlocking pieces that go together like a puzzle which will really please a curious toddler. When your child is even older, she will be delighted to discover that the assembled squares can be put together into cubes for large-sized building play. If you like toys that can grow with your little one, this is another great addition to your child's room! Labels: boys, building Toys, children, girls, kids, learning toys, toddler toys, toddlers, toddlers toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, February 07, 2008
Safe, Fun Developmental Toys for Kids Under 2
 Does your little one seem bored? A quick glance in your child's toy chest may yield the reason why. Numerous toys that are sold for smaller children today are so advanced they actually play for the child too. Electronic coloring books are safer for your newly painted white walls but your kids don't learn as much about the colors from touching dots of color on a screen with a light pen. Tactile senses - being able to hold and feel what they are playing with - are important to the development of children. Because of the boom in video games, many children have exquisite hand-eye coordination but lack development in other fine motor skills. This isn't to say video games are a bad thing - they aren't and there are a good number of wonderful learning programs that will give your child a leg up on learning. But as with all activities - they should include parental involvement and limit their use. Diversity in activities will keep your child's mind stimulated and ready to absorb information. Another good way to get your young child's fine motor skills up and running is to use some of the types of toys you probably remember from your own childhood. A simple wooden pounding toy will delight your young child and he will quietly be learning to place the hammer where his eye sees the point to hit and in turn develop his fine motor skills. You can also talk about the shapes and colors of the various parts and help him brush up on his colors and shapes. If you've been skittish about buying wooden toys, rest assured the fine folks at Plan Toys have taken your concerns to task. All Plan Toys are safe and non-toxic made with replentishable rubberwood. It's made by a natural process and contains no wood preservatives. The toys are inspected to have all sharp corners removed and made with safe, non-toxic paints. Last but not least, this toy is assembled using a proprietary non-formaldehyde glue replacing the traditional wood glues that are high in chemicals and formaldehyde. Labels: boys, girls, kids, Plan Toys, toddler toys, toddlers, wood toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Give in to Your Baby's Need to Spill!
 Fill and Spill that is. It's never too early to stimulate your baby with a toy that will encourage development on many levels - along with being a whole lot of fun. Babies love repetition as a part of play. Many babies become unsure or even frustrated when a toy doesn't perform the same sound or movement over and over. Most babies have an innate need to know what to expect and this in turn helps them gain confidence. Pour objects out and watching them fall again and again through the grace of gravity is a never ending fascination for most babies. Give your little one a fun toy that will also work on building up his or her fine motor skills as well as grasping skills. Melissa and Doug have put out so many wonderful toys for kids and the Fill and Spill is no exception to that rule. The Fill and Spill will keep your baby entertained for hours with four buggy friends that each make their own sound. One buggy rattles, while another jingles. Another squeaks and that last one crinkles. The toy is completely washable and easy to keep clean. The bugs can be put into the container again and again and then poured out. Your baby will have so much fun experimenting with putting his or her hand inside the "bug jar" and then swirling the buggies around and then tipping the entire container and pouring them out. They can be stacked, counted and you an even play games and ask your baby to give you the bug that jingles or tell your baby to show you the color blue on a bug. There are so many levels of learning with just this one toy! Delight and stimulate your baby with the fun of a Fill and Spill Toddler Toy and watch your child's mind and skills grow. Labels: boys, children, girls, kids, learning toys, Melissa and Doug Toys, pretend play, pretend-play, special needs kids, toddler toys, toddlers
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, December 20, 2007
Ready, Set, Action!
 With the cold days of winter here you kids may be spending more time inside than they usually do and when they do the walls of the house can seem more closed in and smaller than ever when you have a couple of bored kids in the house. Even if you live in the parts of the country that stay warmer during the winter months - there will still be cold, rainy days your kids are indoors. Pretend play is a great way to pass the days and encourage group play, turn taking and stimulate imaginations - all they need is the right tools to do so. Something as simple as a play tent can do the trick. The Train Station Play Tent is a marvelous way to give your kids a place to play and create imaginary scenarios. This pop up tent is perfect for providing hour upon hour of fun play. There's lots of space with mesh roof windows for plenty of fresh air, as well as roll-up windows. The tent is made of long wearing 70 Denier 190T polyester and combined with the Pacific Play Tents exclusive "G-3" patented pole system, the indoor/outdoor tent is a breeze to assemble with the color-coded tent pole system and attached connectors; the train station will be ready to begin hosting endless imaginary play with your kids within minutes. An accessory that is very fun but must be purchased separately is the 19" tunnel portal that your kids can run through to get to the train station. The Train Station itself has flaps and velcro stays and is easy to keep clean with mild soap and water. Labels: bedroom, boys, children, childrens exercise, childrens furniture, dramatic play, dramatic play for children, girls, kids, learning-toys, make believe, pretend play, toddlers
posted by SensoryEdge
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Saturday, December 15, 2007
There's Nothing to Do!
 With the colder days of winter fast upon us -and your kids stuck inside the house during inclement weather - you'll be hearing "There's nothing to do" even though they have a drawer full of video games, a computer, a television, bookcases full of books and numerous toys - what they might need is some imagination stimulation that will keep their minds creating and therefore keeping boredom at bay - try art. Kids love to create. Whether it's with clay you bought at the store or tried out your Mom's old recipe for making flour based salt-clay-doh for the kiddos to play with, painting or other artistic endeavor - your kids will love to create. Why not make it even easier with a central place to do it in? An art station makes a wonderful place for just one or even a small group of kids to gather around the table and create to their heart's content. The Creation Station has drying racks to hold priceless works of art while they dry, recessed paint cups for easy access for brushes and hard to spill, trays to hold the brushes neatly, rolled paper for endless artistic creations, paper towel holder to keep it neat and six supply shelves to keep the art station neat and in order. Be prepared for those winter blues when they hit and have an activity ready for your kids. Give the kids a theme and let each one draw a specific thought or feeling - it is so interesting what each child will come up with. Add a Creation Station to your child's play area or bedroom - it will keep boredom at bay! Labels: art, art table, boys, girls, kids, learning toys, make believe, painting
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, December 06, 2007
ARGHHH! It's a Pirate Filled Holiday!
 The bad part about winter weather is that the kids basically get cooped up inside and when there's a lot of excess energy they aren't expending, you can have some grumpy kids. The good part about winter is you can make it fun by adding an indoor play toy that will keep the kids occupied and playing. Kids love pirates and the "Pirates of the Carribean" movies have done nothing to diminish that and with that in mind, you can give your kids a fun pirate filled holiday season. Start off with the Pirate Ship Loft by Guidecraft which is a colorful and feature-filled toy that not only will keep your kids occupied, it also encourages the expansion of young imaginations as well as group play. Your kids will love playing on their own pirate ship and it has fun extras such as stairs to the upper decks where your kids can slide down to the floor again and again while pretending that they are in charge of their very own pirate ship. Include a pirate costume for each of the kids and maybe even let them create their own treasure maps and "treasure". This loft will deliver hours of fun for your kids - don't lament the long days of winter - let your kids be pirates! Labels: boys, girls, Guidecraft, kids, make believe, pretend-play, toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, November 29, 2007
Learning to Read Through Play
 There is one way to divide children into two groups. Those that love to read and children that will do anything to avoid reading. Many parents bargain, plead, punish, make deals and still can't get their kids to crack open a book. The secret is to make it fun. Knowledge gained through play is the easiest and most effective way for children to learn any task, including reading. Wordspot is a great way for kids to learn to read and they'll be having so much fun doing it they won't notice they'll learning! The object of the game is very simple. Find hidden words among the lettered tiles and mark them using the included WordSpot tokens. Words may be spelled in almost any direction. They can go up, down, across, backwards, and diagonally. The first player to use all of his or her tokens wins the game! This game is so easy to learn and kids will play round after round. Not only are they developing their cognitive skills for recognizing words quickly no matter what order they are laid out in, your kids will be encouraged to awaken the creative sides of their minds and create new words. When your child has mastered small words in this game, increase the minimum word length to accomodate growing skill levels. This is a great game to have on hand to keep the kids busy and interested, adults too enjoy this game. If you're tired of toys that are little more than gadgets that don't expand the minds of your children and teach them little to nothing, get them a fun toy that will let them learn to read and enjoy every minute of it. Labels: boys, childrens games, educational toys, girls, kids, learning-toys, reading
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Halloween Safety Tips
 If you choose to celebrate Halloween, make sure you do it safely. Use these tips to ensure your kids have a safe and spookerific Halloween. First of all, choose your child's costume wisely. Avoid costumes that have full face covering masks. They are difficult for children to see out of and your child could wind up tripping over an unseen object or worse, not seeing an oncoming car when crossing the street. Opt for face paint, or costume effects such as a single eye patch, funky glasses or other add ons that won't impair vision. Next, if your child is going trick or treating, younger children should go in a group that is supervised by at least one adult and older children should always go out in a group. Houses without lights on are to be left alone. Houses with Halloween decor that are lit are usually welcoming trick or treaters. "Please" and "Thank You" should not be forgotten just because your child is someone else for an evening. Tell your child to be sure to say, "Thank you" for any treats they get. Also, tell your child not to munch on any candy until they get back. It's not likely one of your neighbors is attempting to harm your child with candy, but check everything in their treat bag to make sure it's wrapped and safe to eat. If trick or treating isn't an option in your area, many malls and schools provide save havens for trick or treat parties where there are games, goodies and all their friends are gathered in costume having fun. Halloween was meant to be fun and you can keep it that way be teaching your kids the safety basics and make sure if it's not yourself, another responsible adult is with your kids on Halloween. Have a safe and Boo-tiful night! Labels: boys, children, costumes, dress up, girls, halloween, halloween costumes, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Do You Use Time Out for Discipline?
 How you discipline your child is a very personal thing. There are parents that spank their children when they have a naughty moment, a small number of parents that subscribe to the "hot saucing" of children as punishment and other parents use the "time out" method where the child sits down and has some time out of doing anything for a little while and usually the parent talks to the child about why they are in time out and why it's not okay to pull the cat's tail, snatch a toy away from a playmate or get up and run around the table at dinner. Reinforcing good behavior and taking your child immediately out of situations where he can misbehave is a great way to quell the unwanted behavior without raising your own blood pressure in the process. Toddlers especially don't have a lot of self control, the temptation to touch, pull and grab is just too great sometimes and you may feel as though your child's name is actually "No" because you have to tell him or her not to touch, not to run or not to do other things that could get your child hurt. Even one whole minute of sitting in a time out chair can seem like an eternity for a young child full of energy. You can help your child learn even during those time out times by using a helper like the Time's Up Time Out Frog. He's a plush froggie with a timer on the front and your child can see time as it's ticking by. Your child will quickly learn what 3 minutes looks like on the clock and you can set the time for up to 60 minutes. In addition to the inevitable time out times, you can also use this frog and set the timer so you child can see how many toys he can put away in one minute or if you have a group of kids arguing over one toy, set the timer so each child gets a turn until the timer goes off and then they pass it to the next child and the timer is reset. And those are just a few ways you can utilize a timer to help your children understand length of time and recognize time as more than just numbers on the clock. Labels: kids, learning toys, plush toys, pretend play
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Imaginations at Work
 If you happen to hear something similar to "yo ho ho and a bottle of rum" coming from inside your child's room, don't panic, he is just pretending to be a pirate. Pretend play is probably one of their favorite activities and more than likely it is the same for the parents or caregivers because it gives you an inside peek at the fascinating mind of a child. Imagination rules a child's playtime which is great and should be encouraged while they are young because the real world comes far too quickly in their life. It's not uncommon to hear someone tell a child to grow up and while, yes it is a necessary step in their development it should not come too soon. Nor should it happen all at once. It should be a gradual process, helping them to adjust to this new world of reality and responsibility. This can be accomplished in any number of ways, perhaps beginning with small age (and size) appropriate chores or jobs. Do not get frustrated when he seems like he comprehends everything you are trying to teach one day and the next its back to what? This is very normal and expected since their attention span is often very short for a number of years. Just be patient, he will eventually understand what is expected of him and will also begin to learn why these lessons are important. Labels: bedroom, boys, children, dramatic play, girls, kids, pretend-play, toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Saturday, October 06, 2007
Holiday Cooking With Your Kids
 You know just how much you always wanted to cook with your mother or your grandmother as a child each and every time they were hard at work in the kitchen. The smells of something delicious baking in the oven were enough to draw you in. However, once you caught a glimpse of what they were putting together, you couldn't help but want to join in. As your children begin to grow and explore around the kitchen, there are going to be times when they will want to get right in there and help with the cooking just like you did. For these times, you might want to set aside little projects that they can help you with. Simple cookie recipes are always nice when the holiday season rolls around, or they can even help you put together some delicious decorate chocolates. Either way, this will be the starting point for the kinds of cooking skills that your children will carry on with them as they grow into teenagers and then to adults. The Little Farm House Table & Chair Set is a delightful selection of furniture that you can have in your kitchen for your children to use when they are helping you cook and create. Either use while they are mixing and kneading or even let them sit down and reap the rewards of all of their efforts after they are finished helping you. Holiday goodies and the perfect place to enjoy them are the best ways to create special moments of bonding that you can cherish for a lifetime. Labels: bedroom, boys, children, childrens furniture, girls, home furnishings, kids, kids furniture, pretend-play, toddlers
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, September 27, 2007
Life's Lessons
 How many times, while watching your child, have you found yourself thinking that something they did or said reminded you of your own childhood? Everyone probably does this at one time or another and if you use this information it may just help you raise your child. This can be useful for any number of reasons; perhaps it may be something like comforting them after a friend hurts their feelings, or being able to anticipate a result or reaction and preparing them for the outcome. This is not meant to imply that you will be able to do this all the time or even that you would if you could because many of these things are necessary life lessons. However, it does give you a little edge when trying to think of something to make them feel better about what has happened or maybe even help you make the actual lesson a little clearer to them. Many times you will be able to give the "I know how you feel" speech and while they may not believe it at that particular moment, they will remember it. You can also use it as a way to show them alternative actions for expressing their feelings. A father may look at his son and tell him that fishing used to make him feel better or even playing sports. As a mother you may tell your daughter that whenever something like this would happen you used to go play with your dollhouse. A doll and dollhouse can be very effective when trying to show them how a fight with a friend might have been avoided or showing different ways to handle a situation. They can accomplish this perhaps by role-playing using the dolls and dollhouse. As parents you want to keep anything that might disappoint, hurt or frustrate your child away. But you also know it is not possible and not even always practical to try. All you can do is your best and remembering your childhood can be a help. Labels: boys, children, dramatic play, girls, kids, pretend play
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, September 21, 2007
Self-Entertainment Encouraged
 Ok, we all know that keeping a child entertained can, at times, be difficult. That may have something to do with the fact that many adults, whether parents or other caregivers, might have a slightly different concept of entertained. To most children it means 100 percent of our undivided attention at all costs. Naturally while giving this undivided attention they assume that it also entails them getting to do whatever they have their hearts set on. Who cares if it involves stomping through every mud puddle in the area and then making cool prints on a freshly washed kitchen floor? It's not a big deal that those gorgeous bright paints they were using a minute ago are no longer on the table, or that the cat has suddenly become a blue blur. Adults, however, tend to want to keep the area as neat and clean as possible. (Although, remember how much fun it was getting dirty as a kid?). So, in order to keep the peace in the household there are rules that you set up for playing, etc. Something that really helps when it comes to making a child understand this concept is to have one particular place where most of their activities are allowed and encouraged. It does not have to be a completely separate room or area, it can be a small area or table just for them. A great example of this is a new arrival here the Transform and Play Kids Table. This sturdily built wooden table is great for art, reading and even snack time as it is very easy to clean. And just in case your child doesn't already have enough paint supplies, or at least they don't think they do, it comes with a roll of paper, 2 paint cups and pallet. Everything they need to let their artistic souls express themselves. Labels: art table, hand eye coordination, kids, kids furniture, learning-toys, painting
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, September 14, 2007
To The Moon!
 If you have children or you work with them on a regular basis, you are fully aware of the kinds of projects that they like to get involved in and anything they get to touch and have a "hands on" experience is a big plus. No matter where you go, they are constantly looking for things that they can get their hands into. Whether you are going to the park to play on the playground or even the beach so they can build sandcastles. However, what do you do when they ask about sandcastles and you have absolutely no way of getting them to the beach? Luckily for parents and teachers today, there is Moon Sand! One of the coolest hands-on kits that you can get your children, you will swear that the sand that comes in this set came straight from the beach. If you have never heard of Moon Sand, it is a great way for your kids to play with what feels like dampened beach sand, only it never dries out. There will be hours upon hours of time that your children will be able to spend while working and molding this terrific sand product. Non-toxic and full of fun, Moon Sand is completely re-usable as well as allergen free! If you think that this handful of sand cannot get any better, you even get a great inflatable tray in the package along with two pounds of sand and fun molds to shape the sand in castle form and more.. No matter what time of year it may be wherever you live, kids can get right into the thick of things with Moon Sand and it will almost feel like they were able to enjoy a great beach adventure. Labels: autistic-children, boys, children, crafts, girls, kids, make believe, pretend-play, special-needs, tactile play
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Ready for School? New Backpacks for the new year
 Sometimes, even though you think that you have gotten everything together that your child will need for school, there often comes an instance where you have to get a couple of things at the last minute. Even after school has started, you may find that items will need to be replaced, or you might even want to get supplies in addition to the lot that you have already purchased. After all, when it comes to your child and their education, nothing should stand in the way of a healthy school experience. The Fireman Backpack is just perfect when you find that you need an additional carry all for your child or the one that they already have needs to be replaced. This fun backpack is made from durable, high quality materials including polyester, strong zippers, padded straps for extra comfort and much more. Not only is it colorful and fun, this pack is just the perfect size for any young child of school age. Perhaps your child likes to visit friends for play dates or they may even be getting ready to enjoy their very first sleep over adventures. This is a great backpack to take along with them loaded up with all of the items that they need. With great storage space and extra compartments for smaller items, you will be glad to know that you spent your money wisely on this terrific back pack. You can even get the matching lunch bag if your child wants to have a great set! Labels: backpacks, book carrier, kids, vacation
posted by SensoryEdge
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Saturday, August 25, 2007
Imagination Central
 Whether you are a parent or caregiver, you realize that stimulating a child’s mind is very important in helping them grow and mature. Many experts agree that there is a vast difference in children that are encouraged to use their imagination opposed to those that have little or no stimulation. The ones that have been encouraged to be curious and explore are far more likely to grow and mature into a well-rounded adult. Most children begin to really display curiosity and seek out things that catch their attention around their first birthday. Some may do this sooner and some later, the time frame itself is not written in stone, it's just a guideline. No one knows your child as well as you do, so you will need to watch for individual signs that your child is ready to explore. One way to help them along is to provide ways for them to start developing and shaping their own individuality. This can be done in a variety of ways, from scheduled instruction times to free play. Naturally, the ideal would be to combine the two, as this seems to get the best results. If you are attempting to insert a little educational instruction, keep in mind the younger the child the harder it may be to keep their attention. It does help to make it as fun as possible while still keeping it age appropriate. An excellent choice for this type of educational toy is the Purple Play Panel Wall Toy. As the name indicates, it can be mounted on a wall, which leaves more space available for a play area on the floor. It has a great variety of games that children love to play and the bright colors are pleasing to the eye. It can also be great fun trying to teach your child how to say the name, they love those P's. Labels: boys, children, girls, hand eye coordination, kids, learning-toys, make believe, pretend-play, toddlers
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, August 22, 2007
A Pretend Kitchen - Fun That Teaches Life Skills
 Children love to help, but it's not always practical. The kitchen can be a dangerous place for your child even though you're supervising. While you still let them help out with stirring the cupcake batter (and yes, you know there's the occasional "taste" that happens when the kiddo thinks you're not looking); or help by getting a stick of butter out of the fridge, they can't help cook things on the stove or take items in and out of the oven no matter how badly they'd love to really help you and do that too. A pretend play kitchen brings a wonderful solution that can let your children have fun while also learning valuable life skills. Teach your children to "wash" their hands in the sink to get rid of any germs on their hands and explain germs can make people sick so it's important to get rid of them before you handle foods that everyone will eat - it's another way to instill good habits that will last a lifetime. Also, you can let them show you what they've learned just helping out in the kitchen with you when they play. Such as stirring their pretend batters, baking a pie or making entire pretend meals for you or their stuffed animals gathered around a table. Talk to your kids about good food choices and bad food choices. You'll hear your words come out in their play. Afterwards, let them pretend to do the dishes (another skill you hope you can coax out of them in later years). You can even give the kids real foods to prepare such as sandwiches or encourage them to make up menus and have a restaurant. A pretend kitchen will lend itself to so many scenarios and all of them will have your kids learning something new! Labels: boys, children, girls, kids, learning-toys, pretend-play, toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, August 17, 2007
Ready to Learn
 Summer is almost over and another school year is right around the corner. Are you ready? Or at least as ready as you can be? Children's educators are just about the most important people around and are most certainly high on the list of exceptional role models. If you are a teacher, and that includes the people that home school their children, you already know how important you are to those growing young minds. Long considered a most noble profession, teaching children is a very rewarding career. You get the chance to see the look of excitement and pride when something new is learned, or a skill is mastered. As you are probably already aware, the environment for learning can be just as important as the lessons themselves. This holds particularly true for younger children. Once you have their attention, keeping it can be a difficult task. There are different tools and methods that may be used to encourage learning in a fun and enjoyable manner. As a teacher, it is important to make the teaching area as inviting and comfortable as possible, which in turn lends itself to a learning environment. Bright colors and bold shapes tend to be very popular with young children. It catches their eye and makes them want to investigate it further. Colorful posters on the walls and bright carpeting are great for getting their attention. You may also want to consider a reading corner, complete with several beanbag chairs in bright colors and shapes. They will love sitting in these great chairs, which just may result in a new appreciation for books and learning. Labels: autistic-children, bedroom, boys, children, girls, kids, kids furniture, seating, toddlers
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007
I Can't Wait to Grow Up
 An often heard phrase from a child is "I can't wait until I grow up, so that I can ______" here you can fill in the blank with a few of the more common ones such as: stay up late, go to school, not eat vegetables or feel free to choose one of your own. And no matter how many times you tell them not to be in a hurry, that being an adult is not as easy as it sounds, they still look at you with a disbelieving expression. Probably very similar to the ones you used to give to your parents when they tried to impart the same wisdom on you. While you do want them to slow down and enjoy their youth, you also need to start a little preliminary "facing adulthood" groundwork. Many experts feel that having chores to do is one step towards the ultimate goal of raising a responsible adult. Of course, they need to be age appropriate and in-line with their own personal abilities, otherwise, frustration sets in and the child’s self-esteem drops. Keep in mind that most children only focus on their immediate emotion, so telling them they will be sorry later if they do not do this now or one day soon they will be glad they did it, is not something that is going to make an impression. Instead, work on setting short term goals for completing their chores and once they accomplish this be sure to praise them for a job well done. If you would like to include some type of a reward for doing so well consider something that ties in with them growing up. One idea is to get them a Kids Duffel Bag, allowing them to replace that small "baby suitcase" with Going to Grandma's written on it. Not that there is anything wrong with going to Grandma's mind you, but imagine their smile when Grandma tells them how grown up they are getting to be the next time they visit. Besides, a teddy bear probably fits better in a duffel bag. Labels: bedroom, boys, girls, kids, vacation
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, August 10, 2007
Children and Pets
 Children and pets, is there anything cuter? While cute, it may not always be an option for a family. You may not live in an area or environment that is conducive to owning pets. You may not have the time to properly care for an animal or perhaps someone in the family has allergies. Whatever the reason owning a pet may not be possible but children love them and there are some advantages to pets. It can teach responsibility as well as helping to develop a nurturing side. Even if you are not able to own them perhaps you can visit someone who has pets and would love the company. Or even a visit to an animal shelter for an older child might be appropriate. If relatives have pets you can always try to arrange visits with them. This also allows time to be spent with family, which is always a good thing. Perhaps a visit to a petting zoo would be in order. That provides the hands-on experience that you are unable to have at home. There are usually caregivers around that can answer questions and tell your child a little about the animals. This always brings smiles and makes them feel very grown up with all of their newfound knowledge. There are toys that can help satisfy a child's natural curiosity about animals also. Consider Maggie's Playhouse Pet Shop with Sound, this is an amazing 4-foot by 4-foot playhouse with a swinging door that emits pet sounds when stepped through. Your child will love hearing a cat meow, a dog bark and birds squawking. This is a great toy even if you have pets, but if you don't it gives your child hours of fun with pretend play. Labels: kids, learning toys, pretend play, Time to Play Corp
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, August 03, 2007
Blast Off into Learning
 If you are like most parents, you tell your child that they can become whatever they choose to become. Therefore, naturally, you want to help them realize and achieve their potential. Things that you do or say as a parent, and as a person, stay with them for the rest of their lives. These life lessons can be of monumental proportions or they can be on a smaller scale. It is important to remember that even those small ones make a big impact on your child. Remember that children can become easily frustrated and while you don't want every lesson to be overly simple you do want immediate goals to be within reach and age appropriate. No matter what they are actually doing they are also learning all the time. Help them pick out little lessons that they may not realize they have learned. It may be something along the "social graces" line when they were polite or perhaps they correctly spelled a word or understood its meaning. Kids love it when you make a big deal out of something they have done, because to you it was perhaps small and obvious, but to them nothing is small and obvious. It is also important to let them play and have fun. You know that they are still learning during "fun times" but they do not have to know that. Maybe along with the you can be anything speech a fun visual aide would be in order. If you are telling your child that they can even be an astronaut why not include the Rocket Blast Off Play House. It is easy to assemble, has a padded door, roof and shutters all designed to stimulate your child's imagination. Remember, if they can dream it, they can become it. Labels: exercise, kids, learning toys, outdoors, pretend-play, toys
posted by SensoryEdge
1 comments
Friday, July 20, 2007
A-B-C's of Fun Learning
 As parents, you naturally want the best for your children and that includes education. While watching your toddler you may think it's too soon to be thinking about their education. Nothing could be further from the truth. Keep in mind that they are literally like sponges, watching and absorbing everything around them. Obviously, they take their cues from parents and caregivers, their role models. It is never too soon to set examples or begin to expand their horizons. Take the time to really be a teacher, role model and parent to your child. Show them the benefits of being curious about things and of learning everything you can about them. Not all of this learning and education pertains to actual scholarly knowledge; it may be about animals, people or anything else that interests them. However, this does not mean that formal education should take a backseat to everything else and it is important to make that a part of your teaching also. Of course, not all children learn at the same rate as their peers, but there are some things that you can watch for to make sure they are getting what they need. Watch for signs that they are not really understanding what is being taught. Sometimes this is shown in their frustration of the subject. A great tool for encouraging learning while still being fun is the ABC Chalk Talk, a winner of the Family Fun Magazine Toy of the Year. This amazing toy is an interactive touch pad with over 30 sensors to help teach kids the alphabet, phonics, colors and numbers. With five fun activity modes and many levels of play it keeps children motivated to learn. Who says learning isn't fun? Labels: boys, children, girls, kids, language, learning-toys, reading
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, July 13, 2007
Wanna Play School?
 If there is one thing that kids love its pretend play. They have the best time pretending to be all kinds of people in all kinds of places. This type of play can also be educational and a good example of this is the Pretend Play School Set. This award winning set is great for kids that are not quite school age as it has many of the things they will encounter when they start school. Even kids that are in school will have great fun making their "own" school and rules. It offers a chance for exploring all the wonderful things they may encounter once they start attending school. It can also be quite a learning tool when a sibling or friend who already goes to school is willing to play or act out things that really do happen to them while they are at school. This set comes with everything they will need to create the ultimate pretend classroom. There is a clock so they know when they are supposed to be in what class. A bell to let them know when it is time for lunch or to go home. A dry erase board where they can write down assignments, a map, pointer, and even a calendar. Don't forget the hall passes you don't want to be caught out of class without one. And all of this is stored in a convenient tri-fold carry board. The Pretend and Play School set is an exceptional learning toy and will provide hours of fun for your child. Labels: boys, children, dramatic play, girls, kids, learning toys, make believe, pretend-play, toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Hey Mom, I'm an Artist!
 Remember when you were a child and your parents would tell you to go play? Usually that is exactly what you did because you knew it was not going to do much good to tell them that there was not anything to do or there was no one to play with. They would simply tell you to entertain yourself and you would. With all of our technological advancements and our families being busier than ever, to some children the thought of having to entertain themselves is foreign. Unless of course that entertainment is in the form of television, games played on the television and computers. While there is nothing wrong with that entertainment, sometimes a little "old-fashioned" fun is just what is needed. The next time you hear that "there's nothing to do" whine, think art. It doesn't have to be a major project. It can be as simple as setting up an easel for kids, grabbing some paint and letting them loose. (You will probably want to protect the flooring and your child's clothes first). They can use a paintbrush, perhaps a sponge or the most fun of all - their fingers. Or, for the "serious" artist you may want to check out the easel accessory art supply kit with its extra little touches. And, most importantly, be sure to get one of your little artist's original creations and have them autograph it. That way when they become famous, you will have proof that you were vital to their inspiration and success. Labels: art, boys, crafts, girls, kids, painting
posted by SensoryEdge
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Saturday, June 30, 2007
Creativity And Scrapbooking Go Hand In Hand
 With the way that the art of scrapbooking is sweeping the world, it is only natural to see that children are taking on quite an interesting in creating scrapbooks of their own. By scrapbooking, a child is not only able to preserve their precious memories in a fun, unique way, but they are also able to sharpen their minds while working creatively. You can sit down with your child and scrapbook with them, give them the tools so they can work alone or even encourage them to have a scrapbooking party with some of their friends. If you have been looking for a fun and easy way to introduce your child to the world of scrapbooking, ScrapAttack has a great line of scrapbooking kits that are just right for all sorts of occasions. Any time your child wants to preserve memories or even just spend a few hours out of the day doing something creative, these kits by ScrapAttack are just the ticket. Perhaps your child has a best friend who is celebrating a birthday or they spent a lot of time together creating memories over the summer. The Best Friends Scrapbooking Kit by ScrapAttack is a fabulous want to help your child get their creative juices flowing. Inside this kit, your child will find plenty of stickers, great craft pieces, themed papers, glitter and much more. By working on such a scrapbook, your child will feel a whole new level of creativity and accomplishment. They can either work on the scrapbook and give it to their friend as a gift or even take turns back and forth creating keepsake pages in the book! Labels: children, crafts, girls, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Saturday, June 23, 2007
Let Your Children Enjoy The Clear Sand And Water Table
 Any adult should remember that as a child it was always an extremely fun time whenever you had the chance to either sink your fingers into some nice, clean sand or even splashing around in some nice cool water. Perhaps even today as a grownup, you still enjoy these kinds of things from time to time. Whether you are still a child at heart or not, you should know that there are great toys available that will allow your children to enjoy the same sand and water experiences. The Clear Sand & Water Table is a fabulous toy for children of all age groups to enjoy. Children can use this play table whether you are at home, in a classroom setting, at the playground or even at the beach because it is easy to take along with you. Not only does this fun play item have several different depths that kids can explore and have fun with due to the multi-layer design, but there is even a cover so that you can keep it clean whenever it is not in use. When you have the Clear Sand & Water Table, you have the ability of use for with your children as they grow. This is not some play table that will wear out its welcome shortly after you begin to use it. The stand that comes with this piece is easy to adjust for kids of all different heights! Once set up, it is quite easy to see just why kids would have so much fun playing with this item. Labels: children, kids, toys
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, June 08, 2007
Ahoy, Matey!
 All kids love pirate stories, possibly arising from the increasingly popular Pirates of the Caribbean movies or the classic book by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island. Whatever the reason, children seem to love everything about adventuresome pirates. Every Halloween you are likely to see dozens of pirates demanding "loot" and hording it much like a pirate and his treasure chest. You are almost guaranteed to see some little pirates dueling in the streets or making their friends walk the plank. If you have an aspiring swashbuckler or know someone that does, the Deluxe Pirate Costume is perfect for Halloween or getting together with their friends and having epic adventures on the high seas. It comes with pants and a shirt vest that includes the ruffled jabot that all of the best-dressed pirates wore. The girl's costume, with a skirt instead of pants, is perfect for all of the potential Anne Bonny's, the fiercest female pirate on the seas. Both costumes come with a belt, boot covers, hat and of course, the one thing no self-respecting pirate would ever be without, the ever-famous pirate accessory, an eye-patch, resulting in an amazingly authentic-looking outfit that will bring hours of fun and adventure. In fact, they may be having so much fun, you might have a little trouble convincing your pirate its time to sail into port and leave the adventures for another day. The complete Deluxe Pirate Costume ensures that your little pirate will have everything they need to sail the seas and hunt for treasure. Labels: children, costumes, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, May 31, 2007
Just a Minute
 Have you ever tried to explain "just a minute" to a child? Much less, "you can play for 5 more minutes". Most young children have no concept of time and trying to teach them even the basics can be frustrating for you both. Visual aides can be a huge help, especially for the younger children. Both the Time's Up Time Out Brown Bear and Frog are wonderful ways to help start them on their way to telling time. They can be used to help show when playtime is up, such as "when the timer goes off it is time to put the blocks away." Or, "you may read for five more minutes, then it is bedtime." In both cases you can even have them help set the timer, giving them a sense of control and learning. It can also be used in anticipation of an event. For example, "you have to study for 10 more minutes then you can play" or "grandma should be here within 30 minutes". It also works great when sharing problems might occur. You can have them set the timer and tell them it will be their turn to play with a toy or sit on moms lap when the timer goes off. It can also be useful on those rare occasions that a "time out" may be necessary. It seems to calm them a little if they can actually see the time running down and the end of time out approaching. Whatever the reason for use, it will be an amazing and much used addition to your household. Labels: children, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Friday, May 11, 2007
Take Their Motor Skills For A Rollercoaster Ride
 You may have noticed that some of the toys that are offered up in your child's doctor's office or dentist's office are very good at giving little hands plenty to do. While you are waiting, there is nothing better than a great toy that can occupy their little minds as well. When it comes to some of the great waiting room toys that you have seen, there is no reason at all why you cannot purchase some of these great toys for your child to use at home as well. Certainly you have seen some of those really cool toys that have beads that roam along wires in all sorts of turns and loops. These are great toys that are just right for helping to stimulate a child's brain while helping them work on their motor skills as well as their hand and eye coordination. When you are looking for the best in these rollercoaster bead maze toys, there is none other than Anatex. The Anatex line of toys are made to help children have a great time while also learning. The original rollercoaster design is filled with all sorts of wonderful shapes and colors, which happen to be just right for children from the age of 18 months on up. This fun and imaginative toy can be set up in your family room, play room or even in your child's room, it all depends on where you want it! Labels: kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, May 03, 2007
Love Those Smiles
Is there anything that makes you feel as good as you do when your child looks at you with wide open eyes, a grin from ear to ear and says "I love it, you're the best"? Probably not, and that is what makes this elusive occurrence such a treat for parents. SensoryEdge can help you repeat that occurrence again and again with their children's furniture collection. Some kids get a little scared or nervous when they grow out of their cribs and have to deal with saying goodbye to the familiar. With so many styles to choose from you will be sure to find something that will make them adapt a little easier. Be sure to let them know that it is a very special time when they move from their crib to a "big kids bed" (We wont tell them it's a Toddler Bed if you don't), Your little princess would look adorable in her own Tiffany Toddler Cot, with its elegant, classic design in white with beautiful bow detail. For an even more elegant setting, be sure to include the Tiffany Toddler Side Table with the same detail as the bed. What future fireman could resist the Fire Truck Toddler Bed with its realistic detail? Be sure to include the KidKraft Fire Truck Night Stand and step stool to compliment the ensemble. And, what fire station would be complete without the fire pole? Add the Fire Truck Clothes Pole, perfect to reduce clutter and keep little jackets and hats off the floor. Whatever style your child prefers you can be sure to find it at Sensory Edge. Labels: bedroom, girls, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Give Them Their Own Place To Sit
 With terrific weather, you are bound to be heading out for all sorts of fun and exciting activities with your family. Perhaps you have somebody who is on a softball team and you will be checking out the games. There may also be all kinds of fishing trips and other nature adventures that you will be able to enjoy with some of your family members and friends. No matter where you go, you already know that it is easier if your children have a good spot where they can sit and relax. This is when something simple and innovative such as the Kids Folding Rocking Chair definitely comes in handy. Now, when you are out and about at certain activities, your child can sit in their very own seat instead of constantly fidgeting around. To make these chairs even better, not only are they colorful and fun, but they also rock and fold up for easy transport wherever you need to go. Whether you are sitting at home in the family room or out at a picnic on a beautiful day, these rockers by Hoohobbers are a must when you have children in the home. To make the folding rocking chair even more fun, you also have the option of personalizing it for the child. This can make a terrific gift on a holiday or for a birthday if you are looking for something special to give. You are guaranteed to see that all of your friends will be wondering where they can get a rocking chair just like it for their kids! Labels: children, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, February 28, 2007
You Just Can't Beat A Bean Bag
If you were ever a child, or even a child at heart in your older years, then you are already well aware of just how great a bean bag can be. Growing up, the chances are really good that you had a bean bag yourself, either in your family room or in your bedroom. You might have even had more than one that you and your friends or siblings liked to hang out on while watching television, playing games and so on. Have you ever thought of bringing the fun, convenience and comfort of a bean bag into your own home for your children now that you are all grown up? Today, there are just tons of different designs that are great for children of any age. Whether you have a toddler, a teen or even a range of ages within your household, bean bags are truly a fun and easy way for your kids to feel comfortable while enjoying many of their favorite indoor activities. Do you normally have a fun movie night at home with the family? If so, a couple of bean bags to match your living room decor can be a nice way for the kids to relax with the adults. This way, the children have a cozy way to hunker down for the movie and mom and dad can snuggle up and enjoy the film! Playing video games, reading in their room or even just hanging with friends are all terrific occasions to break out the bean bags. All you have to do is find a great bean bag design that your kids will love! Labels: children, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Scent-tastic Craft Idea For Girls
Anytime you have a little girl, you are sure to see that she will be very interested in everything that you do. This will definitely include the regular ritual that you have every single morning when you are getting ready or later on at night if you are going to be heading out for a dinner with your husband or another special event. In addition to being interested in all of your clothing and jewelry, you are sure to see that your little girl will fall in love with the kind of perfume that you wear, possibly even asking you if she can have a spray or two from time to time. Instead of simply spraying the perfume, you can also let her know just how some of the different scents are put together. The Perfumery Scent Making Science Kit is a fun and fabulous way to show your daughter different ways to mix scents to create something wonderful that she and all of her friends can enjoy. Including in this kit, you will find everything that you need to make various scents, including wonderful vials that you can save them in. Recommended for girls ages 8 and older, you are sure to find hours of fun and learning with your kids when you have this great science kit. Taking her interest in perfume to a whole new level can be a terrific learning experience for everybody involved. Such a kit may even spark her interest in other kinds of science projects! Labels: girls, kids
posted by SensoryEdge
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Thursday, February 08, 2007
Get A Jump On The Good Weather
If you are sick and tired of the cold and bitter weather that winter can throw your way, you might want to think of doing a little bit of shopping for the fun outdoor items that you want for your kids this year. You might find that you have a little chunk of your tax refund that you will want to use or even a bit of money that you have saved aside for such a purpose. When it comes to outdoor fun with your kids, you are sure to find lots of reasons to start shopping early. Perhaps you need a new area set up outside for the sandbox, or you may even be looking into a brand new climbing area or swing set. No matter what you decide on for outdoor toys, it may also be a terrific idea to have some type of a great seating area when it comes to lunch time in the middle of a play date or even a kids table for barbecue gatherings with friends. For something like this, a picnic table sized just right for kids might just be the perfect addition to your backyard this year. KidKraft has a perfect solution to your outdoor seating needs with their Adirondack Picnic Table. This table is proven to be able to stand up to the elements of the outdoors along with everything that kids can throw its way. You will see that this is a nice place to set up lunch on a beautiful day or even an outdoor craft session! Labels: kids, seating
posted by SensoryEdge
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