Education - Parenting Healthy

5 Must Have Books for Kids Ages 5-8 in 2019

With school back in and Holidays nearing, finding new books is a constant. We may need books for reading homework, class reading, gift ideas and at home bedtime routines. There are so many new titles daily and I found 5 Must Have Books for Kids Ages 5-8.

The Boring Book

The Boring Book features one particularly bored boy as he discovers, there’s actually more to boredom than meets the eye—more questions, more theories, and heaps of humor. It is playfully—and hilariously—unpacks the ways in which a seemingly stagnant state is actually a portal into a dynamic, life-enriching experience.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Grown-Ups Never Do That

Grown-Ups Never Do That is as unbelievable as it may seem, but sometimes even grown-ups misbehave! It’s a rollicking tale, showcasing the humor—and the humanity—of the most important people in kids’ lives.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley)

Get Up, Stand up is an adaptation of one of Bob Marley’s beloved songs and has a timely message for children: To counter injustice, lift others up with kindness and courage. As a young girl goes on with her day in school, she comes across several instances of teasing and intimidation. But with loving action and some help from her friends, she’s able to make things right for herself and others.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Caspian Finds a Friend

Caspian lives in a lighthouse surrounded by a cold gray-blue sea—every day, he watches, wishing for a friend, but no one comes. So, Caspian decides that wishing is not enough. What follows is a friendship story between a boy and a bear that is tender, warm, and perfect for gift-giving.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Most of the Better Natural Things in the World

With just one word per page, in lush, color-rich landscapes, we learn about the features that make up our world: an archipelago, a dune, an isthmus, a lagoon. Across them all, the tiger roams.

Chronicle Books – Amazon – Author

Comment: I was sent titles and chose some to feature on my own

Education, Infant Toddler Products

High Contrast Educational Flashcards for Baby

September 19, 2019October 2, 2019 Erin Sluka

One of the easiest developmental stages we can help our baby develop is visual stimulation. We do this by using high contrast toys and books or educational flashcards for baby like the varieties from Banana Panda.

The boldness of black and white images stand out best for baby as they start off seeing a blurry world from their eyes. With pops of color like yellows, reds and other primary colors it really is engaging for baby.

High contrast shapes and patterns provide the baby with something simple and engaging to focus on, and in this focus – or intense concentration – they can allow their minds to rest. Researchers have repeatedly shown that newborns prefer to look at black and white geometric shapes, rather than bright colors or pastels.

These make fantastic gifts for new parents on your next baby shower invite. Find Banana Panda – The Way I See It Educational Flash Cards on Amazon. Find High Contrast Flash Cards on a Ring on Amazon.

Comment: I was sent product for this authentic feature. All opinions are my own

Education, Infant Toddler Products

Teach My Baby Learning Kit – Spend 20 Minutes a Day Learning with Baby

September 14, 2019September 14, 2019 Erin Sluka

Is it Baby Fever around you this season? We know so many families expecting babies right now. Our oldest son sees his friends having babies often this year. When I have to get a gift for a new parent I love gifts that educate like books, learning DVD’s and learning kits. Teach My Learning Kits are always a hit when I gift them.

Teach My says you can do a lot of learning and growing at just 20 minutes a day and I personally believe that is a great number – 20 minutes! Every night since our 11 year old was an infant I take the last 10-20 minutes of our day and read with him. He is in middle school and doesn’t need me tucking him in anymore (sniff, sniff), but I truly credit our small evening time to his excellent reading and learning skills.

Teach My has award winning all-in-one learning kits for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. No need to spend hundreds of dollars going to several stores buying individual teaching tools, Teach My kits provide everything necessary for learning with baby the basics, all in a portable and storable case.

What’s Included in Teach My Baby Learning Kit?

12 One Piece Puzzles
6 Two Piece Puzzles
6 Touch and Feel Flashcards
6 Mirrored Flashcards
6 Nesting Blocks
5 Finger Puppets
4 Board Books
1 Double-Sided Storyboard
Teaching Guide
Storage case

Connect with Teach My by visiting their website

Buy Teach My Kits

Education, Kids, Reviews, School, STEM Learning, Tips and Tricks

Learn How To Make Your Own Animation Videos – Online Course

September 9, 2019September 12, 2019 Erin Sluka

This summer I sat our youngest down as we do all our boys through the years and made a summer learning plan. On one hand I do not want to destroy their summer break, yet I know that the summer slide is real and it can take several weeks to get back into learning mode when it has disappeared so many months. In all of my research and own trials, just 20 minutes a day is enough. So, I try to find fun ways to incorporate some learning.

Anthony had asked for some animation tablet accessories for his birthday last spring and has been wanting to learn to use it. We discovered Outschool that has so many online courses for kids from subjects to how-to’s like how to make your own animation videos, how to code, etc. and STEM-inspired. They even have different ‘video game’ related learning. He found a course and we signed up: How To Make Awesome Animated Movies.

Here is a very brief overview of Anthony’s course below:

Anthony logged on every Thursday from 3-3:50 for 4 weeks. Each week they were given a lesson and then for the week had a (fun) assignment to share next class.

Once you register for a course at Outschool or even join their email list you get notified every time new classes start or are added. There are so many! And some classes are just a couple of dollars. You see who teaches the classes and can click on their profiles, options for class times and all you will need before day one such as programs to download or equipment you’ll need, etc. By the time the class starts everyone should be ready to roll so it is seamless.

Being as how my son took a class that mainly consisted of his age group (you can sort classes by age group so younger kids don’t end up in teens classes and vice versa) some kids were setting up solo and needed extra help, but the Teacher was good about allowing a few moments to walk these kids through it and move on for the rest of the class. You always have access to direct message your Teacher too if you have questions you need to ask without the entire class. It was a fun experience and a great way to add some extra learning at home.

Head over to the online courses at Outschool today and find something fun to learn about!

Comment: Samples were sent for feature. Opinions are my own