Tag: education

Education, Infant Toddler Products

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

Erin Sluka
Teach My Baby Learning Kit - Spend 20 Minutes a Day Learning with Baby

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

Erin Sluka
Learn How To Make Your Own Animation Videos - Online Course

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

2018 Holiday Gifts, Education, Reviews by Anthony, STEM Learning, Toy Reviews

Kiwi Co. The Glow Lab STEM Science Kit

Erin Sluka

Kiwi Co. The Glow Lab STEM Science Kit

2018 Holiday Gift Guide Feature: The Glow Lab

The Glow Lab is one of the project kits from KiwiCo and will be a hit in homes. In this lab kit you get everything you need to complete 3 experiments: fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence. It is rated for ages 14+ but I tried it (supervised) with Anthony who is 10 1/2 and here is a video below:

At Kiwi Co there are STEM kits and projects for ages 3-teens! The most popular choice are the Kiwi Crates. These are monthly subscriptions you can send once or every month for years. Pick an age (you can change that age at anytime) and they get a new kit every month and the longer you order your subscription for the more you save and even getting science kits sent for under $20!

kiwi

If a subscription service is not your thing, then you can shop their kits by age and category.

Shopping for Science Kits

Available at Kiwi Co along with more science its for all ages.

Need more gift ideas? Visit the 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!

Back to School 2018, Education, Kids, Reviews, Toy Reviews

Bring Music Class Home with the VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine

Erin Sluka

 I have partnered with VTech for this feature

When you hear the word ‘music’ you probably think about tunes or your favorite radio station. But, did you know that the word music has such a beneficial meaning when you introduce it to children? Not only does music introduce  a new skill that involves the brain and body working together, it ignites all the senses. VTech has the Kidi Star Karaoke Machine that helps bring music class home.

Music helps children learn sounds and word meanings. Dancing helps children improve their motor skills as well as allow for self-expression. Then you also add the benefit of recall and memory skills.

One of the best features of this karaoke machine is the stand opinion. This makes it so easy to share the fun with a friend or sibling. The disco ball is a lot of fun too. Turn off the lights and like me, you will be amazed how well it illuminates around the room on the walls and even the ceiling too.

It is such an easy interface that it is usable for as young as 4 years old. The added computer-like screen adds an element of STEM play when you have to configure and toggle through options to bring our musical creation to life. With options like games to play and to connect to any device to bring the music library you already have created to the speaker is so much fun.

You can add audience sounds like applause, cheering and laughter so it really feels like you’re onstage at a concert! Record yourself for up to five minutes and add fun voice-changing effects, then listen to and enjoy your performance. Visit VTech for more fun and also find the VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine at Amazon.