Rock ‘N Learn! : Phonics DVD's 1 &2 (Review & giveaway)

I am home schooling my Kindergartner and my Pre-school aged children this year. It can be a challenge home schooling when 3 of the kids are ages 5 and under. I was very thankful to review for Rock 'N Learn! I really like the DVD's that they sent me. Teaching phonics, sounds of letters, spelling, etc. can be a challenge ~ and a big job! Rock 'N Learn has put together great DVD's that teaches these concepts so great! I was very impressed with these videos.

Rock 'N Learn starts off with teaching the vowels: a,e,i, o, u and sometimes y. Learning the vowels, consonants, and other parts of speech are taught in the Rock 'N Learn DVD's by fun, and catchy worded songs. My kids had a great time dancing and singing along to the songs. (All the while they are learning). The video also has sounding out words, and with this, the video shows the letter, the word, the mouth movements, and a picture. I really like how Rock 'N Learn put this together. Kids get a visual of the letter, picture and word (for the visual learner)
and they can watch how the mouth forms the word, which can help kids work on their pronunciation. Some kids really learn well by watching the mouth move with the words/sounds/letters. Check out this video clip of my kids watching the Rock N' Learn video:


I know that these videos will be very helpful with teaching phonics, and introducing reading to my kids. I think these videos are very educational and very helpful. I recommend these videos!
Rock 'N Learn Phonics (volume 1) has short sounds, consonants, blends & diagraphs, word families, silent e, and read-along stories. The DVD is approximately 70 minutes long. You can also visit free-phonics-worksheets.com for printable resources to go with the phonics programs from Rock N' Learn, as well.
Rock 'N Learn Phonics (volume 2) has long vowels, vowel combinations, syllables, ending sounds, silent consonants, and read-along stories.

The Rock 'N Learn videos are so great for a resource to teach your kids the basics to letters, sounds, and reading readiness. The DVD's have catchy songs and my kids love them.

Check out Rock 'N Learn's Facebook page.

***ENTER TO WIN***
This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States & Canada, and the contest is open until midnight October 23rd, 2010. To enter, go to the Rock 'n Learn website and check out what they have to offer. Comment here about what you found out and sounded interesting to you.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you found helpful for teaching phonics/reading to your kids. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Rock 'N Learn. They have provided me with 2 Phonics DVD's to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review (same 2 DVD's for one winner). I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

New Boon Bath Toys~ and a GIVEAWAY!

Bath time is such a fun time at our house! Our kids really enjoy their time in the tub, and we don't get any crying to go into the tub....just to get out! We recently got a few of the new Boon bath toys, Scrubble and Splat, and now my kids are having an even harder time getting out! I love the new toys! Scrubble is a set of 3 toys that have spouts (for squirting water out~ or at each other), the tops are interchangable, textured, and can even be washed in the dishwasher! I love that they are cleanable!

So many toys can get mold build-up, and with Boon, Inc. I don't need to worry about that! Plus, Boon's products are BpA- Free, Phthalate- Free, and PVC- Free! Boon's products are super safe!

Another new Boon Bath toy that we got was the Splat! This is a great set that promotes eye-hand coordination! This is the ring toss game. You get 3 colorful rings, and a "splat" target. My kids really enjoy trying to ring-the-target, and also put the rings on their wrists. Caleb uses the rings as power bands, and Maddie uses them as bracelets. Either way this toy is loved in and our of the tub! The Splat target floats nicely, and is made very well! It makes it extra challenging to hit the target when the water is moving it around.
Caleb made the target! What an accomplishment! He was so excited!

Maddie takes the easy route and puts the splat right in front of her. That's alright, someday she will move it away from her for the challenge.
Splat is available for $7.99, and Scrubble is available for $9.99, and I would say those are great prices to bring joy and entertainment for your kids! They are learning while using Boon's bath toys! Boon also has another new bath toy called Water Bugs which looks like a lot of fun! Your child can use the Boon net to scoop up 3 colorful water bugs! That retails for $7.99.
Thanks to Boon, you have a chance to enter to win a new bath toy! This contest is open to those in the United States. Go to the Boon, Inc. website, and look at the new bath toys. Comment here about which set appeals to you best. You may comment on as many other posts (that I have written in the past) as you want to for an additional entry, just leave the url in your additional comment! You have many chances to enter this contest! In order to qualify, you must do what is required. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just tweet about this giveaway and leave the url in your comment AND/OR Click here to see how you can earn even more extra credits to win!! Click here to see guidelines and the official rules. Contest will end on April 15TH, 2009 at 11:59 PM CST. GOOD LUCK

Sign Language = good communication!

I love that I have found out about teaching children Sign Language! My children have caught on to sign language pretty quickly, and they LOVE the Signing Time videos featuring Rachel, Alex, Leah....and we can't forget Hopkins! With the kids learning Signing, we have been able to know what they want even before they were talking clearly. Madelyn has used so many signs while talking! This is a language that can be used throughout their life, and it opens the doors for communicating with the deaf. I love signing because I love talking with my hands, plus I think it is a great way to worship! I have always been fascinated with those who signed!

Signing Time videos are so great! Rachel Coleman sings fun songs, Leah and Alex help "show/act" the sign being taught, and there are fun characters to animate the signs! Rachel uses a lot of repetitiveness to help make the sign be remembered. I often find myself singing songs from the videos during my day. The songs are catchy, and it really helps kids grasp the signs when put to music. Rachel Coleman, the star of Signing Time, helps the viewers to know why a sign is used for a particular thing. She does a fantastic job!
I wanted to let you know of a great promotion that Signing Time has going on for this month! If you purchase Baby Signing Time DVD Gift Set Vol. 1-4, you will save over 25%! This special promotion includes a bonus "Good Night Baby CD" and FREE Shipping! There is no coupon code needed for this great deal! You have until March 31 to take advantage of this offer!

I highly recommend Signing Time videos to teach your children (and yourself) a new language! You really can communicate with your child even before their "first spoken words."

SmarteBear is "preferred" for kids PLUS a giveaway!

I am excited to share with you a toy parents can love, appreciate, and give to your kids with full confidence! The all new interactive toy, SmarteBear is a new technology toy that will be completely loved, adored and cherished by your toddlers! The SmarteBear is extremely soft and cuddly! I was very impressed with the quality and cuddliness of this adorable pet! SmarteBear comes in 3 adorable characters: bear, cat and dog.

SmarteBear sings award winning songs (with a wide variety from lullaby's, fun songs, learning songs and dancing songs), tells interactive stories, plays educational games and more! This is the toy of the times, because it is the ipod for toddlers with being able to download more songs, games and stories to suit you and your child's likes and tastes. The SmarteBear comes with a USB port that you just plug into the computer. This toy can grow with your child, too because as your child's tastes change, you can change SmarteBear's settings online.
There is a box (about the size of a deck of cards) inside the back Velcro pocket on the SmarteBear. On this box is also the power button, and 2 volume buttons (up and down). That is a huge plus about this toy! He gives kids options to chose which activity he will do next by either squeezing his hand for yes, or squeezing his foot for no. I really like that feature because it gives kids options, and lets them be in control of how they want to play. I think this toy is great for individual play, road trips, nap times, and more! There is even a headphone jack on the plastic battery case, so my kids can play and have fun without me needing to listen to it over and over. Another Parent bonus!

My kids have had so much fun with it already! I am sure it will be a toy they will wear out!
SmarteBear teaches the kids their colors with the colorful circles on his paws (hands and feet). In this picture, Caleb is playing Simon Says with his SmarteDog! SmarteDog says,"Simon says squeeze my red hand." Not only does Caleb have to find the right color, he has to know if it is the hand or foot. I think this builds up great listening skills, coordination, and following directions.
This is an excellent choice for your little toddler, and it would make a great Christmas gift! SmarteBear not only won the NAPPA Gold award , but also was a Dr. Toy's Best 10 Technology Toys and Best 100 Products, Top Kid Tech Gifts in Tom's Guide, won a Greatest Products award from iParenting Media Awards! Intellitoys smart-e-bear is a joint venture with award-winning Kids Preferred. Together they created the newest software that is stored in these adorable animals!
Designed for ages 2+, and specifically for those who are not reading yet up to age 6. Smart-e-bear retails for $79.99 and can be found at online retailers ToysRUs, Target, Hammacher, Amazon, and other specialty toy stores. Requires 2 "AA" batteries, included for demonstration (will need to be replaced).

Would you like a chance to win a SmarteBear? Just in time for Christmas, Intellitoys and KidsPreffered has offered to sponsor a giveaway for my readers! This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To get your first entry, you need to go to the SmarteBear website, click on Fun & Educational Songs, Stories and Games and choose a category. Come and let me know what you found to be interesting and which you would download if you had a smart-e-bear. You may come back each day and enter (again) after you do the first rule, just leave a comment about what other great things you found out at the SmarteBear website. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules. Contest will end on December 15th, at 7:00 PM CST. GOOD LUCK!

Toddler Tote: making travel time easier

I like coming across new toys that are both educational and fun for my kids to play with. The Toddler Tote encourages children to work on their eye and hand coordination, learning their colors and shapes, and increasing their fine motor development. The colorful shapes are made from Lauri Crepe Rubber. The Toddler Tote includes large and small geometric shape puzzles with a 9" square carrying case. The carrying case makes this a great activity for my kids to bring anywhere. My kids have a fun time putting the pegs in the holes, and stacking the pegs as high as they can. We also like to find the cat, dog and bear...among the other shapes. This product is great for early childhood development and is geared toward ages 2-5 years old. What a great home school resource for pre-school! The Toddler Tote retails for $16.99, and can be found on the NMC Toys website. If you order in 2008, you can use the coupon code : SAVE8 to get 8% off your order. I think this is a great product for toddlers, and would make a great Christmas gift. NMCToys.com has a great selection of toys that are American and European made~ not made in China. Their products are made with the highest quality and safety. They have won several awards and they all meet or exceed USA or European toy safety standards.

Nest Learning: A Review and Giveaway~

With home educating Nathaniel for 3 years, I have really done a lot of research about different approaches with education. All kids have different learning styles, and different ways of grasping ideas and concepts. Nest Learning focuses on providing educational products and supplies, for family teaching times, or more formal curriculum or supplemental instruction. They carry literally thousands of educational and inspirational DVDs, books, curricula, games, toys, lesson plans, and other products for educators and families.
I really wish I would have known about Nest learning when I was home schooling. Nathaniel is a hands on and visual learner. He loves the Abraham Lincoln Interactive DVD and resource book! The Interactive DVD is so entertaining and well put together! We really enjoy watching it as a family. There is so much history in the DVD, and kids don't really know that they are learning while watching a movie.
Nathaniel learns patriotism, good judgment, and honesty with this 30-minute animated educational DVD. This is great for the visual learners!
Each Interactive DVD features: Optional English and Spanish subtitles, a 3-level Adventure Quiz, integrated movie clips, story summaries, a “Principles Guide for Parents & Teachers”, premium website access to a fun-filled Kids' Zone--packed with teaching resources for educators, parents, and caregivers!
Each interactive DVD includes a 48-page Resource & Activity Book full of skill-developing activities, word games, puzzles, coloring pages, and more! Provides hours of fun and learning for the entire family! The special “Certificate of Achievement” located in the back of the book serves as an excellent award your child can display after completing the activities.
This Interactive DVD and Resource book is $41.90 Retail price, and you can get it at Nest Learning for $34.95. They have a special right now for $28.95!

Would you like to win an Interactive DVD and Resource book?

Nest Learning has offered to sponsor a giveaway to one special Sassyfrazz reader! I have a

George Washington Interactive DVD and Resource book to have for a giveaway! Retail value at $41.90, this is a great home school resource! It is just a great educational tool to add to your home to learn our history. This 30-minute educational video shows George Washington at his best -- courageous, determined, humble, brave, and patriotic.

Here are the rules of the contest open to United States bloggers and non-bloggers:

1. Go to Nest Learning and see all the products they carry.

2. Leave a comment on this post with a name of something else that Nest Learning carries.

3. For an additional comment, and chance to win, you can blog about this contest. Be sure to leave another comment.

4. If you subscribe to my posts, you will get an additional entry!

Contest is open until April 2nd at 7:00 PM CST

ESRB, what is that?

There are so many "commercials" out there throwing pornography, drugs, alcohol, sex, smoking....etc., into everything we see. If you look around it is everywhere! Billboards, magazines, books, commercials, ads, newspapers, TV, movies....and GAMES! I am sure I have missed quite a few other areas where they are sneaky and throw more pornography in the mix, and alcohol, drugs, smoking...you name it. Everything we want to keep our kids out of. I know that I can do what I can to protect what comes into my home, or what is viewed in my home ~ to some extent. Even though it is splashed all over in the world, I would like to protect the innocent eyes of my children, my husband, and myself. Most people know that movies have ratings (G, PG-13, PG, R), but did you know that your games have ratings, too? We are big time gamers in this home, and competitive, too! I have looked for these ratings on the boxes before I even look to see what the game is about. I don't even want to be enticed by something I don't want to subject my eyes, or my family's eyes to. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit company that assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry. They have 6 ratings for games based on the content in the games.

You can set parental control features on popular video game consoles. Just visit this site:
http://www.esrb.org/about/parentalcontrols.jsp, to learn how to do that. The ESRB provides other helpful tips for parents, including an online tools to search for game ratings and resources for family-friendly video games and online safety. We, as parents, need to be watchful about our kid's Internet downloads! We need to make sure that our children aren't making unauthorized or illegal modifications to software and hardware that remove protective controls. I am definitely going to educate myself with all this information. Nathaniel is just around the corner from using the computer more steadily. I would like to protect his eyes from the horrific things out there as much as possible. I am so thankful for this great tool we have to use.