Pop for Sight Words Games from Learning Resources Review & Giveaway

Disclosure: This review was written for Learning Resources. Items were received for review purpose only and no other compensation was provided. All opinions written are my own.

We are back to school and, only two weeks in, we are in full homework mode. Josiah is in first grade and, in kindergarten, had some issues with phonics. We practiced sight words and reading over the summer, but it just wasn't going anywhere. As soon as he began school, the teacher started sending home more sight word flash cards, so I knew we had to mix things up, especially since he will soon have his very first spelling test! Learning Resources Pop for Sight Words Games are not only educational, but a fun way for kids to learn, so we were excited to try them out.

About Pop For Sight Words Bundle (includes Pop for Sight Words 1 and 2)
These games make sight word practice fun! They pick, recognize and read aloud almost 200 high-frequency words, but look out for the POP cards. Players pick a card, say the word and, if read correctly, they keep it. However, if a POP card is accidently picked, the player must put back ALL of their words. This game is recommended for ages 5-7 and 2-4 players can play at a time.

Our Thoughts
Josiah has been so nervous about all of the new words he has to learn, but was getting frustrated with the flash cards. We received both Pop for Sight Words and Pop for Sight Words 2. I couldn't wait to get POP for Sight Words out this weekend to see what Josiah thought. We are starting with the 1st set of flash cards and, upon open up the game, I found that these were perfect for his reading level and for first grade. Many of the words were the same high-frequency words on his current list and others were words he either has learned or will learn in the near future. I knew this would be a great way for him to get some extra practice in!

Josiah picking out his next word.

As soon as we started playing, Josiah was sounding out the letter sounds, putting them together and reading the words like a pro. The more he sounded out the letters, the better he got at even figuring out words he had not practiced yet. I noticed immediately that this game was giving him the encouragement and reassurance he has needed to succeed with learning words and reading. He is often unsure of himself and doesn't want to say words incorrectly, so Pop for Sight Words was great practice and he would get so excited every time he got one right.

Learning -sh words has been tough, but he got this one right and was so proud!

There were so words that he still got wrong, but that's okay because those go back in the box to be picked in the future, which gives him another change and more practice, too.

Pop Cards

Mama was the first to draw one of the POP! cards and had to put all cards back into the box! Josiah thought that was hilarious until he picked one, too. That definitely evens the field as time goes on, but then I picked another POP card. We played this game for close the 45 minutes before he started losing interest, which is really a record. He was so into this game that we have already played it several times since the first time. Sometimes I go through and pick our specific words I know we should focus on and other times we just play with all of them to help add to his vocabulary.

Josiah was not only surprised, but beyond happy to win the game. I think this is the beginning of a very successful first grade and the more we practice and play Pop for Sight Words, the more he will improve and gain confidence in himself. I think this is a great game for all kids who need practice with phonics. We homeschooled last year and this would have been perfect as an add-in with the curriculum. The words are great for kindergarten and first grade.

Josiah was all smiles when he won the game!

Ready For a Giveaway?

Thanks to Learning Resources,  One Lucky Reader Will Receive Their Own Pop For Sight Words Bundle! 

The Best US Cities For Child Education

Any parents looking to relocate that have young children, be it for work, family or other reasons, want to know that the education options in their chosen city will be the best possible. A good education from a young age is crucial to children getting the right start in life, so educational establishments that have a strong academic ethos, together with varied options for sporting and other recreational activities, are an attractive draw for young families.

Parents look for a well-rounded education for their children, but are also keen that any special talents their young ones may have are spotted and developed as early as possible. Excellent teaching, good staff to student ratios and a range of arts and sporting facilities make a school attractive.

Public and private school systems

The majority of children attend public schools, some 90%, and these schools are subsidized by the taxpayer, with policies, curricula and other matters determined by school boards locally. There are three school education levels: elementary, middle (sometimes known as junior high) and high. The other 10% of children attend private schools, and these are not subsidized, with fees being paid by parents, guardians or others. Most private schools offer scholarships or bursaries to help children from lower income families to have the opportunity to attend.

Top 5 cities

San Francisco

One of the world’s greatest cities with a vibrant and diverse economy, San Francisco’s Unified School District ranks amongst the top-performing large city districts in California and the nation as a whole. With half of the USD schools ranking above the state average it is in the top 40 per cent nationwide. Newsweek has named four of its high schools as being among the best in the country.

Portland

Portland prides itself as a progressive city, and though the climate may not suit all (with plenty of rain) it has community-based alternative education programs to go with its 85 public schools, and a number of special services programs too, allowing lots of choice. Major companies, such as Nike, are based there, and the arts and music scene prove a huge draw for families, as well as proximity to the great outdoors.

Tampa

Florida’s warm year-round climate is an attractive reason for moving, and Florida property is more affordable than many may think. Tampa offers over 243 schools and dozens of alternative education options, such as magnet and charter schools, coupled with early childhood learning centers. Museums and galleries are an additional attraction for families, as are the professional sports teams.

Honolulu

With small teacher-student ratios, Honolulu is part of Hawaii Public Schools District and, apart from the added personal attention students get, it has one of the top-performing high schools in the nation and several excellent elementary schools. The cost of living is high, but the quality of education and opportunities for sun, sand and surf make for a top place to bring up children.

Raleigh

North Carolina’s capital city offers great choices for children’s education with over 150 schools available, from elementary through to high. Choices include a healthy magnet program and various charter schools as well as traditional approaches. The city is culturally diverse, and over 90% of students expect to go on to some type of higher education.

VTech MobiGo 2 Review - Portable Educational Fun

I love finding fun and educational toys for our children,but as my children get older, finding items that will hold attention are much harder to find. This is why I was excited to review the new VTech MobiGo 2! My niece has the MobiGo and loves it, so when I heard about the new one, we couldn't wait to try it for ourselves.

The MobiGo 2 has games and features that are great for ages 3 to 8 years of age, which is great because all the kids can get something educational from it. This great handheld learning system offers a variety of ways for children to learn and have fun while doing so! There are three games already on the MobiGo 2 and you can download many more via the Learning Lodge, which can be easily downloaded onto your computer.

The games and apps teach great skills, including math, vocabulary, spelling, reading, logic, drawing and more! These are perfect for both of my boys who are learning basic skills. Liam is about to turn three and Josiah is five, so they have really enjoyed the games we have. I think their favorite is the Hamster Highway so far, which teaches coordination and numbers.

About to play Hamster Highway!

The Shooting Gallery is one that Josiah also enjoys and it's been great since it goes along what we are learning in his studies. It teaches letters and, since the MobiGo 2 has a QWERTY keyboard, he learns the keyboard layout, too. The game starts out easy so kids can grasp the concepts and gets harder as they progress.

We have only downloaded one game so far, but there are many more games and e-books from which to choose on the Learning Lodge, all for very low prices. Plus, you can find games at stores, too. Josiah has expressed interest in the Scooby Doo and Jake and the Neverland Pirates games for Christmas. I am very excited that he is showing interest in the MobiGo 2 and think this will be a great activity for him in between studying and school. Since we are homeschooling this year, I think this will definitely add to his experience in an educational and fun way, especially when he starts reading in a month or two. I can't wait!

In addition to the games and e-books, the MobiGo 2 also has a photo album, photo viewer art studio and coloring book. Liam has particularly enjoyed the art studio and coloring book since they are easier. Using a touchscreen is also easy for him and I can tell he has enjoyed playing games just like a big boy.

Not only do the kids getting something fun and educational from the MobiGo 2. Parents can keep up with their children's progress via the Learning Lodge. When we first started, I made accounts for the children so they can play under their own names and I can see how far they have gotten on the games. This will give ma a good idea of how they are progressing with their studies, too.

So, needless to say, the MobiGo2 has been a huge hit in our house and we've already gone through several batteries. I think I am just as excited as the kids when we get new games to try out and it will be hard to wait until Christmas to buy Josiah the games he wants. I may just have to spoil him further and buy one ahead of time.

Have you tried the MobiGo 2 yet? 

This would make a great present for the upcoming holidays and/or for a birthday! 

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for VTech. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

Kiddie Academy Franchise Opportunity & Success Stories Part 4: Dwight from Pennsylvania

We have been sharing some wonderful stories of those who have opened Kiddie Academy franchise locations around the United States over the past months and I have another amazing story to relay. Before I do so, I wanted to stress the importance of a great education for our children, as they are the future leaders of the nation. This is why I believe it is so important to start educating at such a young age and Kiddie Academy does just that. They are education-based childcare centers and currently searching for franchisees in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas. I so wish we lived there so I could be considered for this opportunity! So, without further ado, here is the story of Dwight's franchise experience with Kiddie Academy:

Dwight Wilkinson opened his Kiddie Academy, located at 1020 Horsham Road in North Wales, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 2003, at the age of 42. He has remained dedicated to educational excellence, which along with a passion for children’s mental and physcial development, has helped him and his academy achieve success.

Background: As a previous business owner of a Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Shop, Dwight Wilkinson was looking for a business concept that would grant him more time with his wife and four children. He began researching opportunities with a Monday - Friday schedule to help accommodate his family-oriented lifestyle and responsibilities as a community volunteer and coach of his children’s soccer, basketball and baseball teams. Dwight narrowed his search down to the child care franchise industry due to his love of children and managerial background. After two years of looking at child care companies, he chose Kiddie Academy for its warm, caring personality. He found Kiddie Academy to have a vested interest in the success and well-being of their franchisees. He has remained dedicated to educational excellence, which along with a passion for children’s mental and physical development, has helped him and his academy achieve success.

Goals: Dwight often sets goals around educational achievements and finds opportunities for his academy to reach a higher standard. He continually looks to improve the quality of services at his Kiddie Academy, whether through hiring qualified, passionate staff members or adding educational resources. Dwight hopes to grow his academy’s enrollment and is looking into the possibility of opening a second location in the future.

Challenges: Each new generation of parents find a new way to communicate with each other, their children and their child care providers. For Dwight, finding the most effective way to communicate with his families has proved to have its challenges. However, by experimenting with various communication methods, including take home folders, outdoor signage and technology, he has learned more about the consumer and how to reach his target audience.

Results: Dwight’s hard work and commitment has earned him great success. His academy was recently licensed by the Department of Education and accredited by AdvancEd, which is an achievement no other child care in his area can claim. From a personal stance, becoming a Kiddie Academy franchisee has been both fun and rewarding for Dwight. It has given him a better quality of life and allowed him time to spend with his children and family.

I am partnering with Kiddie Academy Franchising to write a series of posts about opportunities; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

Carson-Dellosa Summer Bridge Activities Educational Gift Package

My son is so excited about school getting out on his birthday, June 8th! He has worked so hard this year and learned so much from his amazing teachers. I remember when I was a child, I never looked at a book or learned anything worthwhile the entire summer, but I definitely don't want this for my children. I want them to have a fun summer that is also educational!

It is very important to keep up with the learning process during the summer, especially for young children who are still learning the basics. Josiah has been learning his alphabet, sounds and numbers. If he went a few months without practice, he wouldn't retain much by the next school year. Research shows that children can lose up to 2.5 months of learning during the summer, which causes teachers to re-teach those skills the following year for 2-4 weeks! It's important as parents and caregivers to make sure this doesn't happen. Here are some fun facts about education and why it is important to practice during the summer break.

This summer we can do our part as parents to refresh our children's skills and that's where Carson-Dellosa comes into play. Their products, such as the Summer Bridge Activities items, help kids prepare for the upcoming school year and keep their skills sharp throughout the summer months!

Thanks to Carson-Dellosa, One Lucky Children Teaching Mama Reader Will Receive An Awesome Summer Learning Gift Pack. 

The pack includes:

• 1 Summer Bridge Activities Workbook (grade of winner's choice)
• 1 Summer Bridge Activities Card Set (grade of winner's choice)
• 2 Sun Notepads
• 2 Packs of Sea Life Name Tags
• 1 Pack of Sea Life Mini Incentive Charts

To enter just use the Rafflecopter form below! This giveaway is for US Residents only. All entries must be received before Sunday, June 10th at 12:01am. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Impact of Reading

The Impact of Reading

Article submitted by Kathleen Thomas on behalf of Primrose Schools

It has long been known that early reading is a key predictor of academic success in children. Early reading includes being read to and interacting with books, and may begin when the child is still in the womb. While reading may sound simple, parents are often at a loss as to just how to implement reading time with their children. Suggestions are given here for parents to develop productive and fun early reading experiences that will help build a strong foundation for children to become successful readers.

First, show interest in reading. Exaggerating expressions, words, and excitement about the book will help young children begin to develop a connection between sounds and meaning. It will also show them that you are excited about reading. Getting creative and making up a more personalized story will also make the story more interesting. Even reading your own books will help your children see that you enjoy reading, and may instill more enjoyment of reading in them as well.

Second, read with your children and not just to them. Make the story interactive by directing their attention to pictures. Ask questions that elicit age-appropriate responses, such as animal sounds and colors. Often, repetitive phrases that they can repeat will help them interact more and make them feel like they can read along with you. As children get older, they will ask questions and point to pictures themselves. They will retell stories in their own words and may even create brand new stories to go with the pictures. This illustrates their understanding that stories are communicated through books, and is an important stage in developing good readers.

Third, schedule time for reading, beginning in infancy. It is important to sit down every day and read with a child. Even though children will have reading time at preschool, leaving reading solely for school time will not help children develop into early and active readers. Connecting regularly with them over a book will develop their reading skills as well as your enjoyment in being together.

Fourth, choose an appropriate book. Consider the interests, reading level, and language development of your child. A preschooler needs lots of interesting pictures and language simple enough to understand. Think back to your own favorite books as a child and share them with your child. By choosing books you enjoy, you will be more willing to read them over and over, which every child will want to do. As children get older, ask teachers for recommendations, especially those related to topics being covered in class. Reading these books at home will help strengthen reading skills, and may also positively impact knowledge of other school subject matter.

Finally, make appropriate books readily available. Having a variety of different topics will appeal to many interests, especially when the books are age-appropriate. Keep a stash of books in the car. Children will be able to enjoy reading on the road, and a few books can easily be grabbed when a waiting period is expected at the doctor’s office or anywhere else. The local library is an excellent resource for finding books that your children will enjoy that are interesting, appealing, and appropriate.

By considering and acting on the tips above, parents can provide their children with the best possible path to becoming a good reader even before preschool. Helping develop reading skills can also strengthen language skills in general, and will provide a support system as children develop cognitively. Parental support of early reading not only provides your child with the tools for greater academic success later, but opens worlds for them that would be inaccessible without books.