Can Video Games Actually Be Helpful to Kids?

Have you ever wondered if video games are harmful or actually helpful to kids? There are arguments on both sides for good reason. You can definitely have too much of a good thing, but are video games for kids that bad? 

No matter how much you try to escape it, technology is a huge part of everyday life. We rely on computers and smart phones for just about everything. Workplaces and schools require using computers. I remember when my kids were little, I was the anti-gaming mom. I only saw the negatives in it. It turned out that I was so wrong. I came to the realization that gaming can be a tool for learning. If your child is just starting out on the computer, gaming can help them learn more about the keyboard which aids in typing practice. That is how my son improved his typing skills. 

For younger kids, some games can help them perfect using the mouse properly and how to use the arrow keys. There are so many fun games for kids that help with matching, math, reading and just for having some downtime. I highly recommend Penguin Cafe Restaurant simulation game. It definitely helps with focus and coordination, while having fun. Your kid will have no idea they are learning! 

Can I tell you something? I enjoy playing computer games myself. I can play Solitaire for hours. It helps to keep my mind stimulated in a positive way. I am always trying to beat my previous score on each game. I need to try some other versions of Solitaire like my daughter does. 

Obviously, you don't want your child to be playing computer games for hours on end, so it is important to set time limits. You can even give them an incentive of extra gaming time if they did a good job in in school or got their chores done early. I have really changed my mind with gaming. It has been very beneficial for my son since he is in virtual school. His typing skills have greatly improved as well as his reading. As a parent, gaming can be a stress reliever. 

Do you have a favorite computer game? 

Shelly 

Two Subscriptions to Buy Your Child to Encourage Learning

The Covid-19 pandemic crippled the education system due to widespread school closures. As a result, parents, teachers, and students were left to seek ways to educate their children, with a significant number opting for homeschooling. On the other hand, educators sought out ways to encourage children to keep learning, which has brought the need for subscriptions. These subscriptions help provide kids with the necessary tools and knowledge that encourage learning.

Try the following subscriptions if you want to join the new schooling system and encourage your child to learn. 

Box Subscriptions

Subscription boxes are packages that will encourage your child to learn. This hot trend involves subscribing to a particular educative company to ensure that you receive a box with items and directions regarding a particular education subject, including art, math, and reading.

These boxes cover a wide variety of subjects; do you want to encourage your little one to write? Try a writer's box. If you want to make them inquisitive of the world around them, subscribe to the science subscription box for kids.

Choosing an Ideal Supplier

When subscribing, however, ensure that you choose a supplier whose boxes are written, curated, and created by teachers or educators with master's degrees and a love for teaching and inspiring people. It would also help to get box subscriptions from a site with an online presence to stay updated with new trends. 

Online Subscriptions

In addition, to getting monthly educational boxes for your child, you may subscribe to online platforms that provide educational lessons. While online subscriptions won't provide your kids with tools, they will provide comprehensive education and instructions. For instance, if your kid is a little scientist, you can find online platforms with DIY scientific videos for kids.

It would also help to subscribe to platforms that provide daily education lessons to ensure that your children get the necessary educative interaction. This way, you will remove the monotonous of having just you as the teacher or books as the main source of information. Ideally, before subscribing to an online educational platform, it would help discuss and encourage your kids to undertake these lessons.

Besides, online subscriptions will allow your child to access the specific educational content they need. For instance, if they miss a school lesson or don't understand more about a written topic, they can search that content on the subscribed platform. This way, they will have the content they need at hand.

Choosing an Ideal Platform

When looking for a site that provides educational online subscriptions, you will find platforms that provide education on a particular subject like art, science, or art. Others are more like schools, where different teachers provide learning in their specific fields of expertise.

Both options will help your child learn. However, getting multiple sites with specific subjects can be expensive. However, it will have more content than a general platform. By the end of the day, it's a matter of budget and preference.

Whether or not you are homeschooling your kids, you can help them reconnect with their love for learning with subscriptions. These subscriptions will teach them the ins and outs of math, science, technology, reading, and art. In addition, you can get monthly subscriptions to ensure that your kids receive updated boxes regularly. 

6 Ways That Your Child Can Benefit From Childcare

Deciding whether or not to send your child to a childcare center can be a challenging decision to make. You may have concerns about leaving them unattended and worry about their feelings. However, there are many reasons why it is a good idea.

Below, we are going to discuss six ways that your child can benefit from attending childcare.

Interested in learning more? Then keep on reading. 

Understanding Emotions

As a child grows, they start to experience all of the different types of emotions, from happiness and joy to frustration and anger. At times this can be overwhelming for them as they don't have the words to express how they really feel. Educators at childcare centers help children manage these emotions with care and support while still teaching about the importance of self-settling. 

Social Interaction

One of the most essential skills that your child learns in childcare is social interaction. Being around other children will help them understand how to form and maintain healthy relationships. They'll learn to share, communicate and listen to others.

If you're looking for a childcare but don't know where to get started, check out Toddle Ringwood. You'll be able to compare centers and locate vacancies. 

Preparation for School

If you want your little one to get a head start before school begins, enrolling them in a childcare is a great step to take. Educators develop programs and activities that help assist in growing their literacy and numeracy skills. They'll learn to recognize letters and numbers and how to write their name. This ensures that they are ready and prepared for their first day. 

Language Development

Language development is essential, and in childcare, educators are trained to promote communication between each child. This is done through group times, one-on-one interactions, and planned activities. Alongside this, regular observations record their progress so that you can see exactly what they are learning. 

Structure and Schedules 

Children benefit from following a schedule. Childcare centers have a program in place that includes everything from their meals and rest time to outdoor play. This not only keeps your child interested throughout the day but helps them use up their energy, so they get a good night's sleep.

However, you should remember that parents are also encouraged to give their input. If you have a routine that you follow at home, most places are understanding and will try their best to stick to it (provided it doesn't disrupt anyone else). 

Self-Help Skills

Finally, the last way your child can benefit from attending a childcare is that they will learn self-help skills. From making their bed to washing their hands and putting on sunscreen. They'll become more independent and confident within themselves. Staff are also nearby to help assist with toilet training and any other requirements. 

And that's it! By reading through the above, you can surely see the advantages that childcare has. For more information, visit your local centers and tour the facilities. From here, you will be able to determine if it's right for you.

Ways To Get Your Child Interested in Reading

When you were a kid, if you loved reading you probably don't remember how you discovered it. All you knew is you lost yourself in books for hours at a time. Now that you're a parent, you'd like your kids to develop good reading habits, too. Here are four different ways you can pique their interest starting now.

Read With Them

If you're not spending time actually reading with your child, they might not pick it up on their own. Set up a time each day for reading a good book together. Storytime is usually before bed, so make it a nightly routine. Your child will be excited about continuing the tale or starting a new one. Kids love to use their imagination when it comes to stories, so ask them plenty of questions.

Get Them a Personalized Book

One way to really get your little one's attention for reading is by giving them their very own adventure such as a personalized birthday book for child reading levels. In this story, they star as the main character and family members have roles, too. Not only is their very own storybook fun to receive, they'll ask to read it over and over. Remember to let a child read aloud as they're learning. It can help them to expand their vocabulary quickly.

Use Reading As a Reward

Reading is one activity that you can safely use as a reward for a job well done. Remember, reading is knowledge so more storytime is never a bad thing. If your child sees reading as a reward, the more they'll look forward to it. Reading in exchange for good behavior, or doing a chore, is much more beneficial than buying them another toy or handing out a sugary treat.

Set an Example

If you want your kids to be truly interested in the world of books, make sure you set a good example. Kids follow their parent's leads and by reading yourself, you'll demonstrate that reading is a lifelong love. Visit book stores often and keep plenty of books at home with your favorite ones in an important place where they can be treasured and admired.

Start Them Early

Reading can benefit your child in many ways, including expanding their vocabulary and letting them use their imagination. By starting as early as possible, you'll be setting them up for an activity they'll enjoy for the rest of their lives.

5 Tips For Instilling the Love for Learning Early On

We as parents have an all-encompassing role in instilling the love for learning early for our children. From getting them motivated in finishing their homework, participate better at school to learning to love any form of study, it’s all about proper conditioning and the right balance of encouragement and rewards.

Life requires us to learn new skills and gain knowledge, and it’s up to us to raise children that are ready for this challenge. Because learning starts when we’re children, it’s also the best time to foster a love of learning. Here are a couple of ways to help our kids love learning.

image credit

Identify any learning barrier and plan ways to overcome them. It’s hard to love something when you struggle with it. Be vigilant about signs of issues that could impact your child’s ability to learn at school and taint their enjoyment of learning.

Issues could be social, emotional, or potential learning disorders. While teachers are on the lookout for these, kids sometimes hide it by overcompensating.

If you believe there’s a problem, talk to your child in a comfortable, safe environment. See if you can find any suggestions for stress or avoidance about a particular subject or activity. Questions to ask include asking what their favorite and least favorite part of the school is and why/why not, what are the hardest things they did and why.

Help them engage. Education experts believe that under-performance in school can be caused by a lack of engagement. There’s a plethora of strategies and reforms in place to improve classroom engagement, but parents have the starting reins to work on this lack of engagement at home.

Start by regularly asking your kids what they learned at school. This will help them be proud of their newfound knowledge. Many kids also relish the opportunity to teach something to their parents. This will also encourage them to think more critically about their learning in school, and to learn better. Your questions will need to be age-appropriate.

Make learning enjoyable. Check out your child’s curriculum, textbooks, and homework. There are many examples, but you should be able to find examples to use for activities. If you’re reading this during the current COVID-19 pandemic, then you’ll have plenty of time to revisit and try out more activities.

Assess your child’s curriculum, textbooks, or homework. It can be as simple as counting games, getting them to spell words from their favorite books. For older kids, assist them to discover their passions and interests.

Remove the pressure. We’ve all been there. Academics do put pressure on kids. This includes grades, peers, and parent approval. Giving them a hard time or punishing them for poor results can backfire and make them dread the learning process.

So instead of punishing poor performance, offer support both emotionally and academically. Allow them to be free to express their disappointments without fear of your judgment.  Speak with them, listen well, and collaborate to find ways to help them improve and enjoy school.

Choose the right learning institute. The kind of school where you enroll your child will serve as a beacon in developing many aspects of his or her character, which is why choosing an appropriate one is of paramount importance.

Some curriculum is better than others when it comes to the learner. For instance, expat children and those with international connections should prefer international schools. Consider schools that offer inquiry-based programs like GMP Montessori which not only fosters the development of cognitive, expressive and motor skills but also induces a sense of social responsibility, cultural awareness and environmental consciousness - all key components of GIIS's holistic pedagogy.

Encouragement during this stage must come from you. You need to walk the talk. The values you teach should also be present in you because your kids innately look to you not just for support, but for inspiration as well.

These tips can help to make the school what it needs to be for children — a fun, secure location, where they can learn about the world, themselves, and find out who and what they want to be.

Best Summer Activities For Kid's Growth & Development

Summer is known as that lazy, relaxing time of year. While all kids deserve a break, they still need structure and stimulating activities that nurture their growth and development. Do you need some tips to keep in mind when it comes to your kids this summer?

Vinay Saranga M.D. is a child psychiatrist and founder of Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry (www.srangapsychiatrycom) and offers this advice:

Create A Summer Schedule: You don’t have to schedule something for every second of the day. The idea is to develop a predictable but flexible daily schedule that can help children thrive. Remember, sometimes boredom can be a trigger for bad behavior. The idea is to still have a routine and agenda, but know that it’s okay to be a little laid back when it comes to sticking to it.

Create A Calendar: Make it visible to your entire family. Write down daily activities and include a chore/activity chart. This helps children understand what’s expected of them. It also helps enrich their sense of responsibility and integrity all while building their confidence.

image credit

Don’t Skip Reading: Reading should be part of their everyday routine this summer. Whether in the morning or before bed (or both), make it a priority to read with your kids. Of course, the goal of reading is to make it enjoyed. Get your child involved by going to a local library and scouting out the latest book by their favorite author.

Sleep Is Still Essential: Sleep, especially at a young age, is essential for healthy growth and brain development. We all benefit from a good night’s rest! Even if you extend bedtime during the summer, make sure your child is getting the recommended amount of sleep each night. Try not to get too far off of their school routine because it will be back in session before you know it!

Cut Back On Screen Time: Sometimes it’s too easy just to turn on the TV. When they’re not swimming or riding bikes, find something productive for them to do. Stock up on fun and educational activities that will help your kids continue to grow and learn over the summer break. Coloring books, crosswords, puzzles, and board games are all great ideas.

Some Downtime Is Good: Remember that long days at the pool/beach can cause exhaustion which leads to frustration and overwhelm. Figure out what the right amount of activity is to stimulate your child and incorporate enjoyable activities into their summer routine.

image credit

Keep them social: Summer camps, group play and trips to the local playground are all ways to entertain children without screen time. Social settings often encourage imaginary play and creativity all while developing social skills that are essential for a child’s development.

Incorporate nature: Let nature be your inspiration this summer! Get your children outdoors for some fresh air. Plan a game of hide-and-seek or set up a nature scavenger hunt that will keep them entertained in a healthy way.

Make time for family: Our kids grow up so quickly, so make time to enjoy the summer as a family no matter how old your kids are. Whether planning a vacation out of state or simply a day trip to the beach, the best activities are enjoyed together.

44 Overused Words & Phrases To Be Aware Of

I'm sharing this one, because I feel like most of us are guilty of some (maybe many) of overusing certain words or phrases. I do agree with many of these, especially 1, 3, 16, 21, 24, and a few others. How about you? Which ones stick out the most to you?

Source: www.grammarcheck.net

Why Your Child Will Love Magic Sketch!

There's no denying that we live in the digital era. Everything from ordering our groceries, asking Siri or Alexa questions for help, and scheduling our doctors appointments can be done instantly from our digital devices. There are some things that can not be replaced by technology and that is good old-fashioned play time. Kids really need to be engaged in hands-on activities that encourage using their imagination to really learn and grow. 

We recently received the Magic Sketch for review, and my son was thrilled when we opened the box. Magic Sketch is a very simply yet super cool art tablet. There is no real assembly involved, so your child can start using it right away. Magic Sketch comes with a battery already installed, and lasts for years. This means your child can doodle and erase as much as they want! 

How does Magic Sketch work?

You simply use any of the included writing instruments or art tools to write or doodle on the the liquid crystal screen. There are templates included that offer a variety of games, drawing stencils, and learning stencils to practice handwriting, math skills, and more. The stamps and roller are very fun for learning patterns and repetition for younger kids. 

When your child is done drawing or writing, they simply push the button on the top and everything is magically erased!  

My son loves Magic Sketch as a tool to use for practicing or working out math problems. It is super convenient to use during his homeschool lessons. He is not big on art, so he enjoys using the drawing templates to trace pictures and shapes as well as creating his own works of art. Magic Sketch is very helpful to encourage fine motor and writing skills in younger children. The templates are easy to take out and replace, so kids can use it independently depending on their age. Another great thing is that you can make your own stencils according to what your child is interested in or learning at the time. 

Perks of the Magic Sketch

• No messy markers or crayons involved
• Perfect as a practice tablet for homeschoolers
• Great for travel and long road trips
• Kids can entertain themselves and parents don't have to supervise
• It's waterproof, unlike traditional tablets
• No recharging ever, and long battery life (7 years!)
• Makes a great gift for birthdays or holidays 

Where can you get Magic Sketch and what do you get? 

Each Magic Sketch retails for $29.95 and includes:

• Magic Sketch
• Protector Guard
• 1 Roller
• 3 Stamps
• 20 Learning Stencils
• 20 Games Stencils
• 20 Art Stencils

You can purchase it here and this is expected to be a HOT item for the 2017 holiday gifting season. My child loves his Magic Sketch and I think yours will, too. Any child would love to find this under the tree! Just be warned: Adults LOVE Magic Sketch, too! 

10 Common Phrases & What You Can Use Instead

I thought I'd share this because I found it interesting. Enjoy!
 
Source: www.grammarcheck.net

Homeschool Updates Spring 2017

We are headed into our final two months of third grade with William and thankfully next week is Spring Break. We both desperately need the break. I now understand why school teachers used to act like they were about to blow their top at this time of year. I admit, I am burned out. Some days wear me out to the point of aggravation. I am SO ready to get our last day out of the way so that we can relax for a week. I make sure that I take a power nap in the afternoon if I start getting too crazy. It has come to a point to where William recognizes that I need a little breather.

Don't get me wrong, William is a great student when he's not being lazy or getting distracted. He is doing so well and is currently making all A's with a 96% overall average. Let me tell you though, those good grades don't come easy! We both work hard to make it happen. I am so thankful that I can pinpoint what he struggles with so that we can review for as long as it takes until he gets it. I am grateful I have the gift of patience, because some days are trying.

Some days are hard, but every day is worth it 📓📚📝 . . . . #homeschool #unschooling #life #workhardplayhard #school #learn #believe #family #stem #mathalete

A post shared by Shelly 🇬🇾👑 (@momfiles) on Mar 28, 2017 at 9:45am PDT

William has really been enjoying learning about different cultures in his current unit in Language Arts and seems to really love math. He sometimes stumbles while learning new skills, but once he understands it, he aces through the work. One of the things I love is when he learns something that his dad recently taught him, which is usually about money, spending, or making smart choices. He geeks out and tells me he can't wait to tell his dad what he learned in school that day.

He is enjoying his life as a homeschooler and never complains about being bored or lonely. That was one of my biggest fears, but thankfully he is like an old man who enjoys the most simple things. We break up the day with outdoor play or having lunch on the back patio. I think we are both going to enjoy Spring Break and hope to be back refreshed and ready to tackle the end of year testing and final assignments. I have noticed that my friends with kids in public school have been going nuts with all of the spring festivities and craziness that comes at this time of year. I can definitely say that I do not miss any of that!

Anyway, I wanted to share the latest regarding William's school progress. Have your kids had their Spring Break yet?

#TBT The Early Years Of Learning

I stumbled across a video this morning that warmed my heart and brought me to tears at the same time. I used to teach William some reading and math basics at home before he was kindergarten age. Who knew he would end up being home schooled. He is in his second semester of third grade, and it looks like he will make high honors again like in the first semester. It's hard to believe that this little munchkin boy will be turning 9 this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by 💖

18 Common Words & What You Can Use Instead

Source: www.grammarcheck.net

School Trips Becoming Too Expensive for Parents

School trips are part and parcel of school life. We all remember going on residential visits with school. I know I do. When I was 11, my entire Year 6 class flew to Switzerland for a week and we had a fabulous time learning about glaciers and listening to the cow bells jingle in the early mornings. I am sure my parents probably had to scrimp and scrape to be able to afford the trip, but they managed and I was lucky enough to go.

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

That was an exceptional trip, a once in a lifetime experience, and something I still remember many years later. Back then, trips like this were a rarity and were often subsidised by the school. These days it is becoming increasingly common for schools to organise prohibitively expensive field trips for students. Parents often have to borrow the money to pay for the trip (for more information about the latest loan rates, click the link), but a survey carried out two years ago has found that many parents are saying they cannot afford the cost of school trips.

Examination Course Field Trips

The older your child is, the more likely they are to be asked to go on field trips as part of their examination course. Some subjects, for example geography, expect students to conduct research out in the field. This type of educational trip is a valuable part of the course, but the problem is that many parents cannot afford to pay and are discouraging their child to take the subject, even if they are interested in doing so.

Schools are even asking parents to fund other, non-essential field trips to museums, art galleries and the theatre. Music lessons also fall into this category. To study music, students usually have to play an instrument, which means parents have to pay for lessons, instrument hire, and examinations. The cost of this can be exorbitant.

Expensive Foreign Trips

The cost of educational trips to foreign countries is also on the rise. It is not uncommon for parents to be asked to find £1,000 or more to pay for a trip abroad. For many families, this represents their budget for a family holiday, so if the child is allowed to go, nobody else gets a holiday that year.

For kids with two parents who both earn a good living, paying for school trips and educational extras is not a problem, but if a child comes from a single parent family subsisting on benefits or a low income, the cost is prohibitive. Consequently, it is not surprising that many parents say they can’t afford it and refuse to let their child participate. Expensive field trips are simply not accessible for many parents.

There is very little parents can do if the school asks them to fund an expensive field trip for their child, other than say no. Some schools have a hardship fund, which is designed to subsidise children from poorer families, but if you both work, you probably won’t qualify for assistance.

16 Boring Words & What to Use Instead

I just had to share this because I think it's great! Enjoy :)

Source: www.grammarcheck.net

Homeschool Pluses for Families

Online education is becoming very popular, with an increase in growth every year. Children receiving homeschooling do exceptionally well on standardized tests. Colleges and universities welcome homeschoolers, and are known to be self-directed learners and employees which are reliable, as adults. There are numerous pluses for families who decide to have their child participate in an online education.

Closer Family Relationships

Families that have a child participating in eLearning have each stressed how much closer their family relationships have become since beginning these courses. Due to more time being available than with attending a physical schoolroom, parents are able to have more quality time with their children. Siblings tend to have better relationships, spending time together during their online education classes help bring them together in a positive light.

Families with Emotional Freedom

When children are bothered by competition, peer pressure, bullies, and boredom – which are a normal part of the traditional school day – they can bring these stressors home. These stressors tend to lower a child’s self-esteem, mostly in middle-school girls. Studies have shown, online homeschool girls do not have these issues. Their self-esteem stays intact and they continue to thrive throughout their teenage years. When a child experiences these stressors, entire families tend to feel it. With eLearning, there is no stressors to put onto these families.

Remaining Stable During Difficulty

There are some times that families may seem as challenging, and difficult. Possibly an illness, a new baby, or family death, and homeschooling is a way that has helped families cope through these challenging times. Online homeschool is a stabilizing factor in a family’s life where so much more is mixed-up for the time being. During the time they are eLearning, everything is settled and normal.

FutureSchool.com brings many pluses to families with their online education of math and English courses. Families become closer together, making the most of eLearning.

VTech Learning Cartridges Review for InnoTab Tablets #spon

Disclosure: The VTech product, gift card and information have been provided by VTech.

We recently got the opportunity to review the InnoTab MAX from VTech and it has been a great learning tool for my son. He has been enjoying the many apps the tablet offers. We were super lucky to receive two learning cartridges from VTech that work with the InnoTab tablets including the new InnoTab MAX.

We received Pixar Play and I Spy learning cartridges and my little guy could not wait to check them out.

InnoTab Pixar Play Learning Cartridge
(Ages 4-7 years; MSRP: $24.99)

·  The Pixar Store is open, and it’s time to play! In Pixar Play for VTech's InnoTab Learning Tablets, explore fun games and activities featuring your favorite characters from Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters University and The Incredibles!
·  This InnoTab Learning Cartridge includes a variety of features such as five learning games that introduce spelling, letters, vocabulary, reading, phonics and creativity, an e-Book that retells the story of the movie "The Incredibles," and allows you to take photos with your favorite Pixar characters.

Our thoughts on the InnoTab Pixar Play learning cartridge: 

• They featured many of his favorite characters that are very age-appropriate. 
• You can choose your level; easy or difficult.
• The instructions are very easy to follow. 
• It is a great way to encourage spelling, phonics and vocabulary. 
• Your child will feel like they are playing a fun game without realizing they are LEARNING!
• This is an excellent aid for early readers. 

InnoTab I Spy Adventure Learning Cartridge 
(Ages 4-7 years; MSRP: $24.99)

·  I spy a fun-filled problem-solving adventure in this title for VTech's InnoTab Learning Tablets!
·  Kids can practice early reading skills as they read and solve I SPY riddles and play games to unlock 50 levels of play – each more challenging than the next.
·  Find, match and sore a variety of photo-realistic objects across four action-packed thinking games that build logic, vocabulary and visual discrimination skills.

Our thoughts on the InnoTab I Spy Adventure Learning Cartridge

• It's very simple to understand.
• Kids have the option of receiving a hint if they get stumped. This helps reduce frustration when they are trying hard to make a match. 
• My child feels accomplished when he sees how many levels he has moved up in. 
• We don't have traditional video games in our home (by choice) so this is a great alternative. 

Both learning cartridges are easy to load on the InnoTab and provide hours of wholesome fun. We are comfortable and know our child is playing something safe that he does not require any monitoring with. Be sure to check out VTech on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates. 

VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch Review & Giveaway

**CLOSED** Winner is The Attic Girl- Congratulations! 

The VTech product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech. All opinions are my own as always. 

I am continually amazed at how far technology has come and continues to go. Kids in this day and age have so many advantages with this technology. I received the brand new VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch for my son to test out. The Kidizoom Smartwatch offers so many amazing features all available on your child's wrist.

William was thrilled to play around with his new watch. The first thing that stood out to me is how flexible and comfortable the watch band felt. It was easy to get on and just as easy to take off. William didn't complain about it hurting his wrist or pinching it like he has with other watches he has tried. He wore it to registration night at his school and all of his friends quickly surrounded him to check out his super cool watch. All you could hear was, "Oooh and ahhh".

Kidizoom Smartwatch (Ages 4 years and up; MSRP: $59.99) features include:

·         1.4 inch color touch screen
·         Camera for taking photos and recording videos
·         Voice recorder with 5 voice changing effects
·         Special effects including customized photo frames, color filters and distortion effects; fun video frames
·         4 fun games, included
·         Kid-durable design to withstand drops and bumps
·         Splash proof and sweat proof
·         Alarm clock with fun tones and animation
·         Timer and stopwatch in kid-friendly themes
·         50+ digital and traditional analog displays
·         Rechargeable battery
·         4 vibrant colors: blue, pink, white and green
·         Micro USB cable for data transfer and battery recharging
·         Access to Learning Lodge app store to download more games and watch displays

What we liked about the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch:

• Makes your kid feel like they have a grown-up watch.
• A great way to spark imagination.
• The 3-minute stopwatch is great for timing chores or teeth brushing. 
• My son enjoys making videos and listening to himself over and over. 
• A great tool for parents to record reminders for kids. 
• Very comfortable to wear and excellent to take on the go. 
• Fairly long battery-life and we LOVE that it is rechargeable. 

Overall, this watch is really neat and my son loves it. He wants to take it to school for show and tell. I am sure his friends will all want one! Be sure to check out the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch on the Vtechkids.com and stay connected on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates. 

Giveaway: How would you like to win one for your child? Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway  

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on September 3, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday

Kindergarten class photo and updates

It has been a while since I have posted about my family. I have been utilizing my time wisely. It has been amazing having a good portion of the day to myself and I make every minute count. A lot of people assume I have all of this "extra time" with everyone at school and work. The truth is, I have been working harder and time seems to slip away each day. By the time I think I am making a dent in my to-do list, school pick-up time creeps up and my day goes into the next phase of busyness. I always wish I could have about 2 more hours each afternoon. 

William has been loving school. He leaps out of bed each morning without me having to wake him up and he is always very enthusiastic about it being a school day. It has gotten to a point that he arrives to the car in the afternoon in tears. He cries because he is not ready for the school day to end. Here I was thinking that it would be a long and hectic day for him. I was so wrong! 

They took school pictures a few weeks ago and although I am not a fan of them, his came out so cute! I can't believe he smiled nicely. I have the hardest time these days getting him to cooperate for photos. I volunteered on picture day and it was fun getting back into the swing of being involved in elementary school. William's class is the absolute sweetest. The class consists of 6 boys and 14 girls. It is so cute seeing William with his friends and it was a long time coming. His teacher says that he has a lot of friends and everyone enjoys being around him. We are so glad that he has no issues adjusting socially. He loves being around the other kids and has really gotten into the whole school routine. Around school he is known as having the best smile. It's wonderful having such a happy and content kid. His sisters were the same way.

I am thrilled that I am the classroom mom. I love helping out with anything I can. I really look forward to all of the fun activities, field trips and connecting with other parents this school year. It feels like the time is already going by so quickly.

How is the school year going so far for your children?

Kindergarten update: William loves school!

We are into our second week of the school year and so far, so good! William walked into the school last week with the biggest smile on his face and was full of excitement to be in big boy's school. We were lucky to have met his teacher and teaching assistant a couple weeks before school at kindergarten camp. I really think the camp was a great benefit to help break him into being in school. He goes to bed without argument and wakes up on his own. It's nice to have a 5 year old boy wake up each morning fully rested and excited to start his day. We have a very simple routine in the morning and he has already gotten into the groove of things. We walk him into school each morning and let him lead us to his classroom. He knows how to get there but being a curious little boy, he gets a little sidetracked sometimes. Daddy insists that he needs to prove he can get to his class on his own before he is allowed to go into the school by himself. I don't have a problem with that. It's nice walking into the school each morning and seeing all of the warm smiles and welcoming good morning greetings from the staff and other parents.

I have gotten positive feedback from his teacher and look forward to keeping close communication throughout the school year. We are so lucky to have such wonderful educators. Of course I have signed up to volunteer to help out with pretty much everything! I did so much when the girls were in elementary school and got to see what an asset parental participation is to not only the student, but also to the teacher and other students. My first volunteer job will be picture day next week and I am really looking forward to it! It's a good way for me to get to know some of William's classmates.

When I pick William up each afternoon, I ask him what the best part of his day was. He always starts off with, "We went to the playground two times!". He hasn't learned all of his classmates' names quite yet, but knows his main teachers and some of the related arts teacher's names. He just loves P.E.. His coach is the same one that his sisters had throughout the elementary years. It has been wonderful seeing a lot of familiar faces at the same school I spent countless hours in. We feel like William is going to thrive in kindergarten and the rest of his elementary school career. Oh, by the way, I did NOT cry on the first day of school! I didn't even have any anxiety or fear. I guess I feel like he is right where he belongs. I look forward to sharing more about his kindergarten adventures. Thanks for reading!