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How to Make Sure Your Child Needs Therapy
I absolutely had to write this. I saw this product and simply wanted to throw up. I'm pretty open minded, but some things just need to be reigned in. This preschool educational product takes pretend play a bit too far. It's just wrong. How do we teach our children to have appropriate boundaries when young girls are running around with plastic pasties and a halter top?!
This preschool pretend play object (and I shudder as I write that) comes with a baby doll that cries until it is allowed to suckle at the plastic pasties aka nipples on the child. Are you serious? Here's an idea. Let's just cut to the chase and make Barbie and Ken anatomically correct?! Let's include instructions too! Hey why not? I mean little girls are wearing plastic pasties so anything is possible. I guess in a society where Bratz dolls that come with lingerie are given to little girls as Christmas presents and children are breastfeeding anything is possible.
Don't get me wrong. Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful thing...that has no place in a toy box!
Ok..seriously here's my review...
The Good
Nothing that I can think of except maybe for any families that are eager to deal with teenage pregnancy! That's not really fair is it. The price? Excellent compared to what the therapy and medication is going to cost for the poor girl.
The Bad
Don't gert me started. Shall we next sell miniature condoms for pretend play? Oh wait..we don't need those..we're planning a teenage pregnancy. Train em while they're young?
The Skinny
I give this toy a thumbs up for anyone who can't find a better babysitter than the mental ward their child is going to end up on. Hope they sell great insurance plans with this one!
 This is a spelling program designed to allow students to use the computer to do spelling tests.Since school is about to start and as parents and teachers we are always trying to find ways to help our children meet their educational goals, I thought it would be a good time to give this spelling software a review.
The Good
Personally, my son hates to sit down and write, but he loves playing on the computer. This spelling software is the perfect program for him and kids like him. What I really liked about it is that there are available lists, but the parent can also create their own. Not only that, but this spelling software is so easy to use that my son needed no instruction once he sat down with it. He's like any other child and doesn't care to do homework, but he enjoyed using this program so much that he did every sample list that was available in one sitting! As a parent, I have to say that this spelling program was extremely easy to download and prepare for my child to use. It doesn't slow my computer down like some other educational software that we've tried. Not only that, but the spelling program checks my spelling as I create the list!
The Bad
For me, the program really didn't have any bad points. If it were a spelling program that could be used only for one grade level, then I would think the price was too high. But, this program can start at preschool and follow students through college if need be! Honestly, you will probably pay more for one years worth of one school book rental than you will for this program and to me that makes it more than worth it. The Skinny
This spelling program gets a thumbs up all the way around. It was as easy for my son to use as it was for me to install and use. The price is incredible for a spelling product that is so easily modified to fit the child. I also like the fact that they have specific holiday spelling lists to choose from. Also, since I like to review preschool products, I was impressed by the fact that they even have a preschool spelling list(letter recognition). I'm quite sure that this is the only spelling software we will use.  The VTech Preschool Learning Tote 'n Go is marketed as a laptop fro preschoolers that not only educates the preschooler, but also helps them to learn the basic functions of the mouse and computer in general. I couldn't help giving this one a review since I pretty much live on my laptop and know how important modeling is to small children. So, here we go.
The Good
The good thing about this preschool laptop is that is does what it says it does and is conveniently portable. Children can easily learn their alphabet and numbers while their small hands learn to manipulate a working mouse. Of course we all know this may be a moot point soon since technology will sooner or later be totally hands free, but for now this is a good skill for them to master. The games on this laptop of progressive, meaning that the child will fin dit usefu for more than just one session. When the have one game mastered, they can simply move on to the harder version of that game. The price isn't bad either..if only I could get my own laptop that cheap!
The Bad
The only thing I don't like about this preschool laptop is that the screen is so small. It is clearly seen, but to me it could be bigger. However, this could just be my own personal pet pieve as I have yet to see a preschool laptop with a larger screen than this.
The Skinny
Overal I have to give this laptop for preschoolers a thumbs up. It seems to be pretty sturdy and offers a variety of educational games. I'm a big fan of students having fun as they learn, so this concept suits me just fine. My issue with the screen is ..well it's my issue, not the child's. In fact, I have yet to hear a child complain about it.
 The Your Baby Can Read system has been heavily promoted as the program that can teach even infants to read. Of course, this sounds awesome. I mean, what parent doesn't want to brag that their child is reading a book at 2 years old? We have our opinion here and as products we review go, we'll give you the bad and the good as well as some brief details about what the product really means to you and your child.
The Good
This system is based on visual recognition and pronunciation, which are basic components of reading. Children learn to equate certain gathered symbols (words) with certain images. For instance, on the video there will be a picture of a cat and the word "cat". The flash cards use a similar technique. Eventually, when enough words and images are associated with each other the child will learn to read sentences and so on.
The Bad
Since children are taught words associated with images, they aren't actually learning to use their letters. When it's time for the child to learn their letters, they may be confused and will actually be set back a bit. Consider this. They will in effect have to learn the concept of spelling, sounding out and individual letters.
The Your Baby Can Read program also requires quite a bit of time. The child is supposed to watch the video 2-3 times a day, then do the flash cards as well. In other words, it takes an extensive effort and may be more time consuming than you planned.
The Skinny
If you have that much time to invest in teaching an infant to read in between feeding them, cleaning up after them, changing their diapers, getting your daily chores done, giving them play time and teaching them things that involve large motor skills and fine motor skills, then kudos to you! In all reality the suggested methods may not be the best ones. Using this program as suggested may lend stress that you aren't ready for. I suggest you modify it to fit your needs.
Yes, your child may learn to read, but will they be able to comprehend? Consider this. Many children repeat words as they are learning to talk. Just because they pronounce them doesn't mean they comprehend them (thank God!). In the same manner, your child may be able to read words off a page, but will probably have no idea what they mean. Other than seeing your joy at their accomplishment they aren't benefiting from reading the way they will when they can comprehend it. That's it..that's my opinion. I give the program a thumbs up for the concept and the quality of the product.
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 This WaterWheel Play Table, made by Step 2 made our review list because it was on the best seller's list. We decided to check into it and see if the item was just another trend or if it was something that could be useful over time. After all, everyone is working on a tight budget these days and we wanted to know if it was worth a $30 price tag.
The Good
This WaterWheel Play Table promotes fine motor skills as well as large motor skills in toddlers as well as young preteens. The table was actually made for toddlers, but young preteens can't seem to resist playing with it either! Children get to manipulate toys as they learn the concept of floating and the movement of water. The drain plugs ensure that small children can't empty it and those of us who deal with small children are always grateful for anything that can minimize a mess!
One of our favorite things about this product is the fact that it can actually be used as a sand table as well! Great for small groups of children to play with together.
The Bad
Really, the only thing we didn't like about the table is the fact that the plastic is a little thinner than we are used to seeing from Step 2 products. This isn't a big deal unless a few large children try to lean on it. Then there could be some problems.
The Skinny
The WaterWheel Play Table is a must have for a home with a toddler or a small daycare. The lighter plastic is understandable as even toy manufacturers feel the economic crunch and try to reduce costs. It's still a great concept and the price is more than fair for the use this product will get. I give this product a thumbs up for educational activities and cost.
 The SET Game got a review just so I had an excuse to check the game out. It looked kind of fun. Not only that, but hey I like to play games too and this looked like something that could be enjoyed by everyone. Who say the kids are the only ones that get to have any fun? Not in my world!
The Good
The game is as well made as any card game. The cost is just under $15 and you gotta love that! The great thing is that literally every age group will be challenged by this game. It doesn't matter if you're a toddler or an adult. How many games can you find like that?
The Bad
The only thing that we found to be "bad" about this game was that it's an "every man for himself" kind of game. Players don't take turns.Everyone is playing at once. To combat this issue, we encourage parents and educators to lend positive reinforcement to players that play "nice" and don't get overly aggressive about the game.
The Skinny
This game is a must have for any household. It doesn't even matter if you have children or not, although it's also perfect for preschools and daycares. Basically the game centers around making matches in groups of threes. The SET Game provides young learners with an opportunity to develop their visual recognition and grouping skills. Children also get to develop fine motor skills and quick response skills as they try to make "sets" faster than you! We give this one a huge thumbs up!
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