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IBW Books have generously donated one of the prizes to the Art Contest and Giveaway as well as giving me a few samples to look over and review. The books offered by IBW are not your typical books. They are called Interactive Book-Webscenes. It is a combination of books and webscenes you look up on the computer while reading the books. The webscenes are very detailed and have movement with bright pictures. They also include certain words from the stories. The books themselves are small, simple books with no pictures. They have a nice explanation at the beginning of the book about how to utilize it with their webscenes. They have a Beginning reader series called KA Reader and a preschool curriculum called “The Busy Preschoolers Guide to Learning”.
I read “Where Can Lost Bee Be?” which is part of the KA Reader series . In each book they have an English and Spanish version of the story. I folded over the spanish portion (since I was reading the English) so I wouldn’t find it distracting. It’s nice that they do have Spanish text as well for students who might have english as their second language. There are a lot of Rhyming words which is great for beginner readers. For my son I put up the webscene first (although they recommend putting it up after reading each section) to help with clues for reading the story. He uses the visual cues while reading still and it is difficult for him to do it without any visual. If I were just reading it to him, showing it after would have been fine. The reason they suggest doing it after the reading of each section is that you can then ask your child about what you read and what they think it might look like. It can stimulate them to use their imagination. The story of “Where Can Lost Bee Be” was a cute and simple story. Perfect for an early reader. It tells the tale of a little bee on a search for a perfect flower. He get’s lost on his journey and the story follows his adventure.
There are some nice activities on the website that you are directed to in the book. They relate to the story you read. I especially liked the activity which was called “You tell a Story” where the child picks the correct words with in the sentence. Some of the activities seemed to be geared more towards a child of around age 7. So younger children would need more assistance with the activities.
The Busy PreSchoolers Guide to Learning is a preschool curriculum that is built around the letters of the alphabet. I received two books to review: “Celebration of Letters A and B” and “Celebration of Letters G and H” that each contain two of the letter activities from the complete Busy Preschoolers book. At the beginning of each book it explains how to utilize the books and gives a link to go to on the internet that goes with the activities. For each letter there was a poem and an activity to create related to the poem. After completing the activity you go to the website where there is a tracing activity for the letter you are working on. It’s pretty neat since your child would trace the letter on the computer using the mouse. They do need to be fairly confident with the mouse to be able to complete the task.
For readers who want to share IBW books with others and make some extra money in the process, www.IBW-Booksellers.com has all the details on becoming an IBW Bookseller. You’ll not only represent a product with NO COMPETITION… and but also receive an IMMEDIATE 20% commission on all sales at the close of each hosted event!
I had never before heard of an Interactive Book-Webscene and it is a very interesting concept. One that utilizes children’s natural love of technology, while encouraging them to learn.
The winner of the prize will get to choose between “The Busy Pre Schoolers Guide to Learning” and 3 books from the KA Reader Series. Thank you to Ghost Hunter Productions and Interactive Book-Webscene for the opportunity to learn about this program.
photo credit: Steve & Jemma Copley
It’s raining and you’ve already gone through all of your Baby Einstein videos and are wondering what to do with your little bundle of energy next. Seems here we have had weeks of rain lately! Sometimes we just need some fresh ideas to fuel the creativity for what to do with our toddlers to avoid chaos in the house on a rainy day. You want something that isn’t too messy – but fun, right?
How about pulling out a small tub and fill it partway with a bag or two of beans or macaroni? Then furnish your toddler with cups, containers, spoons, etc. and let them “make dinner” on the kitchen floor. Kids love the feel and sound of beans or noodles and they love to transfer things from cup to cup. It’s easy to sweep up, too.
Have you ever made peanut butter play dough? Mix together equal parts of peanut butter, dried milk powder and honey. It’s easy and kids can make shapes with it and then you don’t have to worry about whether they eat it or not.
You can also make some HomeMade PlayDough. This is not only fun to play with but, the kids will love creating it!
Why not make a fun snack with veggies and cream cheese? Make carrots into coins, olives into eyes and smiley faces, and raisins for all sorts of things. Use a slice of bread as the background spread with cream cheese. Then let them make designs on the bread. Save it for snack later, if they’ll let you.
A rainy day is a great time to cuddle and read, too – but if your toddler is really full of energy, why not read and act out the story together? By the time you are done, you’ll both be ready for a nap but that’s okay, too!
It’s Click and Comment Monday-but I seem to be still having trouble with the Mr. Linky widget. So instead put your links in the comments and you can link from your blog to the post here.
It’s Click and Comment Monday- Don’t forget to post your story links in Mr. Linky so everyone can check it out!! Leave a Comment Below too !!
10 Fun Activities For Toddlers
- Box in and out game-Get a big card board box, then get some objects, like shape blocks, or wooden blocks, small cups etc. Demonstrate putting them in and out, then let your toddler have fun doing it!
- Ride on Toys-Toddlers LOVE to use Ride on Toys-I always had a couple in the basement and the back yard.
- Finger Painting-They love to get dirty, as you know, so what’s better then getting paint all over your hands, feeling the texture and creating?!
- PlayDough- Make some homemade playdough and then let them loose!! Give them a rolling pin, some playdough toys to stamp with and let them create.
- Table Top Play- I have always found young toddlers around age 1-2 love this. Let them sit in their high chair or booster chair. Give them some various size cups, objects to put them in and some blocks, and watch them play. Through some cheerios on there for eating and discovering how to put them in and out of the cups.
- Large Puzzles, with big pegs. Show them how to put the circle in and out and then let them try. A simple puzzle with maybe three big pieces to put in and out is best.
- Shape Sorters – Name the shapes with your child while you play with it and show them how to put them in. Great way to teach shapes and matching.
- Stacking Buckets - These are great. Kids love building towers with them and then knocking it down. Then try to figure out together how to get the buckets into eachother.
- Stacking Rings – Show your shild how to put on and take off, then let them try. They will love mastering this.
- Side Walk Chalk – Get some big pieces of sidewalk chalk-and let them create!! They can make a track for their cars or a big picture.
What activities do you play with your child? Let us know in the comments below.
Put a link to your story on your blog in the Mr. Linky meme below and leave a link on your blog to Toddler Craft. Then be sure to tell us about your post in the comments below so we can check out your stories!
It’s Click and Comment Monday- Don’t forget to post your story links in Mr. Linky so everyone can check it out!!
This week I am reviewing a great book written by Holly Jahangiri and Illustrated by Jordan M Vinyard. Holly is actually a fellow blogger, who writes for her blog, Do I have to spell it out. I love her writing on her blog, so I was interested to check out her children’s book and I am so glad I did!! It is fabulous! The story is great and captivating and the illustrations are incredible.
I read the story today to my two children (aged 3 and 6) and my neice and nephew (aged 4 and 6). They were all completely captivated and loved it. I believe that says more then anything I can say!
Trockle is the story of a little boy who is afraid there are monsters under his bed. His parents try to tell them there are no monsters, but alas he is not convinced. He tells his parents there is a monster and his name is Trockle. Trockle is a sweet and humorous story about children’s fear’s at bedtime. The illustrations are wonderful and life like. They really bring the story to life. It’s a must read and I highly recomend it!
If you would like to get a copy of Trockle you can get it here.
Don’t forget to get some linky love below! Link to a story you have on your site! Just put the Toddlercraft button or link up and come share your link here in the Mr. Linky! Make sure to post a comment below too!
I might not have Mr. Linky up today-depends on if I can fix an error that keeps coming up! I am waiting on a support ticket from Mr.Linky-if it get’s resolved I’ll have it up-in the meantime -leave your link in the comments. Thanks!
It’s Click and Comment Monday- Don’t forget to post your story links in Mr. Linky so everyone can check it out!!
In Honor of We Heart Art I am posting my children’s art work! Makes sure to hop on over to all the blogs that are part of this great event!! For details check out my post We Heart Art.
Here is some more of my children’s art work!! We have a lot to choose from in our house!!
This was created by my 3 year old daughter. One of our 2 resident artists!! She cut it out and put it on the green paper all on her how!! Wanted to have it framed by the green! She just loves to draw, cut and glue!!
This piece was created by our other artist in the house, my 6 year old son! He has a whole story that goes with it!! It involves sea animals chasing other sea animals. I think there is a volcano somewhere in it too!
Need some inspiration for what to do for We Heart Art this week? Try these ideas…
Share your links to your stories below and leave a comment too!! I hope you had a great Mother’s Day !! Let me know what you did in the comments area!
