As a teacher, I have attended a few workshops on power brain activities for children. With similar activities as S’cool Moves, Power Brain Kids: 12 Easy Lessons to Ignite Your Child’s Potential by Ilchi Lee highlights 12 activities founded in neuroscience that help children learn and focus.

According to author Ilchi Lee, every child possesses a marvelously capable brain. Using its full capacity is simply a matter of accessing and supporting the rich potential that lies beneath the surface. In Power Brain Kids, you will find a child-appropriate and parent-friendly guide to Lee’s world-renowned Brain Education (BE) method. Each lesson focuses on a particular aspect of mental ability, including concentration, creativity, memory, and emotional control. Through the book, straight-A and struggling students alike will be challenged to apply full brain capacity toward the creation of a genuinely happy and successful life. Power Brain Kids features colorful design and full-color photography to help keep your child interested and involved with the lessons. Let our charming group of Power Brain youngsters demonstrate correct posture while your kids build flexibility and strength. In addition, the brain-building exercises and games will provide hours of constructive fun for you and your child. Power Brain Kids is perfect for any teacher or parent of children ages 6-12. In twelve simple lessons, help your child:

• Develop better concentration.
• Improve memory skills.
• Gain tools for emotional self-control.
• Activate creativity and imagination.
• Establish connection between mind and body.
• Cultivate confidence and self-discipline.

The layout of this book is very user-friendly with great photographs and explanations. Many of these moves are reminiscent of yoga, which I think is also important for children to practice. Dance is also an integral part of brain activities with the brain-body connection being fostered through movement. This book also includes meditation, and a super cute “breathing buddy exercise”, where children lie in savasana with a stuffed animal on their abdomens. Breathing gently, they notice their buddy rise and fall with breath.

Would I buy this book? Yes. I think it has great ideas! Unfortunately, the book itself has no eco-friendly properties (recycled paper content, etc.), but the exercises are all natural and can help children avoid medication for attention and sensory issues.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Power Brain Kids: 12 Easy Lessons to Ignite your Child’s Potential is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Cougar Cub Tales: The Sneezy Wheezy Day written and illustrated by Sharon Cramer is the tale of two sibling cougar cubs, one of which catches a cold. They visit various animals in search of cure. Eventually, it is rest and love from the sister cougar that gives the brother relief.

Brother Cougar Cub is ill. With the help of sister, they seek the advice of their well intentioned forest friends. The Grizzly Old Bear tells him, The reason you re warm is you have too much hair. Best if you trim it as short as you dare. But, could it be that SISTER finally discovers the best remedy? The Sneezy Wheezy Day is a wonderful tale that will delight and challenge your child, but it is the paintings that will capture you and your young readers! Make sure to have your child search for the small, hidden creature on each page!

Personally, I dislike the illustrations.  The cougars look nothing like cougars, which really annoys me. The other forest animals are better drawn, but I also fear the message of this book is a bit off.  I don’t know if the text is making fun of home remedies for colds and the flu through the animals silly suggestions or just trying to be entertaining.  Perhaps the silly remedies would get a chuckle from children, but a sentence or two by the sister about how silly each suggestion is might drive the point home a little better.

This may be a good book to read to your child when they are not feeling well, but as you can tell, I am not enamored with it.  Besides, we were sent a copy that had editing marks all over it which was also odd.  It was like getting a book with the teacher’s red marks all over it.  Perhaps that jaded my review

Would I buy this book? No. I don’t like the illustrations. They bothered me so much I think I couldn’t really listen to the story, and there is nothing green about it.  Perhaps if the message would have included some information about hand washing, eating well, resting, herbs, etc. to include natural health, I might have been more inclined to like it.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Children’s Literature: Cougar Cub Tales: The Sneezy Wheezy Day is a post from: Eco Child's Play

In the spirit of My Name is not Isabella,  Jennifer Fosberry has created a version for boys. My Name Is Not Alexander is the story of a little boy that dreams of being amazing men from history. From Jackie Robinson to Chief Joseph, this book not only teaches our children about great men, it includes various cultures and time periods in US history.

Who is your hero?

Alexander takes a rip-roaring historical adventure! Through his imaginative journey, Alexander discovers how great men become heroes: the roughest rider can be surprisingly gentle, a strong leader is also the most peaceful, and sometimes, being brave about what makes you different will not only help you break records, but inspire others.

Join Alexander as he learns how these remarkable men changed the world and encouraged him to find the hero within himself.

The best part is, of course, the ending.  Daddy becomes one of the heroes Alexander pretends to be, and then finally, it is Alexander himself.

“It’s me, Alexander,

the coolest, bravest, smoothest,

proudest, brightest, grandest,

greatest boy that ever was,”

said the little boy as he fell

asleep and dreamed about

who he would be…

…TOMORROW.

Our children need heroes, real heroes.  Not pop musicians like Justin Bieber or athletes like Tim Tebow.  Greatness does come from talent, but that talent needs to be used to improve humanity to be a true hero.

Would I buy this book? Yes. There is nothing green about this book, e.g. recycled paper, soy ink, FSC paper.  I do really like the story.  It is empowering to young boys and very positive.

Disclosure:  The products described above were sent to us as free samples, unless noted differently in the review.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews.  The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Children’s Literature: My Name is not Alexander is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Every parent who has witnessed their child evolve from a newborn to a toddler can confirm their child’s mind is amazing!  Scientists now confirm what good parents have know for a long time:  games, activities, “quality” time with your child nurtures these brains way for than electronic gizmos and edutainment.

The key to social and emotional health is nurturing!

Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child’s Developing Mind with Games, Activities and More by Jan Faull, MEd, answers the question:  ”What can I do to help my child be as happy and smart as possible?”

Drawing on the latest fascinating research in child brain development, noted parenting expert Jan Faull gives parents the essential tools to recognize and encourage their child’s natural development- and have fun with their kids in the process. Simple to use and easy to understand, the techniques in Amazing Minds show parents how to support their children’s capacity for learning. Faull describes chronologically what babies are capable of and the research behind those findings-then provides clear instruction, practical exercises, and fun games to play with babies to enhance their innate learning process. Amazing Minds will change how people view babies-from newborns to toddlers- and foster a new level of nurturing for generations of parents, educators, and caregivers.

The book is broken up into sections on the research, the interpretation, and what parents should do.  I especially like the section on temper tantrums, as this can be a challenge for any parent. Understanding the research and developmental perspective helps parents react with love instead of anger or negative emotions to their children’s tantrums.  Jan writes, “The results of this last study illustrate the sensitivity and adaptability that is called for from parents to help their children learn to deal with life and all its challenges,” and isn’t that really what a temper tantrum is all about?

Would I buy this book?  Probably, considering it is only $6.00 right now!  I love research and child development, and I think that the author gives sound advice all parents could use.  By laying a nurturing foundation at these tender ages, the equally challenging teen years will be a breeze .

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child (and Prevent Temper Tantrums) is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Here’s a scary statistic:

“At some point during childhood, 80 to 90% of all children have a breathing problem.”

There is nothing more frightening than hearing your child gasping for breath during a respiratory illness, let alone suffering from asthma.  My own daughter wheezes at times, which she thinks is just a nervous habit.  I am not convinced, but it does not seem to affect her ability to breath in and breath out.

Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nino Shapiro, MD thoroughly explains breathing from birth to age five.

Take a Deep Breath is a comprehensive, accessible, and indispensible guide for parents, caregivers, teachers, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers on the subject of children s breathing issues. The book provides a thorough review of breathing issues, differentiating the normal and abnormal for all ages, and at all levels of breathing passages. Take a Deep Breath explains all of the puzzling and oftentimes distressing breathing patterns our children have throughout development.

From the uppermost part of the breathing apparatus, the nose, to the lowermost part, the lungs, this book explains which problems are truly worrisome, and which are actually normal stages in a child s growth. Take a Deep Breath will enable the reader to do just that, take a deep breath, and get a better, clearer understanding about what s going on when your children breathe in and out. While pediatricians and other healthcare providers have expertise in all aspects of childhood illness, this book sheds new light on the latest research in pediatric breathing issues, sleep issues, and airway safety. Consisting of age-based sections, with location-based and problem-based chapters for each age group, each chapter also provides a ‘to-do’ list, offering successful preventions and treatments that can easily be done at home.

We all remember suctioning our baby’s nasal passage…a very unpleasant experience for all involved.  Dr. Shapiro’s advice is we may be a little “suction happy”.  Suctioning can put “pressure on delicate nasal tissues, and can actually lead to more swelling and congestion”.  Instead, she recommends more saline.

Would I buy this book? Maybe.  It is a good resource, and Dr. Shapiro does tell you when to worry and when not to worry.  She answers a lot of common questions parents have, yet I think relying on your own pediatrician may be more valuable time and money spent.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Take a Deep Breath: Understanding Children’s Developmental Breathing Patterns is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Children’s literature is a developmentally appropriate and fun way to educate about illness. Whether sharing with classmates and friends or individual children, we were sent two books that can help youngsters understand their potentially life-threatening health conditions.

The Princess and the Peanut by Sue Ganz-Schmitt is a very well done.  This delightful story is loosely based on the Princess and the Pea, only the pea is a peanut. Referring to several other fairy tales, this book not only informs but entertains children.

Every queen knows that in order to find out if a princess is REAL, one must send the “alleged” princess to bed on a magnificent pile of mattresses, slip in a pea, and see how she sleeps. But when the royal kitchen is fresh out peas, the queen tries a peanut instead. The princess turns out to be as real as her food allergies.

This vibrant and humorous tale inspires, and educates children with allergies, as well as those who live in, and around food sensitive kingdoms. Includes a food allergy guide for adults, and kid-friendly allergy definitions.

Even Superheroes Get Diabetes is also by Ganz-Schmitt. It is not as well done as the princess book, but that may just be my preference for fairy tales over comic books. I did learn a lot about diabetes from the book.

Even Superheroes Get Diabetes focuses on the gift within the illness. It is the story of a boy named Kelvin who loves Superheroes. His childhood days are spent in imaginative play–saving the day. One day, his fantasies are marred by the reality of getting diabetes…the incessant finger pricks, shots, and the constant doctor’s appointments. When a mysterious doctor uncovers that Kelvin has superpowers, the story reveals itself as the genesis of a new kind of superhero. Kelvin is monikered ‘Super K’ and uses his superpowers to help other kids with diabetes. The discovery of Super K’s superpowers is akin to the discovery of one’s inner strength in the face of adversity–in the face of illness. The comic book style illustrations by Micah Chambers-Goldberg beautifully connect children and parents to the world of diabetes. The book includes a kid friendly diagram that explains type 1 diabetes, and definitions that discuss both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

I would like to find a similar book for my son’s heart condition.

Would I buy these books?  Yes, if I had a student or child dealing with these medical issues.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Diabetes and Allergies: Using Literacy to Help Children Cope with Medical Issues is a post from: Eco Child's Play

1. Cascades eco-friendly wrapping paper

I don’t like wrapping presents.  Not only can’t I fold perfect corners, but I can’t help but feel it is a waste of paper, especially for a large present.

Sure children delight in tearing it to pieces, and I have tried saving it, but let’s admit it…wrapping paper is a single-use product like a plastic bag.

There are a lot of great alternatives to paper wrapping.  Reusable shopping bags, like ChicoBag , are great, but really, how many shopping bags does one person need. I already have them coming out my ears.  Fabric is also a great alternative, but it is more expensive, and you have to be a quilter to really put those scraps to use.

Cascades has a great, eco-friendly wrapping paper:

Did you know that many types of wrapping paper are not recyclable? The Cascades Boutique team decided to fix this situation by coming out with 100% recycled fibre wrapping paper. It is one of the only industrial packaging papers made in Canada! In addition to being recyclable, the paper comes in various designs and colours.

In order to make this product greener, the paper is rolled without using a cardboard core. Therefore, the roll appears smaller than the standard roll. However, since 10 metres of paper is provided, it means you can wrap many gifts from the same economical format roll.

I really like this paper, and it is way more affordable than other recycled gift paper I have seen.  Four rolls for $12 is a great deal, and the rolls contain a lot of paper. Plus, I love that they are missing those cardboard tubes in the middle. Way to go Cascades!

Would I buy this product?  Yes!

2. Bumblelina

Bumblelina by Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D. and illustrated by Patrick Carlson is a simple story about a little, preschool bee. She is small and can’t fly like her peers, but she doesn’t give up. Eventually a gust of wind helps her out, and she learns to flap her wings.

Her friends celebrate her success.

“My youngest daughter, Anna, once told me she would ‘speak in big words so I would understand,’ which both made me laugh, and really hit home. While I’d like to think I’m pretty good at communicating, I sometimes forget that when I’m not writing textbooks, I don’t need to talk like one!” says Dr. Madia.

So why write a series of books for children?

“My daughters challenged me to write something simple, and Bumblelina became our latest family project,” Madia says. “We carried through the simplicity of the words, designed to engage children in the rhythmic sounds, by keeping the illustrations in simple sketch form with just a hidden spot of color on each page,” she adds…

“This book teaches children the timeless lesson of trying—about the importance of perseverance,” says Madia. “If you work hard at something and don’t give up, you can achieve your goal. In our instant-message society, teaching patience and hard work is more important than ever before,” adds Madia.

I do like the simplicity of the book, as too often children’s books are overdone and odd in both text and illustration as a result. It is a simple sweet story, but I think something may be missing to truly get the message of perseverance across.  A few more trial and errors, perhaps, would make the story stronger.

Would I buy this book? Maybe. There isn’t anything eco-friendly about it, unfortunately.

3. Plan Toys Planactivity Cake Set Play Set

Non-toxic glue, replenshible rubberwood…you can’t go wrong with Plan Toys when seeking out truly eco-friendly play. We have long been a fan of Plan Toys (my son loves the trucks), and yes, sometimes we need to reglue parts, but that’s to be expected with wooden toys.

We were sent the Plan Toys Planactivity Cake Set Play Set:

From the Manufacturer

The set includes a cake with toppings, a cake turntable, a cake server and an icing bag. The cake can also be cut into 6 slices. Great for pretend or imaginative play. Under the Green Concept Design PlanToys selects only materials and manufacturers utilizing a minimal waste concept. PlanToys long-term commitment to social programs promotes healthy child development and environmental protection. All PlanToys are made using chemical free, kiln-dried recycled rubberwood and designed with water based non-toxic colors as accent. A small wooden playthings can produce big change. Through innovation and commitment to design excellence, PlanToys team of child development experts play a critical role in developing their selection of diverse wooden toys.

Product Description

Children can make a pretend cake and decorate for loads of imaginative play. This cake set from Plan Toys includes a cake with toppings, a cake turntable, a cake server and an icing bag. The cake can then be “cut” into 6 pieces for serving to guests. For children 3 years and older. Box measures 7.4 x 2.2 x 7.4 inches.

5 Green Products: Bumblelina, Cascades Recycled Gift Wrap, Plan Toys, Zomsters, Booda is a post from: Eco Child's Play

1. Can We Save the Tiger?

I am in love with Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins. The illustrations by Vicky White are top notch! Amazing compositions and detail, that is what attracts me to this book so much. The text is filled with informative, yet developmentally appropriate information about endangered and extinct species.

Tigers are pretty special — and so are ground iguanas and partula snails and even white-rumped vultures. But these and many other animals are in danger of disappearing altogether, joining the dodo, the marsupial wolf, the great auk, and countless other animals we will never see again. Using the experiences of a few endangered species as examples, Martin Jenkins highlights the ways human behavior can either threaten or conserve the amazing animals that share our planet. Vicky White’s stunning portraits of rare creatures offer a glimpse of nature’s grace and beauty — and give us a powerful reason to preserve it.

I am really enamored with this book!  We get a lot of children’s literature sent to us to review, and most of it is just downright stupid.  Why authors and illustrators don’t honor and respect children’s intelligence is beyond me. Just because you are trying to deliver an environmental message to a young person does not mean you need create silly creatures and story lines that befuddle the message.  Can We Save the Tiger? is a breath of fresh air in this genre!

Would I buy this book?  ABSOLUTELY YES!

2. North Star & More Stories About Following Your Dreams

There are a few things I like about Scholastic Storybook Treasures:

• You can have the text displayed on the screen highlighting each word as it is read
• It reminds me of Reading Rainbow, in that the actual book illustrations are used to create each story
• The choice of stories is usually very good

What I don’t like about these DVDs is I fear that parents may think that they can replace actual reading to their children by playing a DVD.  Nothing can replace shared reading between an adult and a child!  That being said, I did show this DVD recently while substitute teaching to fill in the gaps of time while I cleaned up art projects.

North Star & More Stories About Following Your Dreams features five stories:

1. The North Star
2. That Book Woman
3. Players In Pigtails
4. Yo! Yes?
5. Swamp Angel

My two favorite stories are Players in Pigtails and Swamp Angel.  Players in Pigtails is about women playing baseball and is a great story to inspiring girls.  It’s message is that girls can do anything boys can do just as well and is based on the historical formation of the  All American Girls Professional Baseball League.   Swamp Angel is of the classic American genre of tall tale.  The kids were laughing out loud at this story, and I found it very entertaining.

Would I buy this DVD?  No.  I would rather read children the stories than put on a DVD.  Plus, there is nothing eco-friendly about this product.  It comes in your standard plastic DVD case instead of recycled cardboard.

3. Packin’ SMART Keepaa Multi Use Drink Holder

With my first child, before I knew the dangers of BPA plastic, I always sought out sippy cups with handles.  She seemed to be better able to hold onto them compared to bottles designed to just be gripped.  Innobaby has created a solution to this problem with their product the Packin’ SMART Keepaa Multi Use Drink Holder:

A must have item for Moms On-the-Go!  No more spills in the car, at home, or while traveling.  Innovative drink sleeve prevents little hands from accidental squeeze, expands to hold multiple types of drinks and folds down for compact storage.

Great for giving a little helping hand for toddlers learning how to drink with milk boxes, juice boxes, juice pouches, kids water bottles, and small cups.

Perfectly sized handles make holding easier for the little hands.

Space saving folding design collapses for compact storage.

Unique snug design keeps drinks in place.

“I belong to…” name holder on the back side.

bpa-, phthalates-,  PVC and lead free.

Oh, the accidental squeeze…I forgot about that one!  I used to always take the first sip off a juice box to prevent it.

This product is made in South Korea.

Would I buy this product?  Probably not.  It is not too expensive at about $6, but I don’t really see it as necessary, and it is plastic, which I think best to avoid all together, BPA-free or not.  It is an innovative idea, but part of greening family life is learning to live with less.  Simplifying parenting means less paraphernalia.

4. Rain Tees

One of my favorite t-shirts from past reviews came from Rain Tees.  It is super soft and comfortable, so much so that I love to sleep and backpack in it.  I’m am pleased to report that three years later, Rain Tees is still making fashion “from rainforests to runways”.

Beth Doane created Rain Tees in 2007 when she realized just how toxic the fashion industry can be for the environment. Beth had already developed Rain Tees’ parent company Andira International at age 22, where she focused on launching, importing and distributing exclusive European brands to the United States market.

The word “Andira” describes a tall tree which grows in the Brazilian Amazon and has been used for centuries by indigenous people for its medicinal properties. However, due to logging, oil drilling and agricultural expansion in the Amazon, the species has become nearly extinct.

As a result of this devastation, Beth wanted to launch a line that would educate consumers on critical environmental and social issues, end the negative effects of climate change, and not cause further damage to the earth in the process. When she realized that no such brand existed, she established Rain Tees.

Andira Rain Tee donates art supplies to schools in Central and South America. Children create designs that are chosen for these eco-friendly shirts.  Then, Andira Rain Tees sponsors the children whose design was chosen, as well as use ethical manufacturing practices creating positive jobs in the Amazon region.

We were sent two beautiful Rain Tees:

Rainbow Beak Tee

ILLUSTRATED BY:

Ava

5 Green Gifts: Can We Save the Tiger, Scholastic Storybook Treasures, Innobaby, Rain Tees, & Fair Trade Chocolate is a post from: Eco Child's Play

Bumblelina by Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D. and illustrated by Patrick Carlson is a simple story about a little, preschool bee. She is small and can’t fly like her peers, but she doesn’t give up. Eventually a gust of wind helps her out, and she learns to flap her wings.

Her friends celebrate her success.

“My youngest daughter, Anna, once told me she would ‘speak in big words so I would understand,’ which both made me laugh, and really hit home. While I’d like to think I’m pretty good at communicating, I sometimes forget that when I’m not writing textbooks, I don’t need to talk like one!” says Dr. Madia.

So why write a series of books for children?

“My daughters challenged me to write something simple, and Bumblelina became our latest family project,” Madia says. “We carried through the simplicity of the words, designed to engage children in the rhythmic sounds, by keeping the illustrations in simple sketch form with just a hidden spot of color on each page,” she adds…

“This book teaches children the timeless lesson of trying—about the importance of perseverance,” says Madia. “If you work hard at something and don’t give up, you can achieve your goal. In our instant-message society, teaching patience and hard work is more important than ever before,” adds Madia.

I do like the simplicity of the book, as too often children’s books are overdone and odd in both text and illustration as a result. It is a simple sweet story, but I think something may be missing to truly get the message of perseverance across.  A few more trial and errors, perhaps, would make the story stronger.

Would I buy this book? Maybe. There isn’t anything eco-friendly about it, unfortunately.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Children’s Literature: Bumblelina is a post from: Eco Child's Play

There are a few things I like about Scholastic Storybook Treasures:

• You can have the text displayed on the screen highlighting each word as it is read
• It reminds me of Reading Rainbow, in that the actual book illustrations are used to create each story
• The choice of stories is usually very good

What I don’t like about these DVDs is I fear that parents may think that they can replace actual reading to their children by playing a DVD.  Nothing can replace shared reading between an adult and a child!  That being said, I did show this DVD recently while substitute teaching to fill in the gaps of time while I cleaned up art projects.

North Star & More Stories About Following Your Dreams features five stories:

1. The North Star
2. That Book Woman
3. Players In Pigtails
4. Yo! Yes?
5. Swamp Angel

My two favorite stories are Players in Pigtails and Swamp Angel.  Players in Pigtails is about women playing baseball and is a great story to inspiring girls.  It’s message is that girls can do anything boys can do just as well and is based on the historical formation of the  All American Girls Professional Baseball League.   Swamp Angel is of the classic American genre of tall tale.  The kids were laughing out loud at this story, and I found it very entertaining.

Would I buy this DVD?  No.  I would rather read children the stories than put on a DVD.  Plus, there is nothing eco-friendly about this product.  It comes in your standard plastic DVD case instead of recycled cardboard.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Scholastic Story Book Treasures: North Star & More Stories About Following Your Dreams is a post from: Eco Child's Play