Kids Build Character with Life’s Building Blocks
One of the trends I’ve noticed in children over the years – in my classroom and elsewhere, and it’s not a good one, is that many of them are less than empathetic (insert your own pet peeve here – respectful of adults is another one I’ve noticed). I don’t know the reason. More parents working long hours? Parents trying to be friends instead of parents?
Whatever the reason, the things that are suffering are all character traits that we, as a human race, should be concerned about.
Life’s Building Blocks is a company founded by Vikash and Juli Sanyal, two SoCal parents. Their goal was to develop character building products that would be fun for kids and easy for parents to use and they’ve succeeded with their award-winning lineup of age appropriate products.
In addition to creating Zaki, my child’s favourite lovable, talking, plush “character chameleon,” they placed Zaki in the midst of the Spruce Street Six — a group of best friends in the third grade. In the stories, the friends who make up The Spruce Street Six encounter many of the common ethical challenges that confront children everywhere. The stories highlight both the strengths, weaknesses and virtues of each of the children making them seem very real to the children reading. Because of that, the ethical decisions made in the book are easily transferred to the decisions they are faced with in their daily lives.
Zaki himself is geared toward children aged 3-6. My three year old is just at the youngest appropriate age and he loves it, but I can see how he will grow into using it more often. Actually I can see us pulling out Zaki as a teaching tool when we need to readdress some of the basic character issues. He sings “Zaki’s song” and has six short stories and rhymes starring the Spruce Street Six programmed into his innards. The best part of “Storytelling Zaki”, in my opinion, are the fins on his back which change colors when the kids are in situations where they should stop (red), slow down and think (yellow), or go for it (green)! It was the first thing to get the attention of my son and definitely the part that kept it. It gave us the opportunity to chat about the situations in the stories and ensure that he actually understood the thought processes going on in the characters. Zaki sells for $30.
The Spruce Street Six Chapter Books, for ages 6-9, feature characters Honest Jake, Jessica the Brave, Calm Carlos, Lauren Never Quits, Jarrett the Just and Kind Shawnie who, with Zaki’s help and their own consciences, take readers on fun adventures that use real dilemmas & ethical problem solving skills teach character building while they enjoy a good book. They sell for $6 a piece.
The related Spruce Street Six Activity Books help reinforce the moral lessons learned in the books via puzzles, short stories, word searches and crack coded messages. They also sell for $6 each
I’m glad to see more products that do more than sing songs and blink, and character building is one of the most valuable goals for a toy that I’ve seen yet.
Save 20% off a purchase of $15 or more with the code top20 through 12/31.
Win it! Thanks to Life’s Building Block’s we’re giving away one of each of these awesome character building products to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on December 29, 2008.
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED – Congrats to Beth!
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 am
These would be great for my 8 year old. Named, oddly enough, Lauren, so she would definitely like that book in particular!
Jill’s last blog post..Tis the season . . . to be disappointed
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I would love to have this…my little ones are only 2 and 5months but will be great as a future tool…I think anything that teaches character education to children is a wonderful tool
shirley rempel’s last blog post..Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’d like to be entered please.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:18 am
both my girls could have fun with this
you forgot the end date
Noreen’s last blog post..Salt Dough Ornaments
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 am
I’d love to be entered! These look great, I know my daughter would love it!
Casey H’s last blog post..100th post meme???
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:11 am
This would be great for my niece who turns 6 in April!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Wow, storytelling Zaki sounds just right for my 3 1/2 yr old, and my two yr old will probably love him too. I love that his fins change colours depending on the situation the kids in his story are in! It definately sounds like a great learning tool!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
My daughter would love Zaki. Thanks so much for this wonderful giveaway. You can’t never start too young in teaching kids values.
Janelle’s last blog post..Full to the Brim Kid’s Book Giveaways (12/19/08)
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
this sounds wonderful!! I’m def. going to check this company out!
Andrea’s last blog post..The Three S’s
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
What a great giveaway! Thank you for the chance
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Cool – enter me please!
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
These would be great to have. Thanks.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Would love to have them!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
This is so cute. My son would love this.
Jessica C’s last blog post..Win a luggage set
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I would like to win this prize for my son. Thanks for the chance.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Enter me please. Thanks.
Heidi
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com
December 24th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I would love this for my 1 year old because he is at the age now where learning is very very important.
December 24th, 2008 at 1:53 am
My 2.5 year old would love the lizard
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Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family’s last blog post..Book Review: The Little Man In The Map: With Clues To Remember All 50 States by E. Andrew Martonyi
December 24th, 2008 at 4:36 am
I found in my classroom experience the same thing that kids were less empathetic (and less respectful). I think sometimes it stems from the parents (how can you raise a child to be these things if you are not?), but also from society. Everything moves so quickly today- gosh, I sound like my granny!
December 24th, 2008 at 7:26 am
What a fun way to learn
December 24th, 2008 at 9:25 am
These are really neat products. Would love the opportunity to check them out a little better. Thanks for a great giveaway.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:01 am
This is too cute! Please count me in.
December 24th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
These look so interesting. Thanks for the chance.
December 24th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
My daughter could really use this.
December 24th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY
December 25th, 2008 at 3:22 am
I think both my boys could get into these. My oldest is three and his imagination is so awesome, so these would be right up his alley.
Thanks,
Michelle in Canada
December 25th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Please count me in! I would love to win this! THanks! ~
December 25th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Thank you for the chance to win! Merry Christmas =)
December 26th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I would love to win this for my son, thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
Ann’s last blog post..Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all!
December 26th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
This looks great! Enter me please!
Jennifer’s last blog post..We’re done!!
December 26th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Count me in please!
December 26th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Chrysa’s last blog post..7 Tips for Shopping Christmas Clearance Sales
December 26th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Teaching one of the morals in life is super.
December 26th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
This a great giveaway
December 26th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
The favorite toys around here is books.
December 26th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
enter me please
December 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
These are great–thanks!
December 26th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
What a wonderful toy. I love toys that teach kids that reading is fun. Thanks so much for this wonderful giveaway.
December 26th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
What a fabulous idea! I was a teacher before choosing to stay home with my daughter and “character education” was a very serious component of my curriculum. I would love to get a product like this to use with my daughter (and for future use in the classroom when I return next year). I believe good role models are the most effective way of teaching character, but explicit instruction is a must as well!
Thanks!
December 26th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
This is a great program. Thanks for the giveaway!
December 27th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
December 27th, 2008 at 12:20 am
these look great
December 27th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Awesome giveaway! Thanks so much for the chance to win.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:33 am
my daughter sarah loves to read! this would be wonderful for her. please enter me
December 27th, 2008 at 1:07 am
I think these are great. I like how they help teach morals and values. It’d be great for my 8 year old son.
December 27th, 2008 at 1:21 am
I would love to win this for my niece and nephew
December 27th, 2008 at 2:35 am
This would be wonderful for my little nephews! I agree,life lessons are so important.
December 27th, 2008 at 4:15 am
I would like to win for my grandchildren.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Please enter me for this fun prize.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:16 am
this would be perfect for avery. she loves her dolls, and one that will talk and teach is perfect
December 27th, 2008 at 8:48 am
This would be good for my 4 year old!
December 27th, 2008 at 10:04 am
just to cool
December 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I like that Zaki builds character by teaching morals and values.
December 27th, 2008 at 11:56 am
This would be such a great thing to share with my little girl asanother character building tool. thanks for the chance to win.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Thank you for having this! I would love to win this for my 3 children. THank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
December 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
would love to win
December 27th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I’d love to be entered too.
December 27th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I would love this for my little man! Thanks for the chance!
December 27th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
My grandkids would just love this!
December 27th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
This would be great for my great niece who is going on 3.
December 27th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Great toys for siblings to learn to share!
December 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Those look cool. My girls would love them.
December 27th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
This would be perfect for the little one in my life! She wants to read so badly and will make up stories by looking at the pictures in books. She is a very good child and takes values very seriously. Believe me, she will point out to anyone if they are doing something wrong. And I am not complaining!!!!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
December 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
very cool! fingers crossed for my little boy!
December 27th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Wow – neat concept! I would give these as a gift to my BFF’s son – named Zaki – as his 6th bday is coming soon and they would please both him and his mom!!
Thanks for entering me!
December 27th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
My two boys would certainly use these to the max.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I would love to win this for my grandson. I love how the scales on Zaki’s back light up to warn of different responses to situations. A super fun toy with an important purpose.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
why not me i love the prize
December 27th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
great for the grandkids.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Those books would be great for my kids.
donna444444@yahoo.com
December 27th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Very Cute – count me in please
December 27th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
This would be great for my niece.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
What great tools to use for our little guys, and perfect timing no less:)
December 27th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
We have been looking for more educational stuff along these lines. thanx
ardy22 at earthlink.net
December 28th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Sounds good. I would like to win these for my grandkids!
December 28th, 2008 at 2:22 am
These would be great for my 7-yr. old grand-daughter. Thanks for the contest.
December 28th, 2008 at 2:50 am
This would be a perfect gift for my 7 yr old granddaughter. Thank you for the giveaway
December 28th, 2008 at 7:00 am
great product
December 28th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
December 28th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
My girl’s would love to win this!!!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
December 28th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Looks like a lot of fun!
December 28th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Now this is nicely creative and I love that Zacki !
December 28th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
want to win this
December 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Would love to win. Thanks for the chance!
December 28th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Great fun for the grandkids. Thanks.
December 28th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
The Spruce Street Six Chapter Books looks nice
December 28th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
This would be absolutely great for my grandson!!
December 28th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
This would be great for either my own children or for use in my kindergarten classroom! Thank you!
December 28th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I would love to win this for my four year old son. Thanks for the chance to win.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I hope I win, my little one would love these toys!
December 28th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Would like to have for the Grandchildren
December 28th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
This would be perfect for my nephew.
December 28th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
This looks great for my 4 year old. Great giveaway!
December 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Reading to children early is a good thing.
December 28th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
This is so adorable. my son would so love this.
And I love the fact that it teaches good things such as morals and trust.
Things that are to me hardest to instill in our children today.
Thank you so much for offering this wonderful giveaway.
Happy Holidays !
December 29th, 2008 at 12:23 am
My granddaughter would love this, please enter me.
December 29th, 2008 at 5:49 am
My son would love this….Thanks for the giveaways
December 29th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
December 29th, 2008 at 7:43 am
please enter me thank you
December 29th, 2008 at 8:01 am
This would be great for my granddaughter.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:34 am
My daughter would love them.thanks
December 29th, 2008 at 8:52 am
This is a really nice idea for a game. I’d love my daughter to play it with her friends to start a good conversation going.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:26 am
This would be wonderful for my 3 yrold granddaughter.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:14 am
My daughter would like this. Thanks for the chance!
December 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I would like to win these for my grand-daughter.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Pick Me! Pick Me! I would love to win a book.
This book sounds like an awesome read! My hubby would love it (I’M thinking Christmas) It’s very kind of you to offer such a great giveaway.
Count me in too please.
Thanks
Tammy OHagan
tammyohagan ~~~ AT ~~~ westco ~~~ DOT ~~~ net
Tammy OHagan’s last post…Hardees Biscuits Recipe
December 29th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Pick Me! Pick Me!
Thanks
Tammy OHagan
tammyohagan ~~~ AT ~~~ westco ~~~ DOT ~~~ net
Tammy OHagan’s last post…Hardees Biscuits Recipe
December 29th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
The Storytelling Zaki sounds like a great learning toy both of my kids would love. I think its cool that Life’s Building Blocks is teaching about virtues, morals, etc…Great idea.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I would love to win! Thank you so much.
December 29th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
My son would like this
December 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
would love to win for the grandkids. Happy New Year
December 29th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Zaki is such a wonderful teaching tool for children. I love that not only is he interactive, but he teaches values which are so essential for our children to learn. Values which are seldom taught on other mediums, particularly television.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I love the concept of a toy/book that teeaches moral lessons!
What a great idea to help our children developed into loving caring persons.
Thanks!
December 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
This sounds great for my two sons! Thank you so much for the great giveaway!
December 29th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
count me in to win