As comfortable as I am talking about my own bodily functions since having children, I’m hoping that carries over to a constant conversation about my childrens’ bodies with them. However, I know that lots of parents are uncomfortable starting that conversation with their kids - particularly their daughters - if it hasn’t been a normal topic around the table. From breast buds & hair in strange places to mood swings and first periods, the changes that are brought about by puberty are vast.

No matter how comfortable or uncomfortable you are with talking about it, you and your daughter are sure to appreciate My First Period Kit & DVD from Healthy Chats. While no DVD should be your child’s sole education on the subject, this kit is a perfect starting point. She (and you) will hear the deets from an expert instead of the kids on the playground and you’ll have a mutual knowledge base when you talk about what’s happening with her on any particular day. Based on 15 years of Dr. Chrystal de Freitas presenting mother-daughter seminars & designed for mothers and daughters to watch together, the DVD breaks the ice in a close to perfect way for conversations about anatomy, hygiene, periods & the use of the accompanying paraphernalia, emotional changes, conception & birth, values & principles and more.

The package includes the 99 minute DVD, a full colour parent guide and quick reference card, a bracelet and a “pad purse,” plus a 1-year Healthy Chats online/interactive subscription with newsletters & email access to Dr. de Freitas.

Win it! We’re giving away a My First Period Kit & DVD valued at $20 to one randomly selected T.O.P. reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before September 15/08 @ midnight MST.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

If you’ve got an early writer or or a frustrated youngster who wants to do exactly what their school aged sibling does, you know that writing is one of those things that only gets easier with practice and the only way you’ll get your kids to practice is if you find ways to make it a little less like work and a little more like fun.

Write Way To Learn, a new mom-run company, makes writing practice fun for preschoolers with their fabulous multi-sensory learning cards. You can shop by level (easy, intermediate or challenging) or by theme. The seventeen available themes vary from family & world, for both of which you can upload your own pics, to shapes & bugs. Each oversized, super high quality, non-toxic card features a word and a corresponding picture and ample space for your child to write the word on the card over and over and over again. The cards can be created using your choice of font, and sign language cards featuring children’s hands signing the word are available. My son’s favourite feature is the “Personalization Pocket” - “a clear pocket that overlays the image area and empowers your child to customize the image by simply inserting a personal photograph, drawing, magazine clipping, etc. It is large enough to hold sizes up to a half sheet of paper (8.5″ x 5.5″). By using this pocket, your child is given yet another method in which to interact with the words he or she is learning on the card, therefore strengthening the learning experience and promoting retention.” I also love that you can choose the printable versions of the kits and make them at home (which is more affordable and therefore accessible to more children) and then tuck them in a sheet protector to make them reusable. They might not be as pretty but they’ll sure work. The learning kits come with the cards, a white board, a set of 4 dry erase markers, an accompanying learning guide and it all comes in a handy travel tote.

If you’re one of the first 100 customers of this great new company you’ll get a free printable learning card set of your choice, so buy yours now! I can think of several preschoolers who’d love to have a few of these kits appear under the Christmas tree. (In 121 days…get shopping!)

Win it! We’ve got a printable “My Animal Friends” kit to give to one randomly selected commenter. To enter, visit the Write Way To Learn site and leave a comment on this post before September 1, 2008 with the themes or products not mentioned in this review that you think your child (or grandchild, neighbour or cat) would like best.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

A child’s name is usually the first and most important word they learn to print. When Canadian teacher and parent Lee-Ann O’Neill had a preschooler she, as we all do, was continually dotting out her name for tracing purposes. As an early childhood teacher and a mother, I spend more time dotting than I can keep track of.

Lee-Ann developed a stamp for her daughter and shares it with the rest of us via The Little Stamp Company. Her self-inking “signature stamp” features a large ‘dotted’ font so that children can stamp their own name on paper, colouring pages, artwork etc. and then trace the letters of their name. She offers three custom options for you to indicate your child’s name, select the ink colour, choose whether you would prefer ALL CAPS or Lower Case. (ECS teacher recommendation: Lower Case Please!) The ink Lee-Ann uses is edible and made entirely with FDA approved ingredients. It’s water based, child safe, washable, eco-friendly and lasts for thousands of impressions. My son has probably broken a thousand now (not all on paper so I can attest to the washability!) and his signature stamp is still going strong.

At $24.95, it might be a little more than you’d normally spend on a stamp but in my opinion as both a teacher and a parent, it’s totally worth it. They’ll love the sense of accomplishment & independence and it will save you hours of dotting time.

Save 15% on your signature stamps with the code TOP15.
This code is also among friends in the TOP Shops, where we feature exclusive online shopping discounts just for you!

Win it! Your child could win their own stamp from The Little Stamp Company! One winner will be randomly selected from all comments left on this post before August 29/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

My son is just a little under two years old and his favourite hobbies for many months have been singing the ABC’s and identifying letters. He’s pretty normal - he plays with cars, kicks balls and wrestles his dogs, but he does love literacy! I suppose it comes from having an early childhood teacher for a mother and another one for a Grandma. Either way, I was so excited when his kit from See Me Read came in the mail. He’s always excited to get mail but was more excited than usual because it was actually something to do instead of a card. He immediately took out the flash cards and started “reading” the words! It was easy for him because all of the pictures on the cards were of his family, his things and things around his own house.

See Me Read provides several options for your little learner. Kit 1 includes personalized labels, reading cards and a level one book for $49.99. Kit 2 includes a more complex level two book and a writing pad. for $39.99. The Complete Kit containing all of the items in both kids sells for $79.99 - a $10 savings from purchasing the kits separately. Each item can also be ordered individually for $19.99. After seeing all of the items in my son’s complete kit, I’d recommend going all out for the whole thing because you’ll want it when your child moves past the initial level. All of the items are top quality, and your child will go nuts for the pictures from their own home in all of the materials.

While my little guy at almost two isn’t really “reading,” he’s certainly well on his way and the See Me Read system has given him a great start and the confidence that it takes to succeed.

Get 20% off your order with the code TOP2008

Win it! You could win a See Me Read Complete Kit valued at $79.99! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with SEE ME READ in the subject line before April 14 at noon MST telling us which one of the six core beliefs of See Me Read listed in their philosophy strikes a chord with you.

Get up to two additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with SEE ME READ in the subject line and the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate email from your other entry).

AND/OR

Subscribe to our RSS feed. Send an additional email to let us know that you did this for your extra entry.

Maximum three entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations Grace!

Raising kids is a huge responsibility. No big shock there. However, raising them should encompass more than assisting them to survive to legal adulthood. As parents, we also have a responsibility to teach our children to be savvy with their finances and give them more than a fighting chance at future financial security. You know, so they’ll spring for the very best in senior care facilities for their fabulous parents.

Financial literacy expert Susan Beacham and NYT bestselling author Lynnette Khalfani Cox have joined to co-write a series of smart & creative picture books which teach children some real life money lessons. The Millionaire Kid$ Club books - two volumes so far - use situations that children could easily imagine themselves in to teach that there are four things that you can do with money: save, spend, donate or invest.

Susan Beacham is also the creator of the cool banks pictured at right - a pig, cow or football with four sectioned areas for cash designated for saving, spending, donating and investing. I’m fairly sure I would have loathed that delayed gratification as a child and very likely would have benefited from using a bank like this.

Win it! We’re giving away a cow bank and book set to one lucky winner. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com before midnight MST tonight with MONEY in the subject line and tell us (a)why this bank and book set will benefit your child or (b) a money horror story from your past that you’d hate for your child to re-live. Good luck!

Congratulations Jared!

School Zone has done it again. They’ve managed to produce yet another great kit that entertains kids while they learn (and have no idea that they’re learning because they’re having so much fun) for a great price. The Preschool/Kindergarten Super Scholar pack contains four educational computer games on CD Rom and retails for just $34.99.

The four games are a great mix of the skills that children need when they’re making the transition from preschool to kindergarten.

Alphabet Express Letter Recognition teaches beginning sounds, letter/sound association, alphabetical order, problem solving and vocabulary.

Pencil-Pal Preschool Creativity Skills focuses on the alphabet, letter/number sequencing, classifying, colour, shapes, numbers & counting.

On-Track Transition Math Visual Discrimination teaches numbers from 1-20, shapes, patterns & sequencing, matching and telling time.

Finally, Flash Action Wonder Words Beginning Sight Words teaches word recognition, beginning sounds and categorizing.

We had a sibling pair try this set out for us sitting side by side at the family computer. The kids are 2.5 and 4.5 years old. The older one has been in preschool for a year and a half and is entering kindergarten in the fall. The younger is in her first year of very part-time preschool now. Both kids loved the games and, though the youngest was too young to grasp most of the concepts, she was able to “help” her brother with finding letters and numbers, and enjoyed watching him complete the games. She actually learned quite a bit by watching him and each time he repeated part of a game she’d pick up on more and start telling him what to do next! The 4.5 year old boy was the perfect age for this set. He learned many new skills and reinforced many that he was already familiar with. Their mother is very glad to have these games at her disposal for those times when her son was “bored” and normally may have wanted to watch TV because now she can allow him a more active screen time where he’s doing something more valuable than sit passively on the couch and stare.

These games come highly recommended and would be a great investment for your 3-6 year old child.

Win it! Enter to win the featured set for your kids by emailing theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with SUPER SCHOLAR in the subject line before midnight MST on 2/15/08. In the body of the email, tell us a little about the child(ren) you want this for and why you think it would be good for them. Please include your full name and mailing address for prize shipment if you’re selected.

Get an additional entry into this contest by blogging about it!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Email your link (in a separate email from your other entry) to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with SUPER SCHOLAR in the subject line.

Congratulations SJ!

By Angela, Contributing Writer

My kids, ages 3 and 5, have more toys now than they will ever need. More than they ever play with. So what did I ask for them for Christmas this year?

Books and software. Things that will help them learn (and things that won’t clutter my living room floor!).

But the problem with “learning” toys? The fact that most children would rather play than learn. How can you overcome that hurdle?

The JumpStart Learning System™ gives you the best of both worlds. Your kids are having fun while learning - how cool is that?

JumpStart World has been described as “educational software game based on national and state curriculum and research regarding how play can help children learn. Colorful and fun, JumpStart World is filled with hundreds of games with 3-D adventures that build reading, math, and critical thinking skills while instilling a love of learning and confidence, two of the key ingredients in academic success.”

How does it work? A series of 12 Adventure Packs for each grade level teaches your kids critical thinking, reading and math skills. The adventures take place in a 3D world that grabs your child’s attention and each Adventure Pack can be personalized with artwork, photos and custom rewards. The packs include over 30 learning games and missions with over 15 skills, progress report e-mails for parents (so you can keep track of how your child is doing), “Parent Tips,” access to the Member’s Website and online access to educational experts, and access to the Super Gems Reward Center (you customize the rewards your kids receive - ice cream anyone?).

Ed: Every child I know who has played these games has loved them and had no idea that they were learning!

Use the code JSW5TR for $5 off every game! (That brings them down to $12.99. Totally worth it.)

You can also try it free for 5 days.

We’ve got a 3 pack to give away to one lucky T.O.P. reader - Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade! To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with JSW in the subject line and tell us one of the awards that this great program has won. Contest closes at midnight MST on 1/4/08. Congratulations Leah!

By Angela, Contributing Writer

(prize section updated)

Ever heard of “Symphonic Art Animation?” I hadn’t either until I was sent these amazing DVDs. The Little Laureate’s developmental series for children ages 1 to 4 (My World Gallery, My World Colors and My World Adventure) literally blew me and my kids away. Because these? Are nothing like your “typical” baby/toddler DVDs. No mind numbing sock puppets here!

In these DVDs, the main character, Star (and her sister Starlette), lead your child (and you - these DVDs are designed for a shared experience with you and your child) on a journey through famous works of art, culture, and classical music. It’s hard to articulate just what a visually stunning journey this is. Famous pieces of art are “constructed” on the screen, one piece at a time, in tempo with the music (some of my favorite pieces of classical music), teaching colors, art appreciation and even foreign language as you go. And be sure to check out “The Crawl,” an onscreen parent guide of art history, parenting tips and family art activities (a unique feature to this series). This series is amazing! Even my 5 year old could not take his eyes off the screen and asked for more when each DVD was finished!

Each set is only $34.95 and includes the 30-minute DVD, 60-minute CD of classical music performed by the Moscow International Orchestra, and 24 page parent booklet that contains information on the art, artists and music along with expert tips on raising a creative child.

• My World Gallery is a movable feast of art and music that explores over 500 years of art, from Van Gogh to Picasso to living artists (Andy Warhol showed up a lot!)
• My World Adventure is an interactive, cross-cultural journey to all seven continents that features art, animals, architecture, geography, climate and how to say “I Love You” in five different languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese).
• My World Colors uses art, architecture and even international street signs to present the colors of the rainbow spectrum in order (a Kindergarten requirement in most states) in 3 languages (English, French and Spanish - Chinese characters are also used).

And I’m not the only one who thinks so highly of this series. Check out the numerous awards bestowed on them, including the prestigious Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 2007.
Bonus? Check out the web page for a handy online (grand)parents guide and “kids corner” where you can find coloring pages featuring favorite characters from the DVDs. [Ed: You can also check out some clips from the series here.]

These DVDs are perfect for holiday gifts for that special child in your life. And to make your shopping easier, use the code PROMO for a buy one get one free special through 12/31/07.

Want to try your luck at winning the whole series? We’ve got three complete sets up for grabs! Send one email to theopinionatedparent@gmail.com by midnight MST on 12/20/07 with Little Laureate in the subject line and tell us the name of the brains behind the company. Three winners will be randomly selected from all correct entries. Congratulations Elizabeth, Betty & Melanie!

Playaway is one of those ideas that made me wonder why it took so long for someone to invent it and, at the same time, incredibly glad that someone did!

So, what are they? Each Playaway is a pre-loaded digital audio player. They’re about half the size of a deck of cards and hold content that ranges from six to 40 hours of play time. They come ready to listen (with batteries, earbuds and a lanyard) and are completely portable. Kind of like a book on CD without the need for a CD player or a library (though they are in lots of libraries!) For us, they’ve become the ultimate in convenience. I’ve always been an audio book lover for car travel but rarely take time to get to the library & borrow them. Now I’ll be ordering my books from Playaway and sharing them after - since the units run off of AAA batteries & can be replaced as needed, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be used and used…and used!

Playaway has a selection of 700 audiobooks and there’s something for absolutely everyone! We listened to 100 Gross & Silly Songs which is awesome for kids and kids at heart, and we’re part way through Anne of Green Gables - still one of my favourite stories. I’m especially struck by the intelligent design of the Playaway. It remembers where I was and starts at the right spot ever time. No more flipping through tracks to try to find the right part of the right chapter. Praise the Playaway!

Receive 20% off your first order with the code OpinionatedParent20.

I highly suggest using this code today and giving yourself a reputation as the best gift giver in town! However…

Playaway is also listed in the TOP Shops, where we feature only the most fabulous online retailers offering discount codes exclusively for Opinionated Parents everywhere.

We’ve reviewed a School Zone product before and it was fabulous so I wasn’t surprised to see that the three that recently arrived in the mail were just as wonderful.

The 3D Think & Blink Alphabet Flash Cards are a fancy take on the old alphabet cards and the cool holographic images are sure to entire even the most reluctant learner into playing school. As you tilt the cards slightly, the image shifts from letter to picture (beginning with that letter sound, obviously). Every child that I showed these too loved them and most of them even got into alphabetizing by the end of play time. These cards are recommended for children aged 3-6 but I used them with my 18 month old son and he loves them! Exposure to literacy (provided that it’s not on TV) can’t happen too early.

Tracing Trails (Pre-Writing Skills) is a great little book that contains several exercises to help develop the hand-eye coordination that’s necessary to eventually write clearly. It comes with 68 reward stickers and is a great practice tool! (And it’s only $3.79!) Tracing Trails is recommended for kids aged 3-5 which sounds just about perfect. A couple of kids in my class (4&5 year olds) with extremely weak fine motor skills were able to feel very successful with some pages from this book.

The Flash Action Wonder Words Combo is a WAY cool workbook that covers a huge range of early reading skills from basic sight word recognition & beginning/ending sounds through comprehension, categorizing and sequencing and also comes with an awesome software package allowing your child to practice their reading skills independently. This book is a steal at $15.99 and I’d highly recommend it for almost every 5-6 year old I know.

You could win all three of the above items! To enter the random draw, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with SCHOOL ZONE x3 in the subject line. In the body of the email, tell us the original name of School Zone and the year that it opened. (See “about us.”) Contest closes 11/9/07 at midnight MST. One winner will be chosen at random. Congratulations Shannon!