Education Helpers: U-PLAY MAT and LeapFrog TAG
September 17, 2009 by Kimberly · 3 Comments
Although I have “issues” with the current educational system in our country, I’m definitely a big fan of education. I am definitely not one of those parents who expect their kids to learn everything in school. I definitely believe that one of my “roles” as a mom is to nurture a love of learning in my kids. I try to do so in a variety of conventional and unconventional ways. Today, I’m going to share about two brands that I have found especially helpful in accomplishing my goal of encouraging my kids to love books…Play This Way Everyday and LeapFrog.
Play This Way Every Day
I am so excited about this new company. This is one of the first start-up companies that I have agreed to work with in regards to blogger relations. I just really believe in the founder’s mission AND the product. The founder of Play This Way Every Day, Dr. Jennifer Canter, is a pediatrician (and mom of 2 sets of twins). She actually came up with the idea for the company’s first educational product, the U-PLAY MAT while watching one of her children at a therapy session. Her goal is to bring this innovative educational product (that brings skills a speech or physical therapist would use) into mainstream play.
I had a chance to test out the mat with my kids and here are my thoughts:
-I like that it “forces” parents to actually get down on the floor in order to interact with their kids. I don’t know about you, but at times, I can get caught up with the “busy” nature of life. I must admit that at certain times, “Can we play…?” is my least favorite question! However, I know how important it is for my kids to see me slow down, sit down and actually play with them.
-I like that it’s low-tech. We are a gamer family, so my boys are naturally drawn to anything electronic (television, computer, DS, Wii, etc.). I think that all of those things have their place, but little is as bonding as good, old-fashioned play. The mat is fun when I use it with Sean by myself BUT it is even better when Michael plays my “helper”. Michael enjoys using the theme-based flash cards (that go into the 15 clear pockets) to “teach” his little brother.
-It is well designed. Besides the quality of products, it’s important to me that they are self-contained. (I’m a clutter-phobe.) The mat comes with a tote bag where you can neatly place the mat and cards. I just put everything in the bag and place it in my kids’ closet. Yes!
At first, I didn’t understand why the words were not spelled out at the bottom of the cards. Then, I learned that is best for an open type of play. Overall, I think that the U-PLAY MAT is a quality product. If you have (or know) infants, toddlers, or kids with special needs, then you might want to stock up on some of these mats as early holiday gifts. To help, Dr. Canter is offering Mom in the City readers a discount. Simply use the code “Mominthecity10” at Play This Way Every Day in order to receive ten percent off your purchases from now until October 30th. A picture is worth more than words, so see a detailed clip of the mat’s qualities below…
LeapFrog
Let me start off by writing that my family has been a huge fan of Leap Frog products since Michael’s birth…way before I started parenting writing. We have purchased several of their products as gifts for our kids and other people’s kids. Over the last few years, so many toy companies have reached out to me…but never Leap Frog! Last month, someone from their company reached out to me regarding their TAG products. Of course I was more than happy to review them. As expected, they are great products. (Some companies are just “smart” in my mind – LeapFrog is one such company.)
I was sent the LeapFrog Tag Reading System (32 MB)
I also received the LeapFrog Tag Junior book pal
In any event, I’m a fan of any product that makes education fun for my kids…and for me!
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Mama Plays Mozart´s last blog ..Thursday Thoughts
Leap Frog is a great educational system. I hope that my son has the opportunity to win this great gift. He loves anything that has to do with school and learning.