Opening the Wide World to Kids: Innovative ?Pretendables? Combines Imagination, Learning? and Future Careers ? In One Package ?You Are What You Read?
So what do your kids want to be when they grow up? Indiana Jones? Shaquille O'Neal? The neighborhood doctor? The friendly fireman? With the incredibly innovative, developmentally appropriate and altogether fun Pretendables? , anything is possible.
M.O.G. Kids, Inc., an exciting new children's educational product development company, is introducing one-of-a-kind Pretendables, the first book and toy set to combine a book, CD-ROM, toy and costume in a single, play-inspiring package. Based on the premise, "you are what you read," this unique and clever concept invites children ages 3-6 to enjoy the story in the book, dress up in the enclosed apparel, role play with the toys and interact with their parents or friends. In this warm and wonderful way, Pretendables introduces them to exciting careers and adventures.
Its carefully selected components and sweet story themes inspire a child's most precious gift ? imagination?while at the same time encouraging a love of reading.Developed by former patent attorney Steven Fink, who dramatically changed careers after his personal experiences of 9/11, Pretendables' goal is to open the world to young children. "There is nothing else like this on the market," says Fink. "No one is combining all these wonderful elements of a child's development, in a way designed for the ultimate learning and play experience." Fink developed the concept and wrote the books.Pretendables has six themed activity categories -- Professional, Sports, Safety, Make Believe, Explorer and Public Service ? designed to encompass every aspect of a child's possible future career choices. "They seemed to be a natural division of the way our society is broken down," says Fink. "We wanted to present each career as having equal value." Each set consists of a colorful hardcover book, a delightful outfit or uniform that fits the book's subject, interactive game-playing computer software that connects to the topic, and a theme-related toy.
By donning a lab coat and stethoscope like book characters Victor & Vikki Veterinarian or changing into a safety vest and whistle like Sammy & Sharon Safety, children can "become" one of the characters that they are reading about. Nine kits are being introduced now, with many more titles planned."We chose fields that kids would get excited about," said Fink. "Victor and Vikki Veterinarian is a great example because it teaches children about caring for others, while they also learn about different animals and the various responsibilities of a real veterinarian." From Nightmare to DreamDisplaced from his home a block from the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and frustrated with corporate law, Fink, who had invented everything from patented anti-car-jacking products to electronic novelty devices while in school, wanted to switch to a field that would provide an outlet for his creative energy. Fink's inventive juices flowed not only during waking hours but also during sleep, as the concept for Pretendables came to him in a dream."What could be more important than creating opportunities for children to read, imagine and learn, while beginning to discover what they really want to do in life?" he continued, perhaps reflecting on his own change of course. "Because of the time youngsters spend in front of TVs and computers and the preponderance of electronic/tech toys in recent years, opportunities for creative play are becoming more and more limited.
Pretendables incorporates the best of traditional play in an innovative way that incorporates both low and high-tech elements."The "fantasy" or "imaginary" play format is developmentally appropriate for the preschool age group and highly recommended by experts. It's ideal for children because it allows them to be anything they want to be, while developing language, social and problem-solving skills which help prepare them for school. Pretendables is also great for parents because it enables them to interact with their children through role play and reading. "Pretendables positively impacts children in three different ways: It offers them immediate fantasy fun,
supports ongoing development without kids even realizing they're learning, and plants the seeds for the kind of future career choices that will help them become happy and fulfilled adults."Bottom line: Kids love Pretendables because it's fun, parents love it because their children are reading and learning and dreaming about what they can be.Since its debut, Pretendables has received nine Preferred Choice awards from Creative Child Magazine, for excellence in promoting creativity in play and learning.Pretendables book sets are available at www.mogkids.com and retail for a special introductory offer of $29.95..
Mr. Cheapie's Frugal Shopping Tips
Hello. Mr. Cheapie here again with three more fantastic I-can't-believe-I-didn't-think-of-that frugal shopping tips. I already gave you my best frugal eating tips at:http://www.thehappyguy.com/frugal-living-tip.htmlNow let's move away from food, because it is to always important to buy the sizzle, not the steak. That's the first tip.
If the steak was any good, why would Madison Avenue spend all its efforts selling the sizzle?Let's face it, you don't care which widget fits into the combotubulator under the hood; you just want a sporty new set of wheels painted in flamethrower red. Here is how you negotiate down the price of a new vehicle. Just say, "No engine, please. No transmission. No coolant.
Nothing under the hood, please. Nothing that doesn't shine when I polish the car in my driveway. You would be amazed at the astounding bargains you can negotiate on a new car with no engine. Plus, the car will weigh much less, so you will save on gas.Next, head over to your favorite...
Mr. Cheapie's Frugal Shopping Tips
Tvs > Mr. Cheapie's Frugal Shopping Tips
Home Theater Website Targets Common Shopping Mistakes
Many shoppers this Christmas will purchase home theater components that quickly become obsolete because of rapidly evolving new technologies. But there are ways to "future-proof" your home electronics shopping, says Wayde Robson, editor of www.hometheaterfocus.com, a leading consumer advice guide."Consumers feel frustrated and confused by what's available on the home theater market today," says Robson, "partly because they have seen how quickly products change in home electronics."Robson says there are a few basic precautions that consumers can take to make sure their home theater components remain usable for many years. Robson's annual "Christmas List" of shopping tips and traps for the holiday season can be found at: http://www.hometheaterfocus.com .Here are some of Robson's most useful suggestions:HDTV ? When looking at HDTVs, make sure you get an...
Home Theater Website Targets Common Shopping Mistakes
Tvs > Home Theater Website Targets Common Shopping Mistakes
Tips On Caring For Your Valentine's Day Flowers
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we thought this would be a great time to share a few tips on caring for cut flowers.Imagine it's Valentine's Day and you've just received a glorious bunch of roses. You put them in your best vase and you stand back to admire them. You'd love to make them last as long as you possibly can, but other than keeping them out of direct sunlight, you're not sure what to do.Here are some tips on how to extend the shelf life of your roses:
- Remove the roses from the vase and put them in a temporary container.
- Clean the vase by washing it thoroughly in water with household bleach.
- Fill the vase with fresh water and add a half teaspoon of household bleach for each litre (16 fluid ounces) of water.
- Remove your roses from their temporary container and lay them flat on a counter top.
- Remove any leaves which will show below the waterline in the vase.
- Cut about 20 mm (3/4 inch) from the base of each stem immediately before placing...
Tvs > Tips On Caring For Your Valentine's Day Flowers
Dancehall Superstar Sean Paul Heats Up Impact210; impact210.com
(ContentDesk) October 13, 2005 -- Impact210: The Magazine was honored to host VP/Atlantic Music recording artist Sean Paul the week after he made history! His 2nd CD, The Trinity is the highest ever reggae debut in SoundScan history, selling over 107,000 in its first week and scoring #7 on the Billboard 200, #4 on R&B chart, and #1 on the Reggae chart. Sean Paul visited Impact210 for an exclusive photo shoot and interview at Impact210 studios for www.impact210themagazine.com.Sean Paul, the man who put dance hall on the map, had huge success with his last album, DUTTY ROCK, which sold 65,000 in its first week and went on to become an international phenomenon, selling over 6 million worldwide. Sean Paul has collaborated with Beyonce, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and Sting. This time around, he is set to surpass his prior success, and raise the bar.
Sean Paul has won several awards including a GRAMMY, MTV Europe's Best New...
Tvs > Dancehall Superstar Sean Paul Heats Up Impact210; impact210.com
Best Home Theater - How To Choose The Best Home Theater System For Yourself
At first it seems like much fun having the cash to indulge and immerse yourself in high-definition video and surround sound, and then you realise there's more decision to be made than just placing a sleek TV panel and a bunch of speakers in the living room. Investing in a home theater system practically takes some planning in order to get the aesthetics right and make yourself comfortable with all the equipment around.1. Most readers won't expect this, but first of all, you do need to get your immediate family's agreement to have a home theater right in their midst. Decide whether it's OK to install the system in the living room, or have a separate room dedicated for a most complete TV watching experience while disturbances to other members are minimized.2. There are 2 main types of flat, high-definition TV: plasma and LCD.
Plasma is made for larger size and is closer to 5 figures in pricing than LCD, which can cost as cheaply as less than a thousand. Plasma is the main choice...
Best Home Theater - How To Choose The Best Home Theater System For Yourself
Tvs > Best Home Theater - How To Choose The Best Home Theater System For Yourself