About.com Parenting Preschoolers

Friday Find: Food Chain Friends

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:16:04 +0000

I'm trying to decide if the Food Chain Friends (compare prices) from Pint Size Productions is funny or disturbing.

I'm going to go with funny.

This plush collection of five creatures hail from the planet Daro -- a place similar to earth two million years ago. Similar to nesting dolls, each creature fits into the mouth of the one that is larger, allowing them to "eat" one another. Each has a backstory and a relationship with the other, but most importantly, they are fun to look at and play with and your preschooler is going to think they are a riot (and so will you!)

Does your preschooler have any "odd" toys?

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Image: PriceGrabber/Pint Size Productions

Friday Find: Food Chain Friends originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 06:16:04.

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Kellogg's Backs Down from Immunity Claims

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:16:31 +0000

So maybe Cocoa Krispies isn't a miracle food after all. In response to criticisms from parents, health experts, doctors and nutritionists, Kellogg's is removing the claim from boxes of their "Krispies" cereals that the breakfast food helped boost immunity.

The labels, which read, "Now helps support your child's IMMUNITY" and touted the increased amounts of Vitamins A, C and E found in the cereal, are featured on the front of Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies and Frosted Krispies boxes.

Yesterday, the company released a statement that said "While science shows that these antioxidants help support the immune system,given the public attention on H1N1, the Company decided to make this change. The communication will be on pack for the next few months as packaging flows through store shelves. We will, however, continue to provide the increased amounts of vitamins A, B, C and E (25% Daily Value) that the cereal offers."

Critics suggested that the company was taking advantage of a heightened awareness of the flu and the H1N1 virus. Kellogg's has responded that the boxes were printed last spring, long before any flu scares.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Kellogg's Backs Down from Immunity Claims originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 18:16:31.

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Put Old Campaign Signs to New Use

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:05:08 +0000

The folks at Disney FamilyFun magazine shared this adorable tip for recycling old campaign signs that I just had to pass on:

It's time to take those campaign signs off the front lawn but instead of throwing them away, why not put them to good use! Disney FamilyFun magazine recommends turning those old campaign signs into special birthday signs for your children. Just prime and paint them "Happy Birthday Ryan!" and reposition them in the front yard for a very special birthday surprise. Your kids will love this new tradition and the signs can be repainted and stored for years to come!

More birthday party ideas:

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Image: Disney FamilyFun

Put Old Campaign Signs to New Use originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:05:08.

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Turn the Page Tuesday: Turkey Trouble

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:13:35 +0000

Everybody is looking forward to Thanksgiving! Everyone that is, but the Turkey of course. In order to save himself, he decides if he doesn't look like a turkey, Farmer Jake won't be able to find �him. So he dons some disguises -- a horse, a sheep, and the unexpected last costume -- to lots of laughs.

Turkey Trouble (compare prices) by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper is a great book for preschoolers. Featuring funny drawings, repetitive text and a silly story, this is a family tale you can read again and again in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. We laughed out loud at Turkey's outlandish getups -- a red glove for a rooster and a scrub brush for a horse's mane. It features a satisfying ending -- one that might even change what you eat the fourth Thursday of November this year.

Have you started to prepare for Thanksgiving?

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Book cover image: PriceGrabber/Marshall Cavendish

Turn the Page Tuesday: Turkey Trouble originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 12:13:35.

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Pajama Program and PBS KIDS Sprout Tucks Kids In

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:42:27 +0000

For most of us, putting our little ones to bed is a no-brainer. Sure, we may stray from the bedtime routine on occasion and there are often times when we may find a little one sleeping beside us in the middle of the night, but there is usually no anxiety involved. With a bed, warm pajamas, a favorite lovey all at the ready, off your preschooler can happily go to slumberland.

Unfortunately, for some, bedtime is anything but worry-free. According to the Pajama Program, there are thousands of children nationwide who are not able to enjoy the simple pleasure of a good night's sleep. Some are in shelters and orphanages, some have been abandoned and many are shuttled between temporary facilities.

And now that the weather is getting colder, we have entered what the Pajama Program calls "The Danger Season" -- six months between October and March when temperatures drop where many kids find themselves without warm sleeping clothing. The group has created a Facebook page, where users are able to donate to the program, as well as share their favorite bedtime stories and routines.

In an effort to increase awareness, preschool channel PBS KIDS Sprouthas launched the second annual "The Great Sprout Tuck-In." The network will match donations of pajamas and books for up to 100,000 children through September 30, 2010.

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Pajama Program and PBS KIDS Sprout Tucks Kids In originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 06:42:27.

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Friday Find: My Virtual Tutor

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:43:15 +0000

For many parents, saying "no" to video games for preschoolers is a knee-jerk reaction (it was for me anyway). But as handheld game systems become more and more popular for younger children, so do games with a purpose -- educational cartridges that can teach kids early math and reading, as well as other important developmental skills.

Such is the case with My Virtual Tutor (compare prices), a game for the Nintendo DS geared especially for kids in preschool through second grade (there are different titles available depending on the age of the child).

Developed as part of a university study at the University of Colorado, My Virtual Tutor is an interactive game that helps kids work on things like phonics and comprehension. They hold the DS like a book, while a "teacher" leads them through different games and books.

Does your preschooler play video games?

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Image: Mentor InterActive

Friday Find: My Virtual Tutor originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 10:43:15.

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Thrifty Thursday: Recession Payback Game from ConAgra Foods

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:44 +0000

Suffering from Recession Rage? ConAgra Foods wants to help you vent with their new Recession Payback Game. You pick from one of four "Recession Culprits, " a "Recession Fighter" and then play a quick video game, beating up the bad guys. At the end, your prize is a coupon for a ConAgra food product, including Marie Callender's Frozen Meals, Manwich, ReddiWip, LaChoy, Hunt's, Orville Reddenbacher and Chef Boyardee.

Some may say the game is politically incorrect, but it's funny and offers a nice payoff.

More Thrifty Thursday on the About.com Parenting Channel:

Do you use coupons?

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Thrifty Thursday: Recession Payback Game from ConAgra Foods originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 05:00:44.

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Report: Kids, Especially Minorities Need More Vitamin D

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:16:01 +0000

It's the fourth letter of the alphabet, but tops when it comes to your child's nutritional needs. Vitamin D -- available in milk, oily fish, sunlight and other sources -- helps build bones and prevent serious diseases, including infections and diabetes. But a new study published in the November issue of Pediatrics says that one in five U.S. kids aged 1- 11 don't get nearly enough of the important nutrient, a number that climbs to almost 90 percent when considering black children in that age group and 80 percent of Hispanic children.

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines on the amount of vitamin D that all children, newborns through age 18 receive on a daily basis.

The report, Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, said that all children should receive 400 international units (IU), of Vitamin D, or the equivalent of drinking four 8-ounce glasses of fortified milk every day.

That sounds like a lot but there are ways to increase the amount of vitamin D in your child's diet without too much fuss.

How much vitamin D does your preschooler get?

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Report: Kids, Especially Minorities Need More Vitamin D originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 13:16:01.

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Turn the Page Tuesday: Skippyjon Jones - Lost in Spice

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:15:06 +0000

Hey amigos, guess who's back? Lovable kitty Skippyjon Jones returns in the newest title by Judy Schachner -- Skippyjon Jones, Lost in Spice (compare prices).

This time around, our fearless feline decides to visit Mars. He knows what it is covered in after all -- spicy red pepper. Where else would it get its color from?

As per all the Skippyjon titles, this one is lots of fun. There's lots of interesting characters to meet and smile at, and Skippyjon's limitless imagination will keep everyone happy. So silly -- perfect for reading aloud with your little one.

Do you have a favorite preschool fictional character?

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Image: Dutton Juvenile

Turn the Page Tuesday: Skippyjon Jones - Lost in Spice originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 06:15:06.

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Disney Offering Refund on "Baby Einstein" DVDs and Videos

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:48:36 +0000

Thanks to a potential class-action lawsuit threatened by the �Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood, if you purchased a Baby Einstein DVD or video between June 5, 2004 and Sept. 4, 2009, you are eligible to get your money back. Parent company Disney is offering a refund to consumers in the form of $15.99, one Baby Einstein CD or book of your choice or a coupon for 25% off the purchase of one Little Einsteins product at DisneyStore.com.

Since 2006, CCFC has filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission in regard to Baby Einstein and another company, Brainy Baby, saying that the two were making false claims that their videos and DVDs were educational. Both removed the word "educational" from their packaging, but last year the CCFC took it a step further, threatening a class-action lawsuit for "unfair and deceptive practices" unless Disney offered refunds to its consumers.

Baby Einstein has had a money-back guarantee in place for quite some time, but it was only good for 60 days from the date of purchase. The new offer is available until March 10, 2010.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under the age of 2.

Disney Offering Refund on "Baby Einstein" DVDs and Videos originally appeared on About.com Parenting Preschoolers on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 23:48:36.

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