Sunday, November 29, 2009

JumpStart Review and Giveaway

Using technology to promote learning has been a passion of mine since I became a teacher. Children just love to be engaged and many benefit from the visual stimulation as well as the immediate feedback that some websites and programs provide. And of course, just like television, all things in moderation. The girls started using a computer around three years old and it is amazing to see how their skills have progressed over the years.

Being I'm a proponent of using computers in the classroom and at home, I was happy to be given the opportunity to explore the JumpStart website. Both of the girls were very excited when they saw the variety of games and learning areas that the site had to offer.




As with other programs they've experienced, they enjoy making decisions about the character that they will be using to play. For JumpStart, they choose their own character known as a Jumpee, what he or she will be wearing, and it's name.




In StoryLand, Peanut enjoyed creating her own home as well. Storyland is appropropriate for ages 3 to 5, so some of the content wasn't as challenging for her, but we did find content that I felt was motivating and beneficial for her age. In the Learning House, her favorite activities were Present Search and the Story Reader. She enjoyed Present Search, because she could earn surprises hidden in the presents. Mom liked Present Search because it reinforces Preschool/Kindergarten direction skills: right, left, above, below. Peanut's quote after exploring the site: "Can I wake up early tomorrow before school so I have time to go on JumpStart?"

Other areas on the website are more appropriate for older children. AdventureLand is for grades K -2, as well as MarineLand. Recently, Futureland has been launched for older children ages 8 - 10. As Sunshine was playing in Futureland, she said "This is right up my alley." She enjoys learning adventures that take you on missions or where you need to solve problems. My daughter is also very musical, so I wasn't surprised that she enjoyed playing the music game, Sound Bop, in the Arcade. The object of the game is to listen to the different instruments and repeat the pattern after the instruments are played. Great for memory and listening skills


There are valuable resources on JumpStart.com for parents, such as the JumpStart Blog. It has updates for the website and creative ideas and activities.


Are you ready to try out JumpStart.com with your kiddos? Enter my giveaway to win a free 3 month membership! To enter, visit Jumpstart.com and click on About JumpStart. Explore one of the links and then come back and leave a comment. I will randomly select one winner. After contacting the winner, I will pass your email address on to JumpStart so that they can set up your 3 month account.

For extra entries:
1. Blog about the contest and link back to my blog. (2 entries)
2. Twitter or Facebook and link back. (1 entry)
3. Follow me! (1 entry)

Contest Deadline: December 14th



Good luck!!

Jen

“Disclosure: I was provided with a JumpStart membership at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hey There!

Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to blog lately and when I do get a few minutes to myself all I want to do is sleep. The baby is getting bigger now- only 4 1/2 weeks to go! Life has been a bit crazy as we try to get a nursery together and a new bedroom for the girls.
There has also been a lot going on with them- soccer banquet, gymnastics, and just recently they participated in a talent show. Therefore, Mom got involved by volunteering which was a bit much at 8 months pregnant! And believe it or not, I'm still working on the weekends. And today, we waited 2 1/2 hours for a H1N1 vaccination. So there are my non-blogging excuses- I have more, but I'll decline from whining!

Anyways, here are a couple of things to look forward to on Creative and Curious Kids!

*The girls have been testing out a wonderful website created by JumpStart. I will be reviewing the site and giving away a 3 month membership- stay tuned.

*Also, we are reading a wonderful chapter book about the true story of a family of Ospreys. (Oscar and Olive Osprey: A Family Takes Flight) Can't wait to share more details about this book when we complete it.

*Talent Show photos of the girls- very cute!

All for now- time to sleep, again, that is if the little guy will let me.

Take Care!

Jen

Friday, November 13, 2009

Mmmm! Black Olives

Do you think that we can pass on our love for a certain type of food to our children? For instance, do all children go crazy for black olives or is this just my family? When I was a child, I loved them. I mean loved them like I adored chocolate or cookies. Weird, huh? My grandma would be sure she pointed out the bowl to me at every holiday dinner. I even got my own can in my stocking each year from Santa!

Well, now take a look at my girls! They are pretty crazy about black olives as well.




So my question for you today is this? Did you put black olives on your fingers as a child and does your child continue with this tradition?

I guess it is pretty creative, even if they are playing with their food. It is just funny to see them do things that I did as a child.

Enjoy your day!

Jen

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: An Unusual Pumpkin

You will find this either funny or very strange! Either way, my girls had a blast doing it! The girls had so much fun painting my large pregnant belly. What a canvas! And besides, baby needed to dress up, too. He,He.



















Happy Wordless Wednesday! (for more W.W., be sure to visit 5minutesformom.com.)

Take Care,
Jen

Monday, November 9, 2009

Time for Snow, Mom!


As I listened to the girls laughter, I thought to myself, "Okay, it might get a little bit messy, but listen to the fun they are having." They approached me with tissue paper butterflies that they cut out of tissue paper and were excited about the way they drifted to the ground, so they asked if they could create more and let them fly around the living room. At first I hesitated, but then okayed the idea- they were being creative and the butterflies were large enough that they could pick them up.

Well, during their imaginative play, the butterflies soon became snow. Their cutouts became smaller and smaller. Little pieces of snow, hundreds of little pieces of white tissue paper snow. I was getting ready for my day, so I didn't know that this change in their play plans had occurred. Boy was I surprised to see my living room covered in white from the tables to the floor. Luckily, I didn't overreact (I think!), and had them clean the entire mess before Daddy came home. (Daddy gets a little uptight about these types of messes- don't tell him that I told you.)

Sometimes it is worth the mess so that they can have the joy of being kids!

Enjoy your day!

Jen

Thursday, November 5, 2009

What a Beautiful Award!

Inspire and encourage- this is what positive mommy bloggers do and how wonderful! Recently, I was awarded with a this Kreativ Blogger Award from Activity Mom and I am happy to pass it along.

I chose a few blogs that I've frequented before and then searched the web for a few new creative blogs.

Here are my winners:

The Creative (work at home) Mom

Filth Wizardry

Kid's Art Projects and Lessons at Ms. Julie's Place

Her Cup Overfloweth

Moments of Mommyhood

The Mom Creative

Today's Creative Blog


To accept this award, I am to write 7 things about me that others may not know, so here goes:

1. Baby boy due 12/25/2009. Christmas Blessing!
2. High School Sweetheart- Hubby. Shared over 20 years of life together!
3. Waitress on weekends even with this big belly.
4. Pets- 2 frogs.
5. Guilty pleasure- Grey's Anatomy
6. Life long struggle- organization and clutter
7. High School Job- Tastee-Freeze- cause of icecream addiction



Enjoy your day. Hope it is filled with many blessings!

Jen

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: Daddy's Heart


Daddy's girls- they will always have his heart!

Happy Wordless Wednesday! For more W.W., visit www.5minutesformom.com.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

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