The Name of the Game is Fun!

My final sneak peak to this year's Holiday Gift Guide before I publish it in its entirety features some

of my favorite games that can be used both during therapy and at home.  One of the most important things to me is that the kids I work with have opportunities to play games that their peers and/or siblings are playing with.  Well made games can be adapted to meet the needs of all kinds of children.  Each of the games that are in this section of my gift guide are ones that can be found in local toy stores and ones that can be adapted to meet the needs of each child.

Games and playing games with family and friends can be a seriously beneficial tool.  Not only does it help to develop socialization skills, it encourages executive function skills such as organization, sequencing, focus/attentional and time management skills.  Additionally, game playing can help in developing fine motor, grasping and visual motor/perceptual skills.  I love games that can be adapted up and down to different skill sets and especially love games that are fun and can be played at home to work on various occupational therapy goals.  Parents are always asking for things they can do at home that will work on some of their children's occupational therapy goals.  The nice thing about games is that they are fun and kids don't feel like they are doing "work".  Below, you will find the ones that my kids love to play with.

Wok and Roll-this is one of my all time favorite games to play with the kids at work.  It can be played individually or with up to 4 kids and can easily be adapted to meet the needs of each child.  For younger children, I let them play without turning it on and having it shake all around.  The older kids love when it shakes making it much more challenging for them.  The game comes with a bunch of different colored pieces of food in 4 different colors.  Using a pair of chopsticks, kids have to find their color food in the wok and place it in the same color bowl.  Great for working on developing fine motor skills such as improving grasp strength and manipulation skills.  Also great for working on eye-hand coordination, visual motor, perceptual and scanning skills.  For the younger kids, you can work on identifying and matching colors.
Whac-A-Mole-who doesn't love the arcade game Whac-A-Mole??  I've been using this game for several years and while there have been a lot of changes (I personally love this version that is no longer made but still sold on some websites), the game is still super motivating for so many kids!  This game is great for working on improving eye-hand coordination, visual motor/visual perceptual and focus and attentional skills. The most current version of the game is made for 1 or 2 players and when the moles light up or make sounds, you have to hit them.
Scatterpillar Scramble-I love this game for a million reasons.  First of all, I love games that can be adapted to work for different skill levels for the children I work with.  While I don't love battery-operated games, they tend to be better for adapting to different skill sets.  Scatterpillar Scramble is one of those games that you can use while turned on or off and the kids have fun either way.  Each player gets a set of marbles and a pair of tongs.  Using the tongs, they have to pick up their marble and put it on the caterpillars hands.  For beginners, I keep the game turned off so they don't get frustrated and give up.  As they get used to the game, I turn the game on and they have to try and put the marbles in while the caterpillar is dancing.  I can't tell you how funny the kids think this is and how proud they are when they finally get all those marbles on those moving arms!  Great for working on improving eye-hand coordination, focus and attention, visual motor and fine motor skills.  Play individually or with up to 4 kids.  

Obstacles- I have used Obstacles in both small groups and in my 1:1 sessions.  There are a bunch of cards that have barriers/hazards and a bunch of cards that have tools that can be used to overcome those barriers in order to get yourself home.  When used individually, I may have my kids who need to work on handwriting write out their thoughts and ideas.  When used in a group setting, you can pair kids up to work as a team to come up with the best way to overcome the obstacle with the tool they have.  I love games that can be adapted to meet the needs of a particular child and his/her goals and this is definitely one of them.  This game will provide hours and hours of entertainment to your child and encourage creativity and problem solving at the same time.  Also great for working on collaborative play and compromising with a friend.  

Doodle Quest-another great game by Blue Orange Games.  There are 36 different cards/challenges to complete.  Each player gets a dry erase marker and a transparent sheet to draw on.  A quest card is picked and put in the middle of the table so everyone can see it and each player must complete the drawing challenge making smart visual guesses.  After everyone has drawn their picture, they take their transparent sheet and place it on top of the challenge card to see how well they did.  This game is great for older children and works on improving visual spatial skills, problem solving and focus/attentional skills.  Doodle Quest is also great for working on fine motor and graphomotor skills.  If you are working in a small group, you could pair kids up with each other and have them work together in completing the quest.
Tenzi-this quick moving dice game is one of my favorite games.  The object of the game is very simple:  each player gets 10 dice and keeps rolling until they have 10 matching dice.  If you check out the this part of the Tenzi website, you will see that there are a bunch of other ways to play this game. Great for working on developing fine motor and strengthening skills, improves eye hand coordination and visual motor, perceptual and tracking skills.  It can be played with 2-4 players (or more if you buy more than one set).
Tumblin' Monkeys- This is by far one of my most favorite games...EVER!  It's fun for both my preschoolers and my school age kids.  It's similar to the game Kerplunk, but instead of a tower filled with marbles, you have a tree filled with monkeys.  The "real" rules of the game are that the person with the least number of monkeys at the end is the winner but I rarely play that way, especially with the younger kids.  For some kids, I will have them pull the branches out using a pair of Zoo Stix to work on increasing grasp strength and manipulation skills.  Tumblin' Monkeys can also work on developing grasping skills, eye-hand coordination and visual perceptual skills.

I hope that you all find some games for your little ones.  Keep in mind, these have been kid tested by hundreds of the kids I have worked with over the years.  If you have any questions or any suggestions for other great games that should be included on this list, please share them with me!  I am just a click away and love hearing from everyone.  

Menu Plan Monday: November 17th, 2014

I just realized that I never posted my menu plans for this week. I've been so busy preparing for my daughter's birthday party that I didn't even realize that it is Wednesday. It's the first year that I don't have her father to help with party arrangements so I have a little more on my plate than usual.

I followed last week's meal plan almost every day, but of course due to unexpected events things ran off course. Here I what am planning for the week of November 17th.

Monday

Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs and Rice Cake

Lunch - Turkey and Cheese Sandwich with Bell Peppers  

Dinner - Cheeseburger Mac and Spinach Salad

Tuesday

Breakfast - Oatmeal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

Lunch - Peanut Butter Sandwich and Carrots

Dinner - Cheeseburger Mac Leftovers and Broccoli

Wednesday

Breakfast - Special Birthday Pancakes for Alyssa with Fruit

Lunch - Turkey and Cheese Sandwich and Bell Peppers

Dinner - Alyssa: Birthday Dinner with her Father 

Thursday

Breakfast - Yogurt Fruit Smoothies

Lunch -Dinner Leftovers

Dinner - Fish with Honey Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus

Friday 

Breakfast - Cereal and Fruit

Lunch - Tuna Melts with Peas

Dinner - Shrimp with Lemon Angel Hair Pasta and Zucchini (Night Before the Party)

Saturday

Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs and Veggies

Lunch - Peanut Butter or Ham Sandwiches with Grape Tomatoes

Dinner - Spicy Black Bean Burger and Mixed Veggies

Sunday

Breakfast - Cereal and Chocolate Egg White Milk

Lunch - Chicken Taquitos and Brown Rice and a Spinach Salad

Dinner -Sausage Vegetable Soup and Cornbread

I will link this post up at Menu Plan Monday.

Building Your Way To Fun

Sneak peak #3 to his year's holiday gift guide....building blocks and other manipulative toys.  These toys might be my favorite to play with at work and to give as gifts.  All the ones I have recommended are ones that you can find in local toy stores (support your local small businesses!!) and ones that should last you a really long time.  How many of you still have your alphabet blocks, lincoln logs or tinker toys from growing up?  I have chosen manipulative toys that should hold up like those have for so many of us.

Blocks and manipulative toys are great for so many reasons.  First of all, they stimulate creative and imaginative play.  They also encourage social interaction and cooperative play when used in group settings.  As far os occupational therapy skills, they can be used to work on a million things including bilateral coordination, eye-hand coordination, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, focus and attention and fine motor skills such as hand strength and increasing in-hand manipulation skills.  I love that these toys can be used in a therapeutic setting and then brought into the home so families can have fun with their kids while working on the skills that we are focusing on during our sessions.  Check out my list below and have fun building and creating!

Tegu Blocks-these blocks are one of my absolute favorite gifts to give kids.  I have had these in my own home since my daughter could sit up and play with toys.  These wooden blocks have a magnet inside so they can stick to each other.  They come in a variety of shapes and colors and now there are sets available where you can build cars and robots.  I love that any age child can be successful when using the blocks.  Great for working on improving fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, problem solving and imaginative play.  Can be played with independently or in a group.  If you are in Park Slope, check out the toy store Norman & Jules who has the best selection of Tegu Blocks in NYC!  During the summer, they have an outdoor space with a giant board to allow kids to make some of the coolest Tegu Block designs!

MagnaTiles-these have been on my list year after year.  These plastic tiles have magnets build into them so they can stick together to build 2-D and 3-D creations.  They are great for working on improving fine motor skills, bilateral coordination and visual motor and perceptual skills.  They come in a variety of shapes and colors so you can work on color and shape recognition when using them.  Additionally, Magna-Tiles help promote imaginative play and creativity.  Children can play with them independently or in small groups to work on encouraging teamwork and compromise.  Magna-Tiles are pricey but they will last you forever since they are so durable and well made.  I have had the same set of Magna-Tiles in my office for at least 6 years and they look as new as they did when I first bought them and they have literally been used by hundreds of kids.
Ogobild Bits- I discovered this Brooklyn-based company last holiday season when I saw them at one of the many amazing holiday markets all over the city.  If you have kids who love building, but you have enough Lego sets, this is a great gift for them!  There are small and large sets and each comes with a bunch of suggested items to build.  Great for working on building a child's imagination skills while building the muscles of the hands!  I have used them in my social skills group both with preschoolers and school age kids and they had an absolute blast.  Ideal for working on building grasp Ogobild with Animate Studio kits which are great for your older kids who may be interested in learning more about stop motion animation moviemaking.
strength and manipulation skills, bilateral coordination, eye-hand coordination and visual motor and perceptual skills.  These are super durable building toys that you will have for years and years to come.  OgoSports keeps expanding this line and have a bunch of new ones this year, including two
LaQ- I discovered this awesome manipulative building set this summer after a trip to The Bronx Zoo.  For the Lego lovers, this is another great toy.  These are actually flat shapes that snap together to make a ton of different shapes.  For tons of different patterns to make cars, animals, people, etc. using these different shaped blocks, clink here.  My kids love them and I don't see them getting too frustrated when it gets difficult to follow the directions.  Better suited for the older kids I work with (often too difficult for the preschoolers, especially those with fine motor difficulties).
Lego Duplo Read and Build- Legos seem to be another one of those toys that never get old.  When I discovered the Lego Duplo Read and Build Sets, I was so excited.  These sets are perfect for those smaller hands
that have difficulty with the small size Legos.  The accompanying instructions are great because they give very clear visuals on how to build the different objects (jungle and farm animals, bugs/caterpillar, a fairy tale and a car set) in the book.  This requires a child to organize their work, plan what they are doing and follow visual directions.  Great for working on improving grasp strength and bilateral coordination skills, visual motor and visual perceptual skills.  I love that kids have to follow along with the story while building the different objects which works on focus and attentional skills.
Pencil Grip Popbeads-I love these small popbeads!  They are great for working on increasing grasp strength and bilateral coordination skills.  These popbeads are bright in color and the kids love them.  For younger kids working on identifying colors, you can use these to work on that.  Also great for working on visual perceptual skills such as matching and sequencing.
Squigz/Squigz Benders/pipSquigz-these manipulative toys by Fat Brain Toys will bring hours of fun to your little ones!  Actually, you will love playing with them as much as your kids do!  These suction cup connecting toys will stick to each other and to almost any surface.  Use them in the bathtub or on your child's high chair.  You can push them together and pull them apart to make wonderful creations to stimulate your children's imagination skills.  The kids get a real kick out of the sound that they make when they pop apart!  They are also great for working on hand strengthening, bilateral coordination and eye hand coordination. Check out the different sets available to see which is best for your little one.
Hugs Links-these well made linking toys are great for kids as young as 3 months and as old as 3 years.  What you work on while playing with them at different ages is different, but they are versatile and well made.  B.Toys created a set of 24 colorful links that click together to build a rattle for the younger ones or a chain for the older ones.  Great for developing bilateral coordination, fine motor skills and upper extremity strength.

So, here are some of my favorite manipulative toys perfect for gift giving this year.  Not only are they great for working on a ton of occupational therapy goals, they are all well built and durable toys that should withstand the wear and tear over the years.

If you have any recommendations that should be added to this list, please email me.  I love hearing from you and appreciate people sharing new toys and ideas with me.  I am just a click away and hope to hear from you!

The Big Stuff!

Here's another sneak peak to this year's holiday gift guide.  Yesterday, I focused on the small toys that you could get for kids.  Today, I am sharing some of the kid tested and occupational and physical therapy toys that I've put on this years list.  

Gross motor toys are ones that make children use the bigger muscles in their body and encourage them to walk, run or jump around their environment. I've chosen a handful of toys that will work on building trunk control/strength, upper body strength, motor coordination and endurance.  Trunk control and strength are important for developing good gross motor skills which lead to the development of good fine motor skills.   Take a look at some of my favorite big body toys.  More importantly, these are loved by the kids who play with them so they don't realize that they are actually working and exercising!  

Balance Board-there are a lot of different balance boards out there but I find that many of them are too challenging for my younger kids.  This one is great because it can be flipped over and can be made more or less challenging for children.  I find this is a great therapy tool that parents can use at home to carry over some of the things I work on at the gym such as balance, coordination and focus/attention.  I love to pair it with a fine motor activity such as a puzzle or a gross motor activity such as playing catch or something.  Kids love it and it is small enough to slip under a bed and not take up a lot of space.
OgoSport Super Sports Disk-there are several different sized disks to choose from so they can be used with children (and grownups too) of all ages.  Each set comes with two hand-trampoline disks and a koosh-like ball to bounce back and forth to your partner.  If you have more than one set, you can add more people!  The disks are super light weight because they are made of foam which makes it easy for kids to hold onto.  Can be played with indoors and outdoors.  Great for working on eye-hand coordination, social interaction, focus and attention and regulation skills.
Kick Scooter-many of my NYC families use a stroller for their older children to get to and from places faster but are wondering what they can get that will get their kids more physical.  One of the first things I recommend for them to get is the Mini Kick (for children 2-5 years of age) or the Maxi Kick scooter (5 years and older).  This light-weight scooter is easy for kids to use because of the two wheels in front and the one in back.  By leaning to one side or another, a child is able to easily steer (mostly to avoid hitting other human beings!).  Great for working on motor planning and coordination, bilateral coordination, body strength and focus and attentional skills.  For those kids who have a hard time warming up in the morning and are close enough to school, I suggest having them scoot to school to wake up the body to make the morning transitions easier.  
Zoom Ball-I remember using a Zoom Ball as a kid and loving it back then.  As a therapist, I love it even more because there is a tremendous amount of therapeutic value.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with what this is, let me describe:  there is a light-weight ball attached to two ropes with hands.  Each person grabs one side/two handles and let the play begin.  By opening and closing your arms, the ball can slide back and forth.  Go as fast or as slow as you want but see how long you can keep it going without having to take a break.  Great for working on building upper body strength, motor planning/coordination, modulation and regulation and cooperative play.  

Stomp Rocket-kids LOVE playing with stomp rockets.  After the kids place the foam rocket on a tube they jump on the launch pad and it shoots off.  This is a great toy for working on jumping, balancing on one foot and building body strength.  I love this toy because it is non-battery operated and doesn't make a ton of noise.  Kids love it because they can make something fly across a room without getting in trouble.  This is a great toy to work on with another friend...one friend can make the rocket fly and the other one can go run and try and catch the rocket and bring it back.  
Hop & Squeak Pogo Jumper-this kid-friendly pogo jumper is made out of durable foam and has a built in squeaker that squeaks every time a child jumps up and down.  The bungee cord handle has a comfortable grip for the kids to hold onto.  Great for working on improving trunk control/strength and motor planning.  Also great for providing proprioceptive input to kids which helps with improving focus and attentional skills.  Can be used indoors and outdoors and ideal for kids 3 and older. 

Do you have any wonderful toys that you think should be added to my list?  I'm always on the lookout for new toys not only for this list but also to have on hand at work.  Please feel free to email me with any questions or suggestions.  I am always a click away and love hearing from you all!

The Small Stuff

Each year, I put together a gift guide for the holidays.  I put hours and hours into this guide.  This is something that takes a a ton of research...they are occupational therapist approved and kid tested toys.  

I am almost done putting the 2014 gift guide together (there was a bit of a technological snafoo and a lot of the work I put into this year's guide was lost) but thought I would give you all a sneak peak.

Some of the hardest gifts to find are those small ones that you need to fill the stocking, advent calendar or to cover the 8 nights of Hanukkah.  These are actually some of my most favorite gifts to look for and share with people.  These gifts are the ones that kids tend to use the most because they can be thrown in a backpack when traveling, used while sitting in a doctor's office or between therapy sessions.  

Discovery Putty-it's rare for me to suggest a toy from a therapeutic catalogue so you have to understand the aweseomeness of this product for it to make the cut.  Discovery Putty is the best....THE BEST!  Kids at my gym LOVE it and don't even understand that they are working on SO many occupational therapy goals when playing with it.  I've spent my career hiding things in theraputty to work on increasing grasp strength.  Kids got bored pretty quickly with the coins I would stick in the putty.  When I found Discovery Putty things changed.  Kids love looking through the putty to find the different treats or animals hidden inside.  Rumor has it that there are two new putties coming out soon and I can't wait!  In addition to working on increasing grasp strength and fine motor skills, Discovery Putty works on improving bilateral coordination skills,
focus and attention and language skills (identifying what they have discovered in the putty). 

Crayon Stylus-this stylus is great for your little ones.  My preschool age children love using this stylus when using the iPad.  Even with my littlest of kids, I try and use a stylus whenever we use the iPad in order to practice using a proper grip on writing instruments.  Kids seem to be much less resistant when it is a fun looking stylus like this red crayon.
Retro Pen Stylus-I use the iPad a lot during my therapy sessions, especially for working on handwriting with my older kids.  I was psyched to find these mini stylus pens a few weeks ago at a local bookstore.  These pens are a perfect size for encouraging a proper grasp.  I really love that I can easily transition from working on writing letters with my kids on the iPad to paper when using this pen!

Magiclip Princess Dolls-looking for something small and magical that will be sure to make your princess loving kids happy?  Magiclip dolls are one of the most popular toys in my office.  Each doll comes with a dress that comes on and off by pinching the bottom of the dress.  There are several princesses and to choose from and all the dresses fit on all the other dolls.  Great for working on fine motor skills such as improving grasp strength, bilateral coordination and manipulation skills.  

PopToobs-PopToobs or rapper snappers, whatever you call them, they are awesome!  I have been using these since I started my career as on occupational therapist.  They are great for working on improving grasp strength, bilateral coordination and motor planning skills.  Kids love them for their bright colors and the fun sounds they make as you pull them apart and push them together.  

ZooSticks-I have been using these kid-friendly chopsticks for years and years.  Not only are they great for motivating picky eaters to eat (they love using them to pick up their food), they are great for working on increasing grasp strength and manipulation skills.  While working with kids during my sessions, I like to have them pick up small items using the chopsticks.  They especially love when I have little squishy animals for them to "rescue".  These come in a variety of animals, including sea creatures and farm animals.
Sticker Puzzles-one of my favorite finds this year, Lee Publications has a ton of different sticker puzzle books featuring your children's favorite characters.  Each book comes with 8 different puzzles and your child has to place the numbered stickers on a numbered grid to complete the picture.  Some of the puzzles have as few as 9 stickers and as many as 48 stickers so you can find one that is best for your child.  Great for learning, identifying and matching numbers as well as improving fine motor skills such as grasping and manipulation skills.  Also great for improving bilateral coordination, visual tracking/perceptual skills and focus and attention.  

Eeboo Pipe Cleaners-I was on the hunt for different colored and textured pipe cleaners for a Halloween project and found these pipe cleaners by Eeboo.  Each set comes with 36 pipe cleaners in 3 different colors and 4 different sizes.  They come in a ton of colors and my favorite thing is that each set also comes with a simple project on the back that your child can do.  Pipe cleaners are also great for working on teaching children how to string beads when they are struggling with using a flimsy string.  

Slingshot-not for the faint of heart and definitely targeted towards the older and more responsible of kids you are giving gifts to, this slingshot by Hella Slingshots are an awesome gift!  It's important to note that this is not a toy and something to be played with responsibly.  I highly recommend the felt slingshot ammo when using this beautifully made tool.  This is great for working on fine motor skills, improving eye hand coordination, visual motor and visual perceptual skills and motor planning.  It should be used while supervised for younger kids and never used as a weapon ;)!  My daughter and husband loved setting up targets and knocking them down together; I loved how they talked before doing it and making a plan to best knock down their targets. In our house, the rule is that you can only use this with toys, never towards people.

As I have already mentioned, this is just a sneak peak of what is to come in the next couple of days.  These small gifts can make a big difference in the level of happiness the kids who you will be giving gifts to this year.

I know there are hundreds of other stocking stuffer/small gifts out there I may not know about.  If you have any gifts to add to this before I share my whole list, please do share!  I am always on the lookout and count on my fellow toy lovers to share their wisdom with me.  I am just a click away and always happy to add to this list.

Buck Denver Asks . . . Why Do We Call It Christmas DVD Review and Giveaway

A couple weeks ago, I was contacted by FlyBy Promotions to review the newly released DVD called Why Do We Call It Christmas from the Buck Denver Asks ... What's in the Bible Series. This was actually one the items I wanted to purchase for my daughter as a Christmas stocking stuffer this year. I eagerly responded with a "Yes" and checked my mailbox daily until its arrival. It has truly been a blessing! One of my favorite holidays to celebrate is Christmas. Each year I try to focus my attention on adding more Christ-centered activities, crafts, movies, and stories to our day. This movie is one that is definitely at the top of our list!

One extra special bonus for reviewing this product is that they generously donated one copy of the DVD for me to giveaway on my blog. Be sure to check out my giveaway at the end of this review.

About the DVD (From the Website)

Cutting down trees? Hanging stockings? Santa Claus? What do any of these have to do with Jesus' birthday? More than you'd think! Join VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer along with intrepid newsman Buck Denver and all his friends on an amazing journey into the world's most popular holiday! Sure, you know the Christmas story. But do you know the story of Christmas? Don't miss the whimsical, educational, "Christmical" party to end all Christmas parties as Buck Denver Asks … Why Do We Call It Christmas?

Topics Addressed

• Where do we get the word Christmas?
• Why is it called Christmas?
• Why do we celebrate on December 25th? 
• When was Jesus born?
• What do Christmas trees have to do with Jesus?
• Who is St. Nicholas? 
• Who is Santa Claus? Where did he come from?
• What is Hanukkah?
• Who is Emmanuel?
• Luke 2 Story
• What are the "12 Days of Christmas?"
• And MUCH MORE

Here’s a little sneak peak of the movie. Watch the video trailer below!

My Thoughts

The creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer, and his crew have developed another fabulous and popular series for children. This 60-minute DVD utilized puppetry and animation to bring the story of Christmas to life. It captured my daughter's attention, but I would suggest breaking the movie up into smaller viewing segments for younger children. Alyssa will turn 7 this week but she's always had a long attention span. Meaningful lessons and fact-oriented topics enabled us to gain a better understanding for the holiday. I have to admit when I saw the list of topics being discussed, I didn't know all the answers to the questions. It was in my best interest to snuggle on the couch, eat some buttered popcorn, and watch the movie with my daughter. 

I was a little worried about the puppetry at first and wondered if they would distract from the message, but this was not the case. The colorful, animated puppets complimented the content with humor. The characters were witty, lovable, and curious. Alyssa couldn't get enough of the puppets and still heard the message loud and clear. Additionally, the sing-a-longs included in the show are playful with catchy tunes. 

I truly appreciated the segment explaining Santa Claus. The true story of St. Nicholas was presented and revealed how "Santa Claus" came to be today. The video was careful not to spoil any secular or Christian traditions that you have with regards to Santa Claus. Furthermore, if you discuss Christmas celebrations around the world, then the Hanukkah segment will appeal to you. A few years ago, I read the history behind the "12 Days of Christmas." I was fascinated with how Christians still followed their beliefs and shared the Word when they were told not to. This section of the video clearly stated the origins and meaning behind the 12 Days of Christmas. Scripture references are scattered throughout the journey. These verses can be memorized or used as a mini devotion with your children. You can discuss how the scripture verses apply to their life. I also loved the explanation about why we have Christmas trees. A missionary named Boniface used the tree as symbol to teach a group of pagans about CHRIST even though they believed trees were sacred.   

The family-friendly content entertained, educated, and informed us. It was a perfect balance! The movie delivers a powerful and important message about the "true" reasons why we celebrate Christmas and explains the historical origins behind the familiar traditions that we cherish while helping children make the relevant connections to the birth of Jesus. My daughter and I are learning more then I ever hoped. 

Bottom Line

Why Do We Call it Christmas is a heart-warming movie that sparked a curiosity in our hearts and minds. The confusion we had about certain traditions slowly faded away after watching this video. It made us want to learn more about our traditions and think about how they relate to the birth of Jesus. Everything seemed historically and biblically accurate as far as I could tell.  

This is a high-quality video production that will capture the attention of your children while providing answers to some often confusing questions. Don't be surprised if you find yourself engaged in the story as well, because it addresses interesting topics. 

We ENJOYED this show and know that this movie will be one we watch every year as a reminder. This production far exceeded my expectations. Personally, I would love to own the entire collection in the What's in the Bible series!    

Price

Visit the What's in the Bible Store to purchase Buck Denver Asks . . . Why Do We Call It Christmas? You won't be disappointed! This DVD retails for $14.99, but it is currently on sale for only $9.97 through 12/18/14. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to receive a FREE Sing through the Bible DVD with your order through 11/18/14 (excluding digital-only purchases). 

Additionally, all orders over $25 receive FREE standard US shipping. Sounds like the perfect time to grab this resource to share with your family this Christmas. There's also a Why Do We Call It Christmas book and other Christmas products available to purchase if desired. 

Note: Prices and deals are subject to change at any time. 

Recommendations

I DEFINITELY recommend Why Do We Call It Christmas to ALL families with children 8 and under searching for a way to explain those tough yet confusing "why" questions that are beautiful children tend to ask us around Christmas time. If you want to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas, then consider purchasing this video. Parents of Christian faith will appreciate the material presented. Consider purchasing this movie as a Christmas gift for a child or relative to enjoy. I also highly suggest that Sunday School teachers add this tool to their Children's Church Library or find a way to implement it into their Christmas study lessons. 

Other Resources

Why Do We Call It Christmas Family Discussion Guide

Coloring Pages

Christmas Popsicle Stick Theater
Other Family Activities: Ornaments and Cards

Social Media

Facebook

Twitter (#WhyDoWeCallItChristmas)
Pinterest
Google+

Be sure to visit the official website to learn more! 

Disclaimer

I received a free, complimentary copy of this product as part of FlyBy Blogger Promotions in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

GIVEAWAY TIME

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners are randomly selected using Rafflecopter.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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FlyBy Promotions Book Review and Giveaway - Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World

Reviewing the book, Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World written by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane has opened my eyes more with regards to how technology can benefit yet hinder our relationships with our children. Keep reading this review to learn more about the book and to enter the giveaway at the end. 

About the Authors

Gary Chapman is the bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. He's an author, speaker, and counselor with a passion for helping people form lasting relationships. He travels the world presenting seminars. His radio programs air on more than 400 stations. Visit 5lovelanguages.com for more information.

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and the author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife and 31 Days to a Happy Husband. She has been featured on The Today Show, The 700 Club, and Family Life Today. She served as the former associate producer for Turning Point Television with Dr. David Jeremiah. Arlene lives in Southern California with her husband and their three children. Visit ArlenePellicane.com to learn more. 

Book Description (From the Publisher)

Is technology bringing your family closer together or driving you farther apart? Children today are no longer playing hide-and-seek outside or curling up with a good book—instead they’ve been introduced to a world of constant digital entertainment through television, video games, and mobile devices. And while technology has the potential to add value to our lives and families, it can also erode a sense of togetherness and hinder a child’s emotional and social development.

In Growing Up Social, Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane will empower you with the necessary tools to make positive changes … starting today. Through stories, wit, and wisdom, you’ll discover how to take back your home from an over dependence on screens. Plus, you’ll learn to teach the five A+ skills that every healthy child needs to master: Affection, Appreciation, Anger Management, Apology, and Attention.

•Equip your child to be relationally rich in a digital world

•Replace mindless screen time with meaningful family time

•Establish simple boundaries that make a huge difference

•Discover what’s working for families that have become screen savvy

•Learn healthy ways to occupy your child while you get things done

Now is the time to equip your child to live with screen time, not for screen time. No phone, tablet, or gaming device can teach your child how to have healthy relationships—only you can.

My Thoughts
The 233-page softcover parenting book is jam-packed with information that should be read by all parents. This Christian book focuses on the social, emotional, spiritual, and mental impact that screen-time has on children.

One chapter in particular hit close to home. Chapter 13 explores Screen Time and the Single Parent. It addresses the difficulties of being a single parent and how divorce impacts the child. I am definitely paying closer attention to how we spend our time together. I've been more intentional with placing limits on my daughter's screen time which can be difficult at times because we use technology in our homeschool and as part of her chore reward system. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the detrimental side effects of having too much screen time in a single parent home which also applies to two parent homes. It mentions the struggles of getting on the same page with your co-parenting spouse while emphasizing the importance of working together to establish similar rules and screen time limits for the sake of the child.

Chapter 14 helped me put into perspective the amount of time I personally spend in front of the screen. The book also helped me realize my priorities and what I desire for my child. I don't want my daughter to think that checking e-mails, working on my blog posts and reviews, and researching on the Internet are more important than our special time together. I really sat down and started evaluating how I run things in my home after reading this chapter. We, as parents, need to model our expectations and if we sit in front of a screen all day . . . what is that telling are children. They need us to be present and attentive to their needs. I desire to eventually have a balance of family time and technological use in my home which will in the long run help my daughter develop a stronger, healthier relationship with God and build friendships with others. I don't want her to miss out on exploring the great outdoors. I want her to play as a child rather than spending hours staring at animated screens. I also want my daughter to bond and have quality time with family and not allow technological devices to fill any emotional voids. 

Another chapter that I enjoyed reading was Chapter 10 which discusses Love Languages and how pertinent it is to identify and understand your child's love language so that you can fill their love tank. My daughter's love language is Quality Time and Physical Affection. She appreciates gifts and loves affirmations, but truly wants to spend more quality time with me and be held especially now when her heart is wounded and she's dealing with so many emotions. I also want her to feel genuinely loved and to know that I care deeply. 

Other features I enjoyed in the book were the list of screen-free ways to cultivate a thankful heart, the five keys to focus on when apologizing, homework helps, the screen-safe family pledge, and scripture verses to memorize when dealing with anger issues. 

You’ll find a short quiz at the back of the book to help you evaluate and determine whether or not your child is having too much screen time and if it could be harming their development. The ages and stages of social development are also listed and categorized. Additionally, there are discussion guides with reflective questions for each chapter which can be utilized during a parent study or Bible study group. The book also contains parental resources including the online Love Languages website, a children’s book, parenting book suggestions, and a few relationship books to read.  

Bottom Line
Growing Up Social discusses relevant and meaningful issues that should be addressed in today's society. This parenting book will challenge you to take back your home. Moderation is the key and can be reached with limitations with regards to technological use. I'm all about finding a balance in life, because I see both the advantages and disadvantages of screen time.

Recommendations
These are just a few of the chapters that had a profound influence on me, but there are other chapters that we could all benefit from reading. I HIGHLY recommend Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World. It is a must read for all parents or anyone thinking about having or working with children in the future! 

How often are your children allowed to use technological gadgets or watch TV in your home? 

Price 
Amazon $12.38
Family Christian $15.99

Note: All prices are subject to change.

Social Media
Website: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/growingupsocial

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ANoYvKA1k

Disclaimer

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this information In accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

One BLESSED reader has the opportunity to win a physical copy of Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World written by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane! Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are NOT eligible to win it again. Propeller Consulting, LLC will fulfill prize requirements.

If you don't see the Rafflecopter widget, please give it time to load or click on the link to enter. Thank you so much!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will link this post up at My Fab Fit Forties, Money Saving Mom's Giveaway Galore Linky, 5 Minutes for Mom, Living Montessori Now Family Friendly Giveaways, Diana Rambles Weekly Giveaway Linky, Mama to Five Blessings: Super Saturday Giveaway Linky, Musings from a Stay At Home Mom Rafflecopter Only Giveaway Linky, Mom Saves Money Blog Giveaway, ConserveaMome Monday Giveaway LinkUp, I Choose Joy From House to Home Link Party 91, Rock-A-By-Parents Giveaway Link-Up, and Super Saturday Giveaway link at The Review Wire.