Pimsleur French Level I Language Learning Course Review

It's September! Can you believe it?! My little kindergartner Baby E is officially 'school age', though we are homeschooling for now and enjoying this fun age with our children. We got very excited when the Pimsleur French course arrived at our doorstep, excited for many reasons - learning a new language, refreshing my memory of learning it for 7 years back in school, and did I mention learning? 

I absolutely love seeing my kids' thirst for learning, their constant, insatiable need for something new. They are good at listening (no, not to me), so I thought this program would be just the thing to refresh my knowledge of French and to introduce it to almost 6 year old Baby E. For Baby T it may be a tad early, but he did listen nevertheless. Baby E is already bilingual, but I believe children only benefit from multiple languages and she demonstrated that dabbling in French is very much welcome at this point.

These days, I'm always looking for the "EASY!" button. Between running a growing photography business, homeschooling the kids, and keeping up with family and friends, I don't have any precious minutes to waste. So it was pretty exciting to listen to Pimsleur in the car with the kids, the time that often felt "wasted" as we carted from meeting with other homeschoolers, to field trips, and visiting family that all lives half hour to an hour away. 

Now that time is productive, but not in a "one more thing to do" kind of way. Pimsleur is fun and easy! It's exactly what I hoped it would be. Plus it is giving me what I've been missing all these years - practicing French. Speaking the actual language is so much more conductive to learning than just staring into a textbook! So here is a short run down of the reasons we like it:

1. So easy! Just pop in CD or transfer it to your iPod, phone, or tablet, and listen at your leisure during convenient times. 
2. You control the pace. You can repeat again and again if you need to or you can move on. You can refresh or you can have different members of your family at different levels. 
3. Lots of speaking. I think one of the pitfalls of learning a language in school is that you simply do not use it and speak it enough. Yes, you may learn grammar, reading, writing, but it all makes little sense if you aren't speaking it. Just like children learn by listening and speaking, this program mimics the natural way of learning. 
4. Affordable. I've seen many programs that are simply out of reach financially, but comprehensive course for just over $100 is a much better price and I believe a better return on your investment. 
5. Perfect for the whole family! It's great for my 5 year old and for myself, anyone can learn French with this program. 

This is just a short list of what we love most about this program. Also, I found it works especially well for my 5 year old because it gives immediate results, she loves the instant gratification of being able to say something in a new language!

I have to say I also really loved the packaging of the Pimsleur French I course, although it's not really something important. I appreciate everything being organized and the case is very handy for the learning collection of CDs. It's something that we will be using a lot and hopefully once we are done with level one, we can move on to French II! The Pimsleur French I language learning course is available for purchase on Amazon. If you're looking to start a foreign language in your homeschool this year, I highly recommend this program!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. May contain affiliate links to where we love to shop - your purchase helps offset the time and energy we pour into this blog at no cost to you.

How I've Learned to Embrace Technology for My Kids

You've probably read or at least noticed the Huffington Post article "10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12". Unless you live under a rock, like me. I only noticed it days later and only because it came up in my Facebook feed. 

As I read it I had to both nod in agreement and cringe in disagreement. I don't want to offer up some one-sided "science" studies here or make lofty arguments. My response comes from a place of personal experience and my favorite - common sense. You often see me referring to common sense here on Eco-Babyz, it's like a lost art, seriously. 

I've had my first computer at age 12 or 13, a monstrosity that took up an entire corner desk. I actually still have my first email address, though I seldom check it anymore. Like many of you I've lived through the technology boom. I was fortunate, however, to have a fairly tech-free childhood for the first 12 years. We had television and I even had a Nintendo back in Russia and played Mario! But I only remember using it during the long Russian winters, my spring, fall, and summer were spent outdoors. 

As I prepared to become a parent and then we welcomed our first child, Baby E, I had a phobia of mixing kids and technology. We also experienced first hand that too much TV time changed our toddler for the worst and our TV free experiment yielded tons of benefits. Yes, I wrote about childhood TV addiction as well. 

It is sad to me that right now, for many children around the country, television replaces interaction with parents, siblings, and the world. They wake up with it, go to bed with it, eat in front of it, watch it while mom makes dinner, takes a shower, cleans the house, it is their babysitter, pacifier, time occupier, and outdoors replacement. Of course no one argues that something like that could be healthy or good for a child's development. You don't need a study to know that, it's common sense.

So here is why we embrace interactive technology offered by handheld devices (not just passive screen time) and use common sense to manage it....

21st Century! Technology skills in the age we live in are an absolute necessity. There is no going back, as much as we would want to dream about carefree, technology free days. The secret is using this technology to our benefit, not detriment. While I don't think toddlers under two benefit from this technology in any way, I also don't think that brief exploration of a handheld device by a three year old with a solid 'real world' learning foundation will fry his brains. Technology is advancing at a pace we can't keep up with, I think it benefits our children to learn to use it wisely, to be flexible and adaptable to change.

Learning and Critical Thinking. While I firmly believe that the foundation of how our children learn should be real-world play, I've witnessed with my first child that after a certain age a handheld device benefits and enhances learning in addition to plenty of unstructured play and outdoor time. Could they do without it? Absolutely, people have for nearly all of time anyway! I've seen very young children daily tethered to handheld devices for their short life, you don't have to look hard to see that they are underdeveloped by the age of 3 than peers who get to play freely in the real world and receive interaction with people that aids in the formation of their brain and language skills. But for older children who have already grasped more of reality vs. make believe, who have a developed vocabulary, brief use of handheld devices actually helps with critical thinking, development, and creativity. It's a great source of inspiration beyond what we are daily surrounded with.

Pursuing Passions. Since we are homeschooling in this technologically advanced age, it allows my children and I to learn so much about subjects we are passionate about. Hey, I wouldn't be where I am today with photography if it wasn't for the learning opportunities through technology! While we don't always use a handheld device for this, sometimes we do. It may mean taking a photo of an insect with the iPod so that we can later look up what it is. It may mean watching a video about volcanoes when my daughter asks what an eruption looks like. It may mean watching a how-to video together when my 5 year old tells me she wants to learn to embroider. Sometimes it may just be my 2.5 year old watching the hayride video we filmed over and over and over again because he is a little obsessed with tractors! As they get older, this technology puts the world at their fingertips, there is no limit to what they can learn and how it can help them discover their passion in this life.

Keeping in Touch. Boy do we know this first hand. Now that daddy is temporarily away for three weeks at a time for work - handheld devices are a lifeline! It is the obvious way to keep hubby and wife, daddy and kids connected. I have no smart phone, but my iPod and regular cell phone are the primary way the kids keep in touch with dad. Not to mention we also have family and friends all over the world, technology enables us to keep connected in between the times we see each other in person. As we homeschool, I still want the kids to send snail mail and write letters for practice, I think that's important, but technology isn't going anywhere!

Unconventional Income Sources. I am a testament to the fact that technology has created ways of earning income in ways that were never possible before. It is a huge resource for entrepreneurs like myself. I run two online-only businesses from home and have never met the hundreds of contacts I've built through the internet. This enables me to stay home with our kids and still contribute to our family's income! You would think, yes, that's great for moms. But I say it's great for everyone. Because we are raising children with family values and together-time really high on the priority list, I know that as they get older and start their own families - like us they will wish they had ways to generate income and spend more time with family. Being technologically savvy will only help them in entrepreneurial endeavors.

Learning moderation. This is how children think. "I want it all and I want it now". At least my kids think this way! Giving them access to handheld devices and teaching them (hopefully by example) that it isn't always the proper time to use them, teaches them moderation. They will eventually learn that just because they can, doesn't mean they should. Just like with candy, banning it will only make it worse, they'll binge at every opportunity. They need to learn to control themselves and as parents we are here to help them do this. Does this mean that after a week of demonstrating moderation and teaching them, they will suddenly know how much is too much? No. It's an ongoing process and it's great for the parent to continue both showing and gently teaching moderation throughout their growing years. For example, it may mean there are no handheld devices allowed at meal time, when spending time together as a family, and when at the store checkout. It may mean they never witness you text or browse while you're driving, they need to know the boundaries.

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Once again, let me reiterate that common sense and leading by example are essential to healthy tech use and freedom from technological addiction! Yes, my kids see that I get a lot of work done sitting at the computer, they know what Facebook is, sort of - but it is balanced by seeing me cooking meals from scratch, taking them outdoors every day when the weather allows, spending time with family and visiting friends, traveling to photo sessions to pursue my passion of photography, and being a part of our community along with them. 

What are your views and experiences on technology and kids?

10 Unique Books My Kids Love

I've always loved books as a child and want to pass on that love to my children. I remember like yesterday, sitting in a chair and getting lost in reading a fable or story, at the mercy of my own imagination. I sure hope reading books is not becoming a lost art among future generations. I know I'm not the only parent reading to my children every night before bed time. 

Baby E and Baby T most likely could care less what I read to them, but they never fail to get excited about a new book or story! Our library card gets used a lot. I used to choose books for them based on my taste and now that they are older we are also choosing them based on their interests at any particular moment. Excavators. Victorian dress. Horses. Biblical times. Travel and geography. Cultures around the world.

Our home library is filled with Russian books, since it's something we can't grab at the library. Baby E is now fluent in Russian and English. Not sure how we managed that - it just happened organically, we always speak Russian at home as it is our native language and she speaks English with some of her cousins, kids at the playground, and adults we meet throughout the day. We love to read in both languages and to my delight she can translate back and forth with ease! 

There are many books in English that they love, though Baby T cares for the images and pictures only at his tender age of two. Over the past couple of years there are a few books we came across that impressed us to the extent I would consider adding them to our permanent library. Books that inspire, captivate, many of them beautifully illustrated. Here they are in no particular order, and I hope your children enjoy them as much as we do! 

1. "Journey" by Aaron Becker:  My kids love this book! It is perhaps one of both their and my personal favorite ones from this list. If you borrow a book from the library or buy just one from this list - make it this one. It's a very simple story that indeed needs no words - the illustrations tell everything. We just love the way it stirs the imagination! *Warning: there is a little boy who draws on the wall in this book.

2. "Building Our House" by Jonathan Bean: Kids always want to know how something is made. Have they ever asked you how a house is built? This was the perfectly illustrated story to answer just that. It may not be how a house is built in every country, but for much of U.S. this story will hold true. It a great read if you are embarking on the adventure of building your own home with your family!

3. "Wow! Ocean!"  by Robert Neubecker: Less about the story, more about the illustrations. It's a great learning tool about ocean life and has all the names of dozens of sea creatures that your kids are fascinated with. I learned a thing or two myself! Bonus, they loved looking for the little dog on every page - sort of like Waldo.

4. "King Midas and the Golden Touch" by Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Y. Craft: My daughter loves reading about kings, palaces, princesses (not the Disney kind though). She really enjoyed this story and it has a great lesson to teach the children - that the love of money and possessions does not make one happy. The illustrations are beautiful, they are like elaborate paintings.  

5. "Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken" by Kate DiCamillo and Harry Bliss: An adventure loving chicken? Brilliant! My kids loved hearing about her travels and wanted to read it again and again. The illustrations are fun!

6. "Sailing Off to Sleep" by Linda Ashman and Susan Winter: A great bed time book for any age with a little adventure, wildlife, and love. It's great both for my 2 year old and my 5 year old, a perfect book to read with both of them. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are beautiful and very cozy.

7. "The Sea Chest" by Toni Buzzeo and Mary GrandPré: We all absolutely loved this story! There is suspense in it, compassion, and lots of love, all accompanied by beautiful oil painting illustrations. It's a coastal legend from the shores of Maine, a great read for kindergarten and elementary age children (but even my 2 year old enjoyed it, though he may not understand it all).

8. "Castles, Caves, and Honeycombs" by Linda Ashman and Lauren Stringer: Do your kids ask you where a beaver lives, a snail, or maybe a butterfly? These beautiful illustrations with short phrases and rhymes show the different homes and habitats of various creatures.

9. "Bub: Or the Very Best Thing" by Natalie Babbitt: My daughter loves the setting of the book, I love the story, and my toddler can relate to the little boy in it. The King and Queen try to figure out, what is it that a child needs most? The answer is simple and right on, we always get and give lots of hugs and kisses at the end of this book!

10. "Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose" by Scott Gustafson: This is a book we actually have on our shelves and the only one on this list that we didn't discover at the library, it was a gift from a friend that has since moved to far away lands overseas. Beautiful illustrations accompanied by nursery rhymes as old as time, all in a large format book.

What are your and your kids' favorite books?! We'd love to discover more! 

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3 Ways to Prepare Your Child for LIFE

As I watched my five year old daughter sleep this morning, I was overwhelmed with the momentous task of having to prepare her for this world. I know she is sheltered and safe here. I remembered all of my experiences over the thirty years I've lived on this earth, and suddenly I realized she will soon be living a life of her own.

I reflected on what has shaped me and helped me achieve success in life and everything pointed to three basic foundations that guided my choices through my teenage years and as an adult. It can be a scary thought to have to let go of your children, but if you instill these basic principles in their childhood years, they'll be okay! Hey, my mom is not the perfect parent either. The little things won't matter so much, but it's these things that will guide them. 

Give Them a Moral Compass

It may be popular to just let your kids try everything. But you would be doing them a great disservice if you don't teach them right from wrong. Wise from foolish. People without a concrete moral compass end up with drug overdoses, alcohol addiction, teenage pregnancies, and other life-sucking moments. Incidentally, while my parents taught me basic morals, they were not the ones that provided me with a moral compass. It's something that I thankfully acquired when we moved to the U.S. and I started regularly attending a Christian congregation. Was it a group of perfect saints that got together every Sunday? No. They were real people with real struggles. But I thank God that through them and the Bible He has created a solid moral compass in my life. Sorry if I'm getting too religious for you, but this is the number one reason that's kept me from making stupid mistakes in my life. 

As a teenager I wasn't sheltered. My parents let me have my own experiences. I've been in many situations where I was one step away from making great mistakes that would have prevented me from being where I am today. If it wasn't for that moral compass - I would likely not be here today, or I'd be enduring a pretty dismal existence. 

Invest in THEM, Not Their College Fund

College tuition is a joke. Paying for an education so that you can spend the rest of your life paying off your loans makes little sense. Hey, I'm still paying mine. My education did not make me a happier or a more successful person. I'm not even using my degree at the moment. But I am really thankful my parents invested in my passions and my childhood. I now realize those piano lessons, art lessons, camps, and mentorships were really priceless. They could not afford paying for my college tuition, I've had to rely on financial aid, scholarships, and loans. Only now I realize college wasn't a necessity as everyone made it seem.

Yes, college can be necessary depending on your chosen profession. For some people it may be a worthwhile investment. In this day and age however, with ever changing technology and world circumstances, there is more wisdom in investing in your child now - not when they are 18. It's too late then. Look carefully at what they are passionate about, what do they love to do? Invest in developing their talents and giving them an opportunity to explore new ones. I was inspired by these parents. 

Invest in music and art, things that may be less tangible but have a profound impact on the creativity and resilience of your growing child. Invest in relationships that will last beyond their schooling years. It's not a secret that positive relationships enhance our lives in many ways. 

It's also so important to let your children see the world! Yes, travel is expensive, but it will be a far better investment than college. They need to see how other people live. They need to be aware of the history of countries, empires, and fallen civilizations. History and culture teaches us so many intangible things. I would definitely not be the person I am today if I didn't have the travel experiences of my teenage years. So thankful my parents spent money on that and thankful to the people that sponsored me on missionary trips, they were truly life changing. 

Love Unconditionally

Last but not least, love them no matter what. It's easier to do now. They spill milk, you love them anyway. They draw with permanent marker on the wall, you love them anyway. It will get a little harder when they are older. They crash your car, you love them anyway. They come home smelling of cigarettes, you love them anyway. Your love will make them feel guiltier than any punishment. It's much harder for your kids to upset someone who loves them than someone who constantly nags, yells, or generally annoys them. 

I didn't give my parents much trouble. Yes there were some instances. I truly believe one of the reasons I was an 'easy child' is because I always felt their unconditional love for me. However I know people, friends, family, that did not have that type of relationship with their parents and thus it caused much heartache for everyone involved. Even now as adults it haunts them that they aren't loved for one reason or another. 

Love does not equal always giving them what they want. It's showing them that our relationship is more important than having things we may desire. 

Fill your children's lives with unconditional love and they'll turn out alright. 

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What tips do you have for preparing your child for life?

Homeschool Giveaway {10 winners, $600+ prizes!}

Do you homeschool? If you do, you'll love today's giveaway! Looking for resources, encouragement, and training for next school year? This giveaway has some great resources to get you started. We're giving away $600 in prizes.

As you know, we are homeschooling our kids and we absolutely love it! It can be hard and it requires a lot of creativity and time on my part, but it is all worth it in the end and we love having our schooling revolve around real life.

8 Winners Will Get...

• A live stream pass to the Family Discipleship and Homeschooling Conference (worth $29.95)
• Two year-long handwriting workbooks—print and cursive—that help kids memorize a long text of Scripture, and a 30-day family Bible study that delves deeply into that same passage (worth $17.50)

2 Grand Prize Winners Will Get...

• All the prizes mentioned above
• A year-long subscription to Lessontrek's lesson planning app (worth $60).

Prizes.

One-year subscription of Lessontrek's lesson planning app (2 Winners)

Sponsor: Lessontrek

Lessontrek is a better and modern web application for online lesson planning for the homeschool, private, and public school teacher. Lessontrek helps parents create lesson plans quickly and easily. In just a few minutes you can setup your school year and subjects, create lessons and assignments, record grades, and more. Their handy drag-and-drop system makes reordering lessons easy.

"I like how you can organize the subjects, set up the school based on whenever you start and take breaks. I also like how easy it is to use and create the subjects, assignments and color code everything." - Gretchen (Colorado)

Lesson trek is giving two Grand Prize winners a year subscription ($60 value for each). .

Livestream Pass to the 2014 Family Discipleship and Homeschool Conference (10 Winners)

Sponsor: Christian Heritage

 

 Live stream Ken Ham to your living room! Enter to win a Live Stream Pass to 2014. Family Discipleship & Homeschooling Conference. 10 WINNERS! Watch the preview video at http://bit.ly/1hea4QB From the comfort of your own home, join thousands of other homeschoolers for two full days of hope, encouragement and inspiration. The live stream of the 2014 Family Discipleship and Homeschooling Conference will present something for every member of your family:

• Fathers will be called to loving, servant leadership and faithful discipleship in the home by looking to their heavenly Father for the perfect example of fatherhood they never had.
• Mothers will be encouraged with a fresh perspective on the big-picture “why” behind the daily routine of motherhood, as well as practical tips for keeping the “homeschool routine” from turning into the “homeschooling rat-race.”
• Young adults and children will be prepared to engage the culture for Christ with a biblical view of history, science and defending the faith.

Through the lineup of dynamic speakers and practical sessions, you will be equipped to fulfill your great calling in life: making disciples of Jesus Christ – one child at a time.

One-year handwriting curriculum and accompanying family Bible study (10 Winners)

Sponsor: Intoxicated On Life

This bundle of resources is aimed at helping kids memorize and understand a longer text of Scripture—in this case, Philippians 2:1-18, the Apostle Paul's great hymn to Christ celebrating his incarnation, death, and exaltation. The bundle comes with two handwriting workbooks—print and cursive—which provide a year's worth of handwriting practice, vocabulary words, and dictation practice. The bundle also comes with a 30-day family Bible study and Scripture memory cards. All of these resources are centered on Philippians 2.

Intoxicated On Life is giving 10 winners this family bundle, each one priced at $17.50.

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Enter the giveaway below!

Giveaway runs from April 10 to 19. Enter below and don’t forget to share this great opportunity with your friends!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post. 

Kid Friendly Museums In and Around Boston

With the chilly temperatures and the whole winter ahead of us, I'm always looking for ideas on fun things to do with kids. They took the plunge the other day and dug forts in the snow with grandma, but that's not going to happen every day. For the record, it took half an hour to outfit them in snow-proof gear! Today I ventured out with them myself and it was definitely fun!

Whether you live in the Boston area or you're traveling here, there are many museums in this cultural hub that cater to families - whether it's a place specifically designed for children or an 'adult' museum with great kids programs. Here are some of our favorites, both popular and from a path less traveled. We hope you'll find this list helpful! 

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Boston Children's Museum: The ultimate kids museum for an all-day adventure. To avoid crowds, weekday mornings are great - we like the more peaceful atmosphere and lots of breathing room. So much to do here for kids of all ages and interests. (Boston; adults $14, kids 1-15 $14, kids under 1 free; Fridays 5 to 9 pm - $1 admission)

Museum of Science: Fun for all kids but especially for the 5 and up age, lots of learning and hands on activities, as well as an Omni theater and the Charles Hayden Planetarium. Explore the human body, wildlife, math, science, marine biology, and so much more... (Boston; adults $23, kids 3-11 $20, Seniors $21, kids under 3 free)

Museum of Fine Arts: Although it is an art lover's paradise, it's not off limits to kids! Check out their special kids and family programs. You know your child best, the museum and exhibit artwork cannot be touched and there is no running allowed - so it may not be for everyone. (Boston; adults $25, kids 7-17 FREE after 3 pm, weekends, and Boston public school holidays, otherwise $10, Seniors $23, kids under 6 always free)

Harvard Museum of Natural History: Dinosaurs, meteorites, gemstones, and animals from around the globe may be just the thing for some older children who are curious about these subjects. There is also a variety of kids programs and events available. (Cambridge; adults $12, kids 3-18 $8, Seniors $10, kids under 3 free)

Peabody Essex Museum: PEM has a variety of kid-friendly initiatives and always comes up with new activities for kids. Drop-in art making on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3 pm is included in admission. (Salem; adults $18, Seniors $15, kids and youth 16 and under free)

Amelia Park Children's Museum: A children's museum in western Massachusetts that's worth a visit. Building, art and crafts, indoor play space, pretend play at the doctor and bank, definitely lots to explore. (Westfield; adults $7, kids 1 and older $7, Seniors 60+ $3.50, kids under 1 free)

American Textile History Museum: Spinning, weaving, recycling, and designing - it's so much more than just a textile history museum. Past exhibitions include explorations of bridal dress history, space suits, kites, and 1930s fashions - always something new to explore. (Lowell; adults $8, kids 6-16 and older $6, Seniors 65+ $6, kids under 6 free, adult admission coupon available online, see free events)

Paul Revere House: It is fascinating for children to see how people used to live back in time. The restored Paul Revere dwelling is downtown Boston's oldest building dating back to about 1680 and offers a fascinating look into life in colonial New England. (Boston; adults $3.50, kids 5-17 $1, Seniors and college students $3)

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire: While not technically in Massachusetts, but a very accessible location for those living in the north part of the state. A ton of hands-on fun exploring flight, paleontology, building and problem solving, music and sound, and pretend play, among other things. (Dover, NH; adults and children over 1 $9, seniors 65+ $8, kids under 1 free)

Children's Museum at Holyoke: Another fun museum option where children can run around and touch anything they want! Imaginative play, climbing structures, water play, a TV studio, ambulance, fork lift, and grocery store are just a few of the things to entertain your littles. (Holyoke; adults and children over 1 $7, seniors 65+ $3.50, kids under 1 free)

Battleship Cove Naval Ship Museum: Boys and girls alike will love this amazing museum with memorabilia, exhibits, and a real naval ship to explore! It's great to visit both in the winter and the summer. (Fall River; adults $17, kids 6-12 $10.50, kids under 6 free)

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A lot of these museums also offer birthday party packages, so if you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary way to celebrate your child's birthday (hassle free for you), it's worth checking out.

We've visited most of these, but there a few are definitely on our list of places to check out this winter. While we love to be home, cooking, baking, playing indoors - we all need a change of pace sometimes. If you're local, find out if your public library provides free passes or discounts to these museums - we almost never pay full price!

Know a place in Massachusetts that we haven't mentioned and you love? Please share below!

Technology | Parenting Tool or Crutch?

Parenting is tough when you have ideals. Maybe a little easier when you don't. What do I mean? Before I had children I had my own ideal of how much screen time, if any, children should have. Every parent-to-be usually has some sort of opinion on that. No screen time, occasional screen time, a certain number of hours per week, no limits...

I always thought technology is a parenting crutch. Actually, I still do. But I've also come to embrace the other side of it - technology can be a helpful tool. It's a crutch when I use it to keep them busy while I need to get something done, because it's easier than coming up with some activity for them and keeps them more quiet. I use it as a tool when my preschooler watches a video about astronauts because she was so curious about outer space and wanted to see what it looks like. 

Truth is, we use technology daily both as a crutch and as a tool. But how we balance it can make a huge difference. I don't know about you, but I immediately notice a difference in my children, their attention span, and their irritability, on the days when I use technology mostly as a crutch. They become easily distracted, impatient, moody. On the other hand, when we use technology to learn, educate, or inspire - it is a positive experience all around. It is used with a different purpose and it's evident in how the children react to it. 

I believe kids need regular breaks from all technology. 

They need to be involved in real life, not just virtual. 

They need to bake with us. 

They need playgrounds. 

They need walks outside, days at the beach, library trips, social gatherings with friends, road trips, and hands-on learning. 

They need to create with their hands, it fuels their imagination. 

In fact, we all need a break, not just our children. We need to get lost in a book. We need fresh air in our lungs. We need to embrace all the experiences that make us human and not robots. We can be models to our children on wise technology use. It's great for connecting with friends and family, it's great for learning, it is often used for work, but we should be master over technology and not the other way around. 

When technology is used to fill the voids in our life, it is definitely a crutch. Instead of working to resolve our problems, we turn to social media for a constant this-just-happened fix of news from friends, family, and strangers. In turn it may even make our problems worse and contribute to depression when we start comparing ourselves to everyone else. It's so important to demonstrate to our own kids that there is a lot more to life than pop culture portrays. 

In fact, I'm convinced that a child deprived of technology has an advantage over a child that has technology but is deprived of more important things like personal and meaningful interaction, free play, and ample time outdoors!

How do you use technology in your family? Do you struggle with balancing technology as a crutch and a tool? 

Has your stance on screen time changed since you became a parent? 

Teaching Enjoyment

I learned something in public school and college, I learned it well. I learned to do things just to get them done. 

Now it is taking me years to learn how to do things to enjoy them. This is just one of many reasons we are homeschooling our kids. We want to convey early on that life isn't about the rat race and it isn't about getting a job to pay bills. That it isn't about getting a passing grade. That it isn't about settling for mediocre. It's not about knowing a little of every subject on earth and in turn being great at nothing. 

What happened to passion? To mastering something you were born to do?

Comply, obey, follow. Learn the answers and don't question them. That's what I was taught in school. That's how we conveniently create a work force of 9 to 5ers who complete monotonous assigned tasks, to get a steady paycheck at the mercy of a boss, to pay for a house that you practically only sleep in. Vicious cycle.

Why not invent? Imagine, create, lead? What if people earned a living doing something they love? What if everyone did what they were born to do, with passion, making their own lives and that of others better?

Public school never helped me discover my passions. It crammed my time with tasks and tidbits of information that wasn't useful in real life so that I ultimately wouldn't find what I'm truly passionate about. At the least, it robbed me of the time I needed to practice what I was passionate about.

So how did I find my passion? My parents were the first and foremost key. My mother in particular because she stayed home with my sister and I. She taught me something school never could and that's to do what you love and love what you do. So yes, it's possible to find your passion despite a hectic public school schedule. But at what price? Your passions will get crowded out by busy work, homework, and useless facts.

We love that homeschooling affords us this incredible opportunity to give our kids the tools they need to discover what they are passionate about. To open the world before them as their classroom, not just a building. Offering friendships with people of all ages and walks of life, not just a few dozen kids of the same age. To provide real life experiences that teach things a textbook can never teach.  

Let's teach our kids to savor life, for it can be short. To enjoy what they do now, because tomorrow may not come. To find their passion, because life is too short to settle for mediocre.

Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home Software Review

I never had the intention of teaching my child to read at 4 years old. I think kids learn best when they are ready and they need more time to just play and be kids. If you know me, you know that I like to let them have ample free play time. Even though it wasn't planned or expected of her, my 4 year old Baby E just happened to be ready to learn to read and we so happened to test the new Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home k-3 software program that she was eager to try out after we tried the Discovery Instructor Materials, the hard copy version of the software we tested. She did this only when she wanted to and we never pushed her. She happens to be the kind of kid that really likes to do everything herself and doesn't like being pushed, we are all happier when she learns at her own pace and that's why homeschooling is working so well for us in these early years!

Ease of Use: We really love the Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home Software for the fact that it is easy for everyone involved. It pairs really well with the Discovery instructor materials, which are great if you prefer to not spend too much time on the computer. Since I run two businesses from home, I need something that requires little to no planning from me and that Baby E can take ownership of. The Discovery At-Home Software does exactly that! It enables both of us to work next to each other and I'm available to answer all her questions while she is completing a lesson (usually during Baby T's nap time). During this time I usually choose to answer my clients' emails so that I am not too absorbed into my tasks and I keep an eye on her progress.

At just 4 years old, she quickly learned how to use the software on her own. Yep, kids these days - they are so technologically savvy. I just type in the URL for her and she can type her name and login herself. We love the interface layout that makes it really easy to navigate. There is a 'home base' that the child always comes back to which is called the Club House (top image). From there, the child can navigate either toward a lesson, vocabulary, or games. I love being able to log into the control panel and see all of her statistics for lessons, to control how many games I want to allow per week, and other details.

The biggest motivation for Baby E was the coins that one accumulates each time one completes a lesson. She would check it obsessively after each lesson and got so excited when the sacks and treasure chests of coins started accumulating. Bonus, she is also learning numbers while we're at it!

We are also big fans of the games which are clearly not just an afterthought, but they reinforce what the child is learning in a fun way. I really like that there is only a limited number of times one can play each day - since we all know kids aren't very good at self control!

(above: the games menu screen)

Support: We love that Reading Horizons provides an amazing support system for all customers. They help the parent understand how Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home works to implement it successfully. They have you covered with a free support system of parent training, webinars, and online reading assessments. You can also connect with them on their Facebook page. I've attended a webinar and it was extremely helpful in getting us started with this program, it's a must for any parent wishing to help their child learn to read fluently and independently. Their newsletters are always full of relevant information about teaching, learning, and the program itself. You can also check out their free E-Book, Help Your Child Become a Successful Reader. 

(above: Baby E's favorite game, Card Match)

(Our home office set up with our laptop for the software)

Results: In our experience, the software worked better for my daughter than the hard copy materials because it was easier to use for both of us. Since we are bilingual, I try to separate days when we study English and when we focus on Russian. Something really amazing happened after doing the lessons regularly for several weeks on 'English days', without my input Baby E had translated the concepts she learned into reading by syllables in Russian! I was so surprised, I knew that she knew Russian letters, but I haven't yet taught her to read. She basically taught herself after being presented the resources in the Reading Horizons Discovery program. She is now reading two and three syllable words in Russian, with little to no help from me. With that in mind, I think this software would work great for English language learners from other countries. I wish I had access to this when I came to the States at the age of 11, knowing just a handful of English words!

It is harder for her to read in English, but she is progressively getting there at her own pace. I think the key to literacy and to fostering the love of reading, is not to push them if they are resisting - it simply means they are not ready. You will know when they are ready and eager. I just love that the systematic phonetic approach transcends language barriers and makes sense in the little mind of a four year old. I can imagine this would be even more effective with 6-8 year olds native English speakers who have a greater capacity for understanding the presented material. 

Value: While the hard copy Discovery At-Home materials cost $299, the software is only $199. The best thing is that they have a 60 day money back guarantee. If you try the program and you feel that it isn't working for your child, you get your money back! Here is what's included with the software: 

• Online access to the full version of Discovery Online software for one year (renewal price for an additional year is $50/year)
• 63 interactive lessons teach students the 42 Sounds of the Alphabet, Five Phonetic Skills, and Two Decoding Skills.
• 22 Most Common Words lessons give practice with high-frequency words that are included in 65 percent of our daily reading and writing (e.g., the, it, a, and).
• 13 Reference Lessons aligned to requirements of the Common Core State Standards
• Built-in assessments ensure proficiency after each lesson, chapter, and comprehension exercise.
• The Vocabulary Word Wall allows students to practice decoding skills while building their vocabularies.
• 64 colorful and age-appropriate stories help students transfer decoding skills to connected text.
• Six fun and engaging games can be accessed with the coins students earn in the lessons, vocabulary section, and reading passages.
• The Administration System allows parents to review assessment data, generate customizable reports, set student options, and receive notifications about student progress.

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Disclaimer: I did not receive payment for this post. I was provided a sample of the product for review purposes. All opinions are genuine and my own. May contain affiliate links that support Eco-Babyz at no additional cost to you, thank you!

Reading Horizons Discovery Review and Giveaway {11 winners, over $2,400 in prizes!}

Today my first born turned 4! I can hardly believe it! It seems like she was born just a few months ago. Now she is ready to be learning to read and write. Soon our homeschooling will look a little more 'official' with some sit-down, hands on learning in addition to our 'learning through play' approach. To aid in that, we were very fortunate to be one of several homeschooling bloggers to test the new Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home k-3 program (as well as the original Reading Horizons Intensive Phonics that we gave away back in August).

Reading Horizons is a program that until now, has mostly been used in institutional settings to teach larger groups of children to read. It is especially designed to help those that struggle with reading, such as dyslexic learners. This season they are launching the new Discovery At-Home program for parents to use with their children either for homeschooling or as a supplement for struggling readers who need a little more help than  school can offer them. We will tell you how Reading Horizons works as a superior reading program and why it may be something to consider for your child.

Ease of Use: Since we are new to homeschooling and teaching reading, I do not have much to compare to when it comes to reading programs. But I have to say that with Reading Horizons I have pretty high standards now that I'm not sure other programs would be able to live up to!

As a mom of two with an active 14 month old, I need a program that I can sit down with alongside my toddler without any prep time and jump right in. This is something that we were able to do with Discovery At-Home, after just a couple of first lessons testing the waters, I already knew my way around the material. The color coded instruction manuals, transfer cards, and books are like a map that makes it easier to find your way around. 

There is another aspect to Discovery At-Home that I really appreciate, that's the absence of distractions. I have seen and skimmed through many other reading programs both online and in print. I was turned off by the screaming colorful pictures, animated letters, and generally a lot of fluff. Reading Horizons is different because at it's core, it is a very strong and solid program built upon the Orton-Gillingham approach. In short, it encompasses the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic teaching/learning styles yielding a well-rounded that will pretty much work for any child. I love that it is simple, visually appealing, but not in a fun-for-toddlers kind of way. It can be used with an illiterate adult just as well as with a child.

Support: Here is another thing we love about Reading Horizons - you have an amazing support system behind you. First of all, it's important for the parent to understand how Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home works to implement it successfully. They have you covered with a free support system of parent training, webinars, and online reading assessments. Their Facebook page is another great tool to connect you with the company. They also provide an online resource center for you to use to schedule lessons and track progress. I've attended a webinar and it was extremely helpful in getting us started with this program, it's a must for any parent wishing to help their child learn to read fluently and independently. I also enjoy their newsletters, they are always full of relevant information about teaching, learning, and the program itself. You can also check out their free E-Book, Help Your Child Become a Successful Reader. 

Results: My 4 year old is bilingual, fluent in Russian and knowing her way around English pretty well. It is important for us to help her preserve our native language. We have been finding our way through Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home a little more slowly than the average learner would be. She also just turned four (today!), so we are not in a rush to teach her to read and want it to come at a time when she is really ready and eager. We love that we can complete lessons at our own pace, for us that's the beauty of homeschooling. 

What really surprised me is that how little instruction time she needs to really grasp a concept with Discovery At-Home. We make the most progress when she requests 'learning to read' herself, not when I tell her we have to. When you invest just a little bit of one-on-one time with your children, the results can be amazing. She is a long way away from reading on her own, but it brings a smile to my face when she can read some words - and not just because she memorizes how they look, even when you move them around and ask her to place the right letter on the end of the word to complete it - it just works. Discovery At-Home really dissects reading into bite size pieces that are small enough for little learners to digest. I'm really looking forward to continuing with this program over the next year to see where it takes us. 

Value: The package we received, Discovery Instructor Materials, retails for $299. The online interactive software (that we haven't tried yet) is $199. A bundle of both would be $439. There is also a 3 time payment plan option for the online software for $66.34 x 3. The Kindergarten Little Books (that we received) are $29.99, and the grades 1 through 3 Little Books are $159.99. You can do without the Little Books, but they are my daughter's favorite part actually, because she gets to see what she learned in action when we read together. 

The Reading Horizons Discovery At-Home pricing may seem a little steep, and I do think it is. It is comparable to their school use program. But you have to consider that this program a) really works, just read the testimonials, b) it is non-consumable, so it can be used with all of your children, c) it is an all-in-one program that takes care of grammar, spelling, handwriting, and phonics - essentially a complete four year language arts program. You are getting a lot for your money, as you can see.

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One of you will win the Discovery Software and Material Instructor Bundle valued at $439 and 10 of you will win the Discovery Online Software valued at $199 each! That's $2,429 in prizes!

If you're lost with Rafflecopter or don't know how to use it, check out this 45 second Rafflecopter video, it's simple!

If you like our posts and giveaways, please click to vote for us on Top Baby Blogs and Picket Fence when you have a chance!

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Disclaimer: I did not receive payment for this post. I was provided a sample of the product for review purposes. All opinions are genuine and my own. 

Cultivating Their Inner World

How often do you hear "I am bored" from your child? I often wonder if this phrase is the result of a lie we have been fed - a parenting lie. You know the one - you must take them fun places, you should entertain them, socialize them, fill their day with activities, etc.

I ponder about the things I've mentioned above and you know what - these things do not seem to evoke a sense of wonder. They just keep them busy. That's not my goal as a parent and it one of the reasons I don't jump at every opportunity to get out of the house with the kids. 

You know what, it is working so far - this selective approach to the activities we engage in. Most almost 4 year olds may be bored with the things that Baby E adores, it is so easy to make her happy. 

Perhaps I don't want them to become part of the pack, to be like everyone else, to 'blend in' - I want them to be themselves and to discover who they really are meant to be.

Perhaps it is good for kids to be left to themselves at times, to invent, to make-believe? What if we don't leave them any time to do that? What if all they know is school, clubs, activities, classes, parties, 'organized activities', lots of screen time. They are always shown what to do and what to think. Always scheduled. Planned. In a way already decided for them. Fed a non-stop barrage of information.

Does the word overstimulated come to mind?

Can we just let kids be? Do you know what they are capable of when you don't decide for them?

It may be a hard habit to break if your kids are already older and all they know is how to constantly be entertained or chauffeured from place to place. But if they are small, start now. Let them play. Let them build. Let them create. Stop dragging them to every local event or venue, they are not going to miss much.

In fact, they will miss something much bigger if they will never know themselves. If they never get lost in a book. If they never spend an hour just daydreaming. If they never invent their own toys. If adults take free-play away from them for fear of them being bored or 'unsocialized'.

How do you find the balance?

Photo: December 2012, Baby E Chasing Geese

Children Yearning for Adulthood

We spend our childhood yearning to be adults, and then we spend adulthood dreaming of being children again.

Baby E came up to me today, asking if she can use the colander to 'do her laundry', I gave it to her to play with. Then my thoughts started racing and this above is what I thought. I'm sure it's not an original thought or quote - but it came straight out of my head at that very moment. Here she is, wanting to do 'adult things', imitating my every task. I remember doing that as a child. I was thinking "Someday sweetie, you'll be saying to yourself 'not another load of laundry!' Until then, have fun."

I am looking at her now and thinking to myself "What would I give to be a child again!" Without a care in the world, just playing and being. Such a sacred and amazing part of life - childhood. 

I remember being six, I remember just how important it seemed that everything I did was. Playing wasn't just play to myself, it was very important - it was intentional. If we only were as intentional about what we do when we are adults. We can learn a thing or two from our children and the way they play, the way they want to be all grown up - to be us.

Reading Horizons Intensive Phonics $299 Giveaway

Do you have a young child who is learning to read? Maybe one in elementary school that is struggling with reading? We're excited to be working with Reading Horizons to introduce you to a phonics program that will help your kids become fluent readers. Guess what? One of you will even win the Intensive Phonics Instructor Materials package valued at $299! 

The Reading Horizons Intensive Phonics Program for ages 4 through 9 is a great tool both for home and school education. It's actually a scientifically based program that incorporates teaching the 42 sounds of the alphabet, five phonetic skills, and two decoding skills. Combined, these three increase one's ability to read English. 

The package contains everything you need to teach your child, along with instructions for you. Here is what's included:

• Teacher's Manuals (2 Volumes)
• Sound Essentials Student Manual
• Reverse Learning Cards
• 14 Posters
• Enrichment CD
• Set of Little Books
• Tote Bag

Interested? You may try their sample lessons to get a feel for the program. Need some convincing? Read these awesome testimonials from parents and kids. You'll probably notice that they do have a reading program for older children and adults as well for those that struggle with reading, are learning English as a second language, or have learning disabilities. 

If you want to learn more about how you can help your child learn to read or to improve their reading skills, join Reading Horizons for a free webinar on Monday, August 20th!

One of you will win the complete Reading Horizons Intensive Phonics Program package outlined above valued at $299, great whether you are homeschooling or your child attends school! Please enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Huge thanks to The Homeschooling Blog, Confessions of a Homeschooler, and Dinker & Giggles for teaming up with Eco-Babyz to host this giveaway!

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Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. Eco-Babyz, The Homeschool Blog, Confessions of a Homeschooler, and Dinker & Giggles are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. 

Fundanoodle Review

As a homeschooling family we are always on the lookout for fun ways to integrate educational activities into the everyday. Sometimes it means Baby E helps me count cloth diapers as we hang them to dry, sometimes it means she will measure half a cup of flour when we are baking, other times it is nice for her to have an activity that she can do all by herself. You know that toddler stage when they scream "Myself!" They simply must do this themselves or else. We got our chance to leverage that desire to do everything herself when we received the Fundanoodle learning system. 

Since she is three and a half, we decided on the I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace! Multi-Activity Kit and the Max and Alphie's Adventures! Activity Book at the 3 year old level. We also received two Pre K to K level products, the I Can Write Numbers! and Max and Alphie's Adventures! Activity Book 2. I picked these four items from Fundanoodle based on my toddlers need-to-learn spots and enthusiasm. We have already been learning some basic writing skills, but none for numbers yet. She also loves hands on activities that require concentration even though she can be short on patience. That's why I thought that the activity books, beading, lacing, and tracing are perfect for her to work on fine motor skills and patience. 

She absolutely loves the items we received! It is also rewarding as a parent to watch your child's enthusiasm when they are learning important skills and having a lot of fun while doing it. I love how she calls it her 'homework' and makes it sound all important - and it is! The beading and lacing are her favorite. For beading there are sequence cards included and she enjoys putting the patterns together. We've had a lot of progress with lacing as well, learning on which side to insert the shoelace and how to keep it from getting tangled. It's fun to see how a little child's brain processes all this information! She got so into it and the other day her grandmother gave her a collection of colored thread and she insisted on trying real 'embroidery'. I gave her my biggest, least sharp needle, we put the thread through it, and we were sewing through a small piece of cloth. Looks like I need to get her an embroidery hoop! Of course this was all started by Fundanoodle and the fun lacing activity. She still likes the lacing cards, but she is also now ready for something more challenging - only two weeks after receiving this package of fun. 

The activity books that we received are really awesome, I love that it can all be contained and I don't have to print any sheets and have them laying around everywhere. You can neatly separate the sheets from the book, but I prefer to leave them intact (otherwise it will scare me like Legos). The sticker system is brilliant and Baby E loves to complete a task and place the sticker on the page when she is done, which I'm sure all toddlers love! I'm not sure what she likes more, the stickers or the age-appropriate labyrinths in the activity books...

My favorite thing about Fundanoodle is that it makes things simple for me as a parent. While I could make these activities myself, it would take me hours to find materials, print pages, etc. Fundanoodle delivers a neat little package with everything you need and saves you time. It is perfect for early learning and teaches your child important skills that will get them ready for becoming proficient writers. Whether you want to supplement and give one-on-one attention to your kindergartner or preschooler, use it for early homeschooling, learn with your little one who isn't attending Pre K or K, or even use it in a group setting - it is great for all these applications. 

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Congrats to Kendra K. on winning a Fundanoodle package in the Back to School Giveaway!

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Disclaimer: I did not receive payment for this review. I was provided a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are solely my own and your experience may differ.