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2018 PAL Awards
Play on Words speech and language expert Sherry Artemenko recognizes exceptional toys, games and books that encourage language, spark fun and invite creative play.
all PAL Award winners
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Win a PAL Award for toys, books & games:
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video toy reviews
Video reviews of our PAL Award winners with tips on how to advance language through play • see PAL tips... ►
See more video reviews... ► Sherry, thank you so much for working with my girls for so long. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, insight and professionalism made our experience so meaningful. My husband and I appreciate all you have done for them. Let’s keep in touch. Thanks again.
Mother of 3 and 5 year-old girlsGreenwich, CTThank you Sherry! You are a BIG help and Max adores you.
Maria, mother of a 5 year-old boyFairfield, CTSherry, thanks for giving us back our son. We are so grateful for everything you did for Ben and our family. Not seeing you every week makes me feel that something is missing… but we look forward to a summertime walk! We miss you,
Nicole, mother of 2 year-old boy who was dismissed from therapyWestport, CT
Category Archives: 6-8 year-olds
Best Pirate Ships for Pretend Play
Maybe because I am working with a lot of boys lately or it’s spring and the ships are sailing, but my thoughts are turned to finding a great pirate ship for pretend play. Kids love to invent a story about … Continue reading
Shopping List of Educational Toys for Parents and Therapists
When I speak to a group of new moms, I often ask how I can be most helpful to them. Recently one mom said, give us a shopping list of good toys and books for developing language. As you know … Continue reading
Posted in 3-6 year-olds, 6-8 year-olds, Babies, Birth-3 year-olds, Books, Elementary School Age, Games, Preschool, Toys
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Game Review: Froggy Boogie by Blue Orange Toys, Ages 4-6
Ages 4-6 Grab your kiddie frog for a boogie around the lily pads. The trick is that you can’t be “seen” by the googly eyes of the adult frogs or your froggie is frozen in place, unable to advance toward … Continue reading
Birthday Game for 5 Years and Up
One of my favorite game buddies is Justin who turned 6 today. He loves to try a new game and can even stand to lose which is rare for a boy his age. He invited me to try out his … Continue reading
Toy Review: “Funny Bunny” by Ravensburger, Great Gift
Grab your four bunnies and take off on the path to be the first to capture the carrot. Oops, it’s not that easy. Take your turn, pick a card and see if you advance 1, 2 or 3 spaces unless … Continue reading
Toy Review: “Diggity Dog” by International Playthings, Inc.
Kids three years and up want a little challenge in their games—not everything left to chance! Diggity Dog is their first pick for fun. Choose your puppy and press the doghouse to listen for the number of barks. Count them … Continue reading
Toy Review: “Folding Castle Playset” by Melissa and Doug
Get past the guard, drop down the drawbridge and roll up the door of the Folding Castle Play Set and you are in for some fun. The king and queen preside over the castle while the knight can stand guard … Continue reading
Toy Review: “Treehouse Playset” by Melissa and Doug
Language enhancing toys have moving parts and opportunities to change the action and therefore the story. Kids can’t wait to enter the Tree House Play Set by Melissa and Doug, traveling up the staircase before someone on the third floor … Continue reading
How Do I Handle Problems at School?
When I started my blog I wondered if I would always have something fresh to say but thankfully my mind is bursting with ideas from daily encounters with parents and kids. It occurred to me that I should write about … Continue reading
Book Review: The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
Violet, the dog, innocently drops her tennis ball down a prairie dog’s tunnel, setting off the “fuzz frenzy.” “Boink, thump, rumble, and plunk” is just the beginning of this delightful journey of a fuzzy ball through the land of prairie … Continue reading
