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2019 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, 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, CTSherry, 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, CT
Category Archives: Toy Reviews
Playonwords.com Presents Their Spring 2016 PAL Awards
Congratulations to all our 2016 Spring PAL Award winners as well as our past honorees. Thanks for all you do to make language learning fun! Last week one of our our toy videos, NogginStik, was included on the Today Show featuring Mompreneur, Marcia Haut. … Continue reading
Posted in 3-6 year-olds, 6-8 year-olds, 8 years and up, Language, Reading, Toy Reviews, Toys
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Kids Learn Independently With The New Smartscope
It was a joy to watch my three friends, aged 5, 8 and 9 years old, gather their specimens from outside and head to their new Ravensburger Smartscope to magnify, identify, explore and learn. We started with pollen (since we were … Continue reading
New York Toy Fair 2016 Hot Trends for Learning Toys
Every year I get so amped for The International Toy Fair in New York City–no caffeine needed–as we scour the isles of the Javits Center for fun new products embedded with language learning potential. The creativity, passion and spunk of … Continue reading
“Secret Agent Headquarters With Alarm” by Playmobil
James Bond step aside– kids can now create their own spy world with Playmobil’s newest set, “Secret Agent Headquarters.” Agents can arrive at their office found in a mountainous, futuristic location by speedboat or multi-functional vehicle, adjustable for land, air … Continue reading
Posted in 6-8 year-olds, 8 years and up, Toy Reviews
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Treasure Temple With Guards by Playmobil
Grab your weapons of choice–a rope, gun, or sword as you make your way into the treasure temple to steal the shiny, crystal treasures. The trick is to get past the evil guards in removable disguise, avoid the stake barrier … Continue reading
Posted in 3-6 year-olds, 6-8 year-olds, 8 years and up, Toy Reviews
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I Built It! Snakes and Ladders by I Built It! Games
Get ready for a hike through the jungle, climbing vine ladders and slipping down the tail of a snake. The large game board grabs a preschooler’s attention with the inviting, simple artwork and clear counting fun as you make your … Continue reading
I Built It! Memory Match+Tic Tac Toe
The possibilities are endless with Memory Match+Tic Tac Toe as kids create and customize their game before playing. Continually under construction, this set of games is flexible for endless fun and learning. Unscrew the 18 game pieces and insert your personalized pictures, … Continue reading
Gubs by Gamewright
Step up to the next level of game playing as you enter the world of Gubs, paying careful attention to the characters, tools, hazards, traps, events and protection needed to build your colony of these treasured creatures. Don’t think you can … Continue reading
Splish Splash! by Gamewright
Jump right into this multi-colored pond of fun as you roll the die, drop the pebble into the collection of colored shapes and see if some splash out. The roll of the die determines how many chances you get to … Continue reading
Posted in 3-6 year-olds, Preschool, Toy Reviews
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Mermaid Beach by Gamewright
Intrigued that a girl her age actually created this game, my little toy tester jumped right into “Mermaid Beach” and loved it. There is no lying around on Mermaid Beach because you have to be on your toes to craftily … Continue reading
Posted in 6-8 year-olds, 8 years and up, Toy Reviews
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