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2011 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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PAL tips
Video reviews of our PAL Award winners with tips on how to advance language through play • see PAL tips... ►
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new reviews
Read our reviews of the latest in toys, games and books • read reviews... ►
sherry in the news
Get the Flash Player to see this player.In this interview, Sherry Artemenko tells News 12 Connecticut about the latest toys that can help children’s development and learning. See more Sherry’s news... ►
Category Archives: Strategies to Enhance Language
“Dino Constructables” by Tomy
Kids are fascinated with dinosaurs so being able to construct your favorites and invent new ones adds up to a hit. With just 18 chunky, high quality pieces, children can create their own motorized models with moving mouths and legs, … Continue reading
“Lil’ Shopper Playset” by Earlyears
Grab your recyclable bag and head off to your pretend grocery store with your “Lil’ Shopper Playset” by Earlyears. Babies learn all about textures, colors and sounds exploring this bag full of food. The shiny blue carton of milk was … Continue reading
“Kidoozie Twist and Turn Ring Toss”
Take a little twist on the usual ring toss by adding some angles, movement and music and the family fun is multiplied. Kids engage in a little problem-solving as they can vary the the configurations of the sticks with many … Continue reading
“Silly Situations” by Discovery Bay Games
Kids love to giggle at silly situations, so add to that the challenge of solving a problem using three unrelated object cards to tell your story. What’s a person to do if his ice cream cone is melting all over … Continue reading
“Chuggington Traintastic Cargo Game” by I Can Do That Games
Hang on to your conductor’s hat for another clever, multi-leveled, game of fun, strategy and learning from I Can Do That! Games. Drive your favorite Chuggington train into the depot to load up your boxcars, making sure your cargo is … Continue reading
Folkmanis “Frog Puppet Kit”
What could be better than a Folkmanis puppet? One they design that you can construct! Grab a frog, cat or bunny kit that includes the incredibly soft, plush body, fabric puppet parts and cut-outs, glue, easy instructions and ideas for … Continue reading
“Who Am I?” by HABA Toys
Who am I? An astronaut? Rain boots? Or a fried egg? Ask the right questions and you’ll discover the answer. The “Guesser” straps on the headband, while the rest of the players select a picture card and attach it to … Continue reading
Arc-a-teks by WABA Fun
Say hello to Arc-a-teks, the newest members in the popular Superstrucks family. Pairs of friendly characters from the earth, sea and sky arrive in handy buckets, ready to construct. Rods, wheels, connectors and foam pieces combine to make your little … Continue reading
Rub-A-Cub Peek-A-Boo Blanket by Taggies
The newest baby toy to receive a PAL Award is “Rub-A-Cub Peek-A-Boo Blanket by Taggies. How can a blanket possibly be this soft? Here is my review: The best baby toys teach through play and provide many opportunities for parents … Continue reading
Light ‘n’ Sounds Vroomin’ Vehicles by International Playthings
Toddler toys are sometimes the hardest to recommend. Often we put adult features or themes on kids’ toys that they don’t even relate to but entices parents to buy them. One feature that I always look for is if there … Continue reading
