Sherry Artemenko, MA-CCC, is a speech-languge pathologist with more than 35 years experience and founder of Playonwords.com. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author. “Squeaky Legs Dolly” was provided for review by International Playthings.

I recently discovered “WOW” toys and their set of construction vehicles. Durable for hard kids’ play, and running on kid power–no batteries– these vehicles have people to get the action going. Designed for the toddler set and up, little ones just push to get these trucks going. The newest addition to their fleet, “Mix ‘n’ Fix Mike,” is the cement truck whose friction motor rotates the cement drum, complete with swirly cement design and added realistic sounds. A detachable barrier can keep the construction spot safe or be stored on the back of the truck. “Dexter the Digger” and “Dudley Dump Truck” add to the building adventure with digging and dumping action.

Sherry Artemenko, MA-CCC, is a speech-languge pathologist with more than 35 years experience and founder of Playonwords.com. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author. “Mix ‘n’ Mike” was provided for review by Ravensberger toys.

It’s no wonder that Gotz dolls is celebrating its 60th anniversary–continuing to create dolls like precious Muffin who perfectly cradles into a preschoolers arms for hours of huggable pretend play. A new addition to the family of Gotz dolls, this 13″ Muffin baby became the object of affection for preschool girls. Her hand painted face, baby bald head, and moving eyelashes say sweetness all over. Little girls cradled her in their arms and took off with pretend play, tending to her infant needs. Her bean bag body conforms to hugs while her hard hands and feet make outfit changes easier for little hands. This baby is void of all the bells and whistles common to the new generation of dolls, leaving the direction of play up to the child who is in charge. Little girls fed her, took her temperature and brought bandages for her skinned knee during playtime. Shouldn’t the mom be in charge anyway?

Sherry Artemenko, MA-CCC, is a speech-languge pathologist with more than 35 years experience and founder of Playonwords.com. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author. “Muffin Doll” was provided for review by International Playthings.

Sherry Artemenko, MA-CCC, is a speech-languge pathologist with more than 35 years experience and founder of Playonwords.com. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author. “Sensory Gloworm” was provided for review by Playskool.

“My Little Pony Convertible” is part of the brand’s introduction of family play, featuring the adorable ponies accompanied by their loving mothers and siblings. Moms often ask me what toys offer families of animals for pretend play, since their child isn’t as interested in the miniature people. Now we have families of fun in ponyville.

Take note that your preschooler might need a stronger helper to snap baby in her carseat and into the car.

Sherry Artemenko, MA-CCC, is a speech-languge pathologist with more than 35 years experience and founder of Playonwords.com. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author. “My LIttle Pony Convertible” was provided for review by Playskool.

Inspired by the book and using game pieces from the story, “The Cat in the Hat-I Can Do That!” challenges kids while getting them moving, laughing at themselves, encouraging others to succeed, and playing independently. Every funny step involves learning–even putting the three instruction cards together is a mini-puzzle that has to be right for the directions to make sense.

Sherry Artemenko, MA-CCC, is a speech-languge pathologist with more than 35 years experience and founder of Playonwords.com. The opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author. “The Cat In the Hat, I Can Do That” was provided for review by I Can Do That Games.  For more information about this product, please visit www.icangothatgames.com.

Pairing a simple sentence, “I start to feel afraid,” with animals illustrating the same emotion–a little dog looking forlorn in the dark–each page builds on the reassuring spiritual truth, God is always with me, “Just like when God kept Daniel safe from the lions.”

Encouraging your child to declare God’s comfort and assurance, the animals insist, “I say out loud, ‘I am loved!’ or “I roar like a tiger, ‘I am safe!’”  Just enough language for a toddler or preschooler to master, each short statement comforts a child, reinforced by a  Bible verse, “Do not fear for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10

What to do:

Toddlers:

• Name the animals and the sounds they make, describe their actions and feelings–snuggling lions, nuzzling seals.
• Relate to God’s creation.
• Repeat the comforting phrases: “I am loved,” “I am safe!” “God is with me through the night!” so your child can remember them.

Preschoolers and early elementary ages:

• Describe the pictures using rich vocabulary.
• Relate the pictured activities to your child–we played in the snow like the polar bears, our family likes to cuddle too.
• Relate the emotions to your child–When do you feel afraid? What noises are scary? What do you do when you are scared? Model sharing by expressing when you as a parent are scrared  and how you rely on God to protect and comfort you. Do you sing a song or repeat a verse?
• Have fun shouting out the comforting phrases: “I am not afraid” and “I am safe.”
• Encourage emerging literacy skills–point out the words of the short phrases as you say them, “I am loved.” and “God” that is differentiated in bold color.
• Memorize the Bible verse together.

Having raised my kids on Richard Scarry books, searching for Lowly the Worm, I am excited to see a new generation of children examining his delightful drawings, learning about communities of fun. “Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found it! Game” is a winner in innovative, entertaining, language learning games. Unfold the six foot game board and race  through the bustling town, busy airport, industrious construction site, and working farm, to board the ferry for Picnic Island to grab your lunch before Pig Will and Pig Won’t eat it. Spin a Goldberg Mystery Card and start the timer as all players work together to spot the most objects on the game board of the kind pictured on the card—construction cones, garbage cans, shovels, kites, or bicycles. Kids love to place their magnifying glass tokens on the objects when found, rewarded with a bonus move. Can you see why I hear squeals of delight when a bug card is spun?

This team game models collaboration, encouragement, patience and the satisfaction of “winning” together. Scarry’s detailed drawings teach the language of concepts, categories, association, and storytelling as little ones learn what objects, people and actions go together to build narratives. Where would we find shovels? Look in the construction site. Where would we search for letters? Check the town post office or neighborhood mailbox. What about garbage cans? Everywhere! Enjoy this game for a balance of talents and fun for kids and adults alike.

Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It! Game

Recommended age: 3 years and up

Alex Toys

Recommendated age: Newborn and above