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Workbooks, Pencils and Osmo :: Review

May 1, 2018 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

Raising a child in the iPad, YouTube, streaming generation is tricky. We try to follow the guidelines on screen time as advised by our pediatrician, but let’s be honest — children are learning differently now than they ever have before. My son can tell me our solar system’s plants in order from closest to furthest from the sun thanks to a YouTube video (hugs to you, Pluto – you are missed!).  At least part of his curriculum at preschool is taught using an interactive touchscreen at the front of the classroom. Seriously, HE’S BARELY FOUR and he can navigate technology better than I can! Enter, Osmo.

Let me start off by saying that this is not a paid endorsement, and Osmo has never reached out to me about writing a review. This is entirely of my own doing because I believe in the product. My introduction to Osmo was unconventional — my son watched a YouTube channel called Ryan ToysReview, which featured Osmo’s Hot Wheels MindRacers game. It looked like fun, and we already had an iPad, so I looked into it for Christmas. Once I realized all of the amazing other educational games you can play on the platform, I knew it was a sure winner. It did not disappoint.

Hot Wheels MindRacers ::  Since it’s the reason I researched the product in the first place, I’ll start here. This game allows to you to virtually play with your cars, racing against another user.  But it’s more than just racing — it’s strategy. You’re encouraged to wait for those “super” times to boost or attack, then spin in order to counterattack. It’s more difficult than it seems at first for your wee one, but when they FINALLY catch on to the strategy component — the cause and effect — the game is more entertaining for them. If you have an iPad and a kid that loves cars, it’s a no-brainer.

      

Tangram :: My son LOOOOOVES puzzles. Like “doing puzzles for three year olds with ease at age one” loves puzzles. This software encourages you to take the shapes you already understand and manipulate them into various pictures. The pictures get more sophisticated as you progress, but there is always a helpful hand to assist if the program recognizes a hesitancy. It’s the perfect next step in his pursuit of all things puzzles.

                       

Numbers :: My son is engrossed in basic arithmetic at preschool, so this was extremely helpful in reinforcing what he was learning throughout the day. He’s also a terribly sensitive little boy, especially as it pertains to animals and their well-being, so he is ecstatic when all the fish are safe in their healthy home!

Words :: Little man is also just about done with his phonics curriculum in preschool, so this was also terrifically helpful in reinforcing what he had already learned.  I’m pushing this program the hardest, as I’m eager for him to begin reading in earnest over the next few months. With the Summer ahead, and my data account connected to my iPad, you can be sure I’ll be bringing this to any vacation destinations.

THINGS TO NOTE :: You will need an iPad or iPhone to use this system, and you will need to purchase a base/reflector in order to use any of the software.  I purchased the Genius Kit, which comes with the base/reflector, Tangram, Numbers and Words, then I separately purchased Hot Wheels MindRacers.

FINAL THOUGHTS :: Seriously, I love this for my son. I can’t believe what a difference it has made, and the confidence it has given him in his studies. We were playing Numbers just prior to his arithmetic lessons in school, and his teacher remarked as to how quickly he caught on. While I may be a lot of things, a teacher I am not. Osmo has really helped me do better for him at home in that regard. I can’t wait until he is a little older so I can order him one of the coding games, but am thinking of getting him the Creative Set in the meantime.

If you’re debating as to whether to purchase an Osmo set or game for your child, DO IT! It’s amazing. Just like workbooks and pencils, technology can be used as an effective tool in education thanks to companies like Osmo.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Education, Osmo, School, Technology

Post-Holiday Mom Guilt

December 31, 2017 by playworkrepeat Leave a Comment

Typically I take the week preceding Christmas off from work each year to prepare for the holiday.  Unless I’ve gone full blown online retail hopping, it’s hard to finish up shopping and the million other to-dos on the list.

It’s also a chance for MC, my four year old wee man, to take life at a slower pace.  I didn’t have to drag him out of bed in the morning to go to preschool. I didn’t have to force feed him breakfast so that I knew he wouldn’t be hungry if he decided to be especially picky about lunch that day.  I dropped him off late and I picked him up early, but I did send him in to school each day…for a reason.

You see, MC is a highly sensitive little soul — and he thrives on routine.  We consulted professionals on how best to help him adapt to school — keeping in mind he has been on the daycare side of the same preschool since he was three months old — and five full days was the overwhelming recommendation. That being said, when my hubs and I went back to work the day after Christmas, I had never really given it a second thought to keep him home.  Many companies are closed (ours are not) and schools are out, so I’m not sure why I was surprised when he was one of three children in attendance out of 20 on December 26th.  Three, including him.

As we received updates from the school throughout the day on their app (OMG, I love that thing!), I noticed he was mostly alone or always at a different table instead of his assigned seat.  I know that he received more direct attention from teachers than he would have in a full room, but I couldn’t help but feel like I put my job and preparing for the holiday before my child.  And I felt like a monster.

He loves school.  He loves his teachers.  He loves me.  In the end, he was fine.  The experience was definitely a game-changer for me, though.  Next year, I will strive to do more early for the holidays instead of making every effort to please others with weekend commitments and holiday parties.  Next year, I will bookend the Christmas holiday with vacation days, or alternate days off with my husband or our parents so he gets more time off.  Next year, I’ll worry less about THINGS I should do and focus more on the PEOPLE that matter.  After all, that’s what the holidays are all about.

Now, on to figuring out what to do with all these new toys…..

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Holidays, Mom Guilt, School

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