Education | Page 38 of 39

Big Book Bargains in the Atlanta Burbs

I love books. Because of that it’s not too surprising that Baby Mojo loves books. At bedtime either mom or I will read a book to him, then leave his bed light on while he sits in his crib and reads himself to sleep. When we go into to change his diaper later in the night it looks like the Book Town mafia shot down our son with an outline of cardboard children’s books. Continue reading Big Book Bargains in the Atlanta Burbs

An iPad for under performing students in Georgia-UPDATE

Last week I wrote a post about the fact that the state of Georgia is thinking about purchasing an iPad for some of the under performing students in Georgia. Unbelievably Georgia officials are still in serious talks and consideration to follow through on this idea. It was a bad idea last week and it hasn’t gotten any better with seven days of age. Continue reading An iPad for under performing students in Georgia-UPDATE

Daddy Mojo’s favorite free iPad apps for toddlers

Baby Mojo is just 16 months but he loves to interact with the iPad. We’ve found a couple great apps that help teach him basic words and phonics. Verbally, we’ll teach him the sounds of the alphabet, but when he sees the letters we’re teaching him the phonetic pronunciation. All of these apps are free, but some of them may have additional aspects that you pay money for.

Continue reading Daddy Mojo’s favorite free iPad apps for toddlers

An iPad for every student, in the 45th ranking state

Sometimes we stumble across a story so ridiculous that we hope its content and motivation was typed by a room full of monkeys. Alas, such a story popped up on The AJC about Georgia Senate President Tommie Williams who is proposing that middle school students in Georgia receive an iPad, in lieu of text books. Continue reading An iPad for every student, in the 45th ranking state

What Pee Wee’s Playhouse can teach Parents

Growing up in the 80’s had certain peaks and valleys. For me one of those peaks was watching Pee Wee’s Playhouse, the kids’ show that adults could love starring Paul Reubens. Children could enjoy the visuals and the simple jokes while adults (see: college students) enjoyed the sublime humor or played it later as a drinking game. Continue reading What Pee Wee’s Playhouse can teach Parents

A parenting tip for maintaining the baby’s library

Both mom and I have been reading to Baby Mojo since he could open his eyes. It started out with Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Ten Little Ladybugs and an assortment of other hardback books. We have many more non hardback books, but quickly discovered that he would either eat them or destroy the pages. Continue reading A parenting tip for maintaining the baby’s library

Toddler Thursday at The High

Preschool art education program at The High Museum of Art, Thursday, April 1 from 11-3. You can get all the details, as well as, tickets here.

But wait, there's more call now

Years ago I made a vowed never to buy anything directly from an infomercial. The only time I strayed is when I bought the Sham Wows and in that case I went to their website; also it was a gift for somebody, so technically that didn’t count.

I’m sure that some of the products advertised are well made and things that the family can genuinely use. The untimely death of Billy Mays has certainly helped ease any temptation that I had to order directly from the television. Say what you will about that particular advertising medium, but that man could pitch a product like nobody’s business.

My current favorite infomercial is the Booty Pop. It’s so surreal that you have to look twice at the television to be certain you’re seeing what you think you are.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EvVErNhVE&feature=player_embedded]

If I were being totally honest with myself (and isn’t that purpose of a blog?) then I’d also be on my keyboard right now ordering those teach your child to read DVD’s.

As a former teacher I want to teach my child to read at the earliest age possible, but there is just something about that product that makes me uneasy.

The clips that I saw on television looked instantly dated. I want Baby Mojo to know what a how much bread it takes for the far out box social. The teaching principles they talked about seemed sound, but my infomercial ban and that uneasy feeling won out.

I’m still teaching Baby Mojo to read, just a bit more traditionally, with basic Dr. Seuss books, some flash cards and the occasional tickle break.

My brother-in-law did lean into me about the flash cards. Granted, Baby Mojo is very young, he likes to hold them and that’s about it. However, if this early immersion gives him a quick start so much the better.

If anybody has a positive child reading program story I’d love to hear it. Not that it would definitely change my mind but it would certainly give us something to think on.