Scrabble - the original all-time favourite family game

Mattel's Scrabble SA

"Bring your own words into play" - ©Scrabble

                                                                                                         Sponsored

One of our all-time favourite games: Scrabble. We have many fond memories of playing Scrabble with family and friends. We got a Scrabble Original game from Mattel last week.There was nothing better than ending a year of school during a pandemic, than a relaxing game of Scrabble with a friend. The girls had so much fun, and even more so when they took a bit of liberty with "creative" words. 😉

Scrabble fun

The history of Scrabble is very interesting:

During America's Great Depression, in 1933, an out of work architect named Alfred Mosher Butts invented the game. The established game manufacturers were not interested in his invention. Only when Alfred Butts met James Brunot, a game-loving entrepreneur, it all came together. They refined the rules and design and came up with the name SCRABBLE - a word defined as 'to grasp, collect, or hold on to something'. The SCRABBLE Brand Crossword Game was trademarked in 1948, and the rest is history  pure board game fun!

                                                                                          - ©Scrabble

 

Week 4 in lock-down - Mattel Playroom ideas

Lock-down day 29. We are stressing, but we realise that we still have it very good. We still have a house over our heads. Although it is not our house anymore. We can't wait to move to our new lodgings. We are not sure if we will be able to move yet in Stage 4, but all fingers crossed. We can't believe it's been nearing a month of this. (This too shall pass!)

I am still on stand-by, and go into the office as required. Miss Fine has gotten into a good routine with her weekly homework. Which is a lot of work. I am grateful that we have the devices, and wifi, but we are struggling with printing stuff. (And then I think of all the learners who don't have any, and I feel very grateful that we are able to continue.) Miss Fine also loves the fact that she can sleep a bit later.

Miss Fine is a bit of a dawdler, but we get her moving with a bit of delayed gratification. "You do this, and then you can play, play with an app, watch YouTube, or connect with your friends on your phone." We also got the super cool link to the Mattel playroom, which has given us great ideas and apps of what to do during this time.

Mattel Playroom front page (screen print)

DC Comics Animated Memory Match Game - WIN

DC Comics Animated Memory Match Game - CC Prima Toys

                                                                                                                              #Sponsored

Perfect for the Festive Season. This DC Memory Match Game is ideal for family time. It forms part of the Prima Toys DC Campaign for summer and the festive season. DC Superhero fans, boys and girls, will love this as a gift.

The DC Comics Animated Memory Match Game is ideal for ages 3 plus and can be played with 2 or more players. The game features Wonder Woman, the Flash, Superman and more.

The game is valued at RSP R99.99  and available from retailers and toy stores. Easy on the budget and super cool as gift for boys and girls and the whole family.

Prima Toys has made available one of these for a give-away here.

Harley Quin 

WIN A DC COMICS JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED MEMORY MATCH GAME

• Comment below with the DC Superhero your child loves the most?
• This competition will run for a week, until Friday 7 December 2018 at 12 pm. The winner will be drawn via Random.org. 
• This competition is only open to South African residents.
• If you have won on this blog in the previous 3 months, you will not be eligible for this competition.

Congratulations to 

Aidan Kew.


Related post

DC Superhero Toys for Boys and Girls - Great for gifts

10 Ways Monopoly teaches Life Skills

Monopoly

We have always struggled with board games. Little Miss was not a good game player, and melt-downs used to be her go-to reaction when the game did not go in her favour. We understand it better now while she is busy learning life skills.

There are more than enough articles about the the positive impact of board games, and we will definitely incorporate it more in our lives.We've got two Monopoly sets, a Scrabble and a Rummikub at home. We gifted Miss the Rummikub in December, but we've only tried playing it once. Because, melt-downs...

Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics - it's fun for boys and girls!

Budding gymnast trying her skills with Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics

I saw the Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics video before Little Miss opened up the game. It looked super easy! But it's not! I still haven't mastered the skill.

Smartick app - the answer to sharpen math skills for children

I got an invite from Smartick Method, a mathematics programme that's run online, to try out the app for free. It's available to try out for free for everybody!

Smartick is an online math learning program that uses the latest artificial intelligence to adapt to each child’s learning style. The first session tests the individual child's math knowledge. From there, each child gets their own exercises based on their own abilities and skills as they progress! It is for children aged 4 -14. Based on a daily 15-minute session, the child progresses at his or her own pace, building self-confidence, avoiding frustration, and developing a positive attitude towards math.
The program is supported by the European Union, and it is also now available in South Africa.

The Smartick Method helps to create a study habit and routine, it avoids burnout and keep children motivated and coming back for more. The recommendation is that children do it at least 5 days a week to truly experience the benefits of the program.

I am very impressed with the scope and range of the programme. It is a great way to sharpen some of the skills and knowledge that children missed during their normal school day. The claim is that 94 out of 100 children improve their calculation skills. Also that 83 out of 100 children improve their school grades in maths. This would work fantastic for homeschooling!

Little Miss got a bit frustrated and demotivated, until I was told it was because I helped her too much. Smartick did not get a true reflection of the level of skill that the child is at, and the child is not able to do the exercises. We started again, and Little Miss is having a much better experience!  She also loves creating the virtual world with extra ticks she earns each day. She is able to create her own avatar and world on the app after she has completed her maths session.

Smartick

The parent gets a daily feedback about the content that has been covered.

The parent also gets a message when the session was missed.

Try it out for free on a 15 day trial: Smartick
The pricing deals are very good when comparing it to paying for a monthly maths tutor.

Download on iOS: Smartick - Math for children
Download on Google Play: Smartick - Learn math

Please let me know what you think of the app after your children have tried it?


Disclaimer: We got an extra three months free play, but I was not paid for the review.

Is my child addicted to gaming?

I was invited to The Think Ahead information sharing session about Gaming at the iStore on Sandton Drive last night.

Is gaming overtaking your child’s life, impacting sleep, health, relationships, academic experiences and general well-being?*
      
This Think Ahead information session is designed to help parents understand and discover the following:
     •      does your child have a serious gaming “problem”?
     •      why are games so compelling?
     •      how do games affect sleep, learning, memory, relationships and health?
     •      what games teach our children and games’ positive effects
     •      effective processes to help set limits around games  

The topic is extremely relevant today, as our children do not grow up in the same world as we did! We now have to parent in a digital age, where we don't have the experience and know-how of growing up with digital devices and technology.

Pam Macmillan, currently Edtech coach at St Stithians Boys’ College and Greg Crighton, an educational psychologist with extensive experience in schools and private practice, gave some solid advice to parent with regards gaming and children. The "trick" is to be involved and to set up negotiated ground rules from a young age.

There are some negatives of gaming!

But the good far outweighs the bad!

Take control as a parent by sitting down with your child to discuss and negotiate time management. It boils down to having open conversations with your children. Take the time to "walk-through" the games (YouTube videos etc) and to play it with them. To use gaming as punishment (by taking it away), is not as effective as rather using it as a reward system: "The sooner your chores/homework are done, the sooner you can play and have a longer play time!"
It has been found that balanced children who play games, but also take part in other activities, such as sport and culture, are achieving better academically.

Pam Macmillan

Parenting controls with regards gaming:


- Put parental controls in place

- Encourage a balanced lifestyle

- Games should be a privilege, not a right

- Develop and maintain open communication

- Don't over react

- Encourage responsibility

- Choose the environment

- Educate yourself

- Play games with your child


The positives far outweighs the negatives with regards gaming and children. As in everything else in life, we need balance! We can provide the balance as parents!

Some final notes: Visual learning is effective! Gamification of learning is important in the future!  The brain selectively remembers, choosing the most stimulating moments of the day (memory and attention). To transfer the focal attention to the learning situation makes 100% sense. The learning outcomes are less important than the process. Pam Macmillan concluded to say that the benefits of learning with devices far outweighs the disadvantages!


*No, my child is not yet addicted to gaming, but I can start conversations with her about screen time, and balance in life! "Phew!"

Powerpuff Girls app - Flipped Out! AND Powerpuff Yourself for free!

The Powerpuff Girls series from Cartoon Network Studios now gives fans the opportunity to be part of the action with with the all new mobile game Flipped Out!

Disclaimer: I received a promo code to test the app. 

It is already available exclusively on iTunes (iOS) from Thursday 31st March 2016.
It will be available on Amazon & Google Play (Android) on Thursday 14th April 2016.


Flipped Out is two games in one: Landscape mode let's you destroy monsters. By rotating it to portrait mode you are in for an action-packed brawler. All three Powerpuff Girls; Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, are up for play while you defend Townsville against the monsters.

It stays true to the original characters of the Powerpuff script and characters. The Girls need to save the city from too many sea buddies, and they go about it in the their well-known fighting fashion!

It's just a lot of fun!

Apparently you can unleash a bit of thinking power while playing as well.

Team up to take down toughies, or divide and conquer to cover more ground. Unleash spicy and sweet superpowers to demolish the bad guys! (Next time! I am just extremely pleased when I get a score. Not that big a GAMER here!))

Pointers by the Powerpuff Girls on how to move along
(A big thumbs up from me!)

I got a score!!

NOO! I lost!

Cartoon Network targets boys and girls from 6 - 12, and I think this game will do the same. (I might be mistaken, because Little Miss just KNOWS how it works already! They are born KNOWING! )

The latest original, animated comedy series from Cartoon Network Studios, The Powerpuff Girls, launches exclusively on Cartoon Network, DStv Channel 301, on Saturday 30 April @ 09:55 CET

Flipped Out! costs $2.99 (R45.20) on the iTunes store.
There are upgrades available to add superpowers and sticker layouts.


For FREE: Powerpuff Yourself!

Our social media timelines are filling up with Powerpuff Yourself images!
Of course we never grow up, and I made one for myself as well!

Send me a link of your Powerpuff? I would love to see!

We can't wait for our next box from MySmartKid

There is nothing like the allure of a package that arrives on your doorstep!

We have received our second package from My Smart Kid! I have won a year's subscription from The Mommy City in March, and Little Miss has really been enjoying opening them up and playing with the games and activity sets that's included.
Previously I could only give Mysmartkid away on the blog, but now we are getting all the fun stuff as well!

The latest box included the Jenga game, which is a really cool game for the whole family. Little Miss has been building the towers, as well as houses, and making the blocks fall like dominoes.
The Line-up game has also been a favourite for the past few days.

Jenga

Jenga blocks falling @mysmartkid

A video posted by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on May 27, 2015 at 10:19am PDT

It is Mysmartkid's first birthday! 

It seems they have a winning formula here!

Happy birthday, Mysmartkid!

This play-based educational initiative for children from birth to 6 years old has taken the local market by storm and revolutionised the way in which Early Childhood Development (ECD) is promoted in South Africa.  Mysmartkid has quickly become a leader in this field through its “learn through play” philosophy. The subscription programme promotes school readiness through the use of age-appropriate toys, tools and activities and was designed with the help of a panel of experts who share their professional insights and expertise.  

Disney's brand new Doc's World for little doctors in the making now live

The Walt Disney Company Africa today announced that a brand new online destination, Doc’s World, which is inspired by the animation series for preschoolers, Doc McStuffins, is now live.

Doc Mc Stuffins airs daily on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309). Kids are able to access the game via desktop, tablet or mobile here: Doc's World

The site launched in South Africa today and will also become available across the rest of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) throughout December.

Little Miss is loving this

- Doc McStuffins allows the player to become her right-hand assistant in helping to fix 'ouchies' or broken 'boo boos.'
- Kids create their own avatars in their own chosen doctor apparels.
- They can also choose one of the helpers from the show; from the familiar Haille, Lambie, Stuffy and Chillie.
- They also help design the interior of the medical areas that they are "working" in.
- Little ones can design their own posters from existing templates or from scratch.
- The children unlock rewards in the "My Clinic" area.
- These activities support early learning skills while encouraging a healthy lifestyle and caring for others.


This is great when they want something to keep them busy!

Season 2 of Doc McStuffins is currently on air, every day at 08:45 and 19:20 on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309).

Wordless Wednesday #238 - PlayStation Vita fun

Wordless Wednesday #232 - A Dad with his little girl

Nintendo 2DS - a great Christmas present

I was invited to a Nintendo 2DS launch a while back. I was intrigued as I am not a gamer, and usually get bored after a few tries with a new game. Although I personally think it is great to be into gaming, and that I usually look at gamers with a little bit of awe.

I accepted because I thought this would be great to check out for a Christmas present for the Little Missy. Her birthday and Christmas are around the corner, and this year we haven't decided yet on what to buy for her...

The Nintendo 2DS is part of the Nintendo 3DS family, and all the games and features of the 3DS are also available to the 2DS, minus the 3D viewing. The rest of the tech details can be Googled in a jiffy. (It sounds awesome to a layman like me.)

"Work is catching up with the way we play." 

"Love it or hate it! We are always "on"!"

These two quotes are true of the times we are living in!

I was surprised at the many features that are already available on the Nintendo. It is great that it connects over Wi-fi and updates automatically. Every time I have played with it, I have discovered a new feature. I welcome the idea that there is a lot to discover. I know that it will keep Little Missy busy for years to come. (Mom as well...)

It has a two-sided camera, and a sound recorder. And a shop. And settings that allows parents to ensure that their children does not incidentally opens up it up in unwanted websites...

Little Missy immediately gave us some Miekanese when playing with it for the first time.


  (Warning: the sound is a bit loud when switched on)

We also got the Mario Bros game with it. That is one of the most well-known games, apparently? Now I won't go all blank when Mario comes up in conversation, as I did previously. Mario is keeping us busy already!

The games are going for R79, which also makes it great future presents that is not heavy on the budget.

The Nintendo 2DS is available for R1500 in the South African stores. It is not that cheap, but compared to other gaming consoles and tablets on the market, it is a reachable amount as well as a durable present. It does not break when it there is an accidental fall on the floor. (Big score!)

I am telling my friends about the Nintendo 2DS to consider as a Christmas present this year!


Disclaimer: We got this Nintendo 2DS to play with, with a Mario Bros game included.

Related post:

Wordless Wednesday #203 - Nintendo 2DS keeps 'em busy

Wordless Wednesday #203 - Nintendo 2DS keeps 'em busy