Review: Mind Benders Level 1

If you are looking to nurture a "problem-solver" mindset in your homeschool, Mind Benders is an essential addition to your weekly routine. I am a firm believer in providing children with tools that challenge them to think critically and find solutions independently. Sourced from our favorite collection at Timberdoodle, this workbook has quickly become a highlight of our week—turning complex logic into a fun, rewarding activity.

The core of the workbook revolves around deductive reasoning. Each puzzle presents a scenario where the student must determine "who goes with what" based on a set of clues. For example, you might need to figure out whether the dad, son, or daughter owns a cat, dog, or shark. Since our daughter is four, I act as the narrator, reading the clues aloud while she takes full control of the logic. I am always available to answer clarifying questions, but the heavy lifting of the thought process is entirely hers.

There is something incredibly rewarding about sitting back and watching her mental gears turn. As she works through the clues and eliminates possibilities, you can see her building not just critical thinking skills, but a massive sense of confidence. The pride she feels when she reaches the correct solution on her own is priceless. It transforms "schoolwork" into a confidence-boosting victory that proves she is capable of tackling even the most puzzling challenges.

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Review: All About Reading Level 4

We have officially reached the summit of All About Reading Level 4 , and I am currently accepting trophies, high-fives, and perhaps a very large latte. If you had told me a few years ago that we’d be tackling "anomalous phonetic structures" and "loanwords" without a total household meltdown, I would have assumed you were hallucinating. Yet, here we are, and I am officially a fan-girl for All About Learning Press. This final level is essentially the "Black Belt" of literacy instruction, diving into the deep end of the linguistic pool with a level of clarity that is frankly miraculous. The curriculum tackles those treacherous "borrowed" words that usually make the English language look like it was put together in a blender. As a dyslexic educator teaching a fellow dyslexic, I’ll be entirely transparent: I encountered phonetic principles in these four levels that were completely absent from my own public school experience. I was basically learning ...

Review: Djeco Pompom Pictures - All Aboard

Djeco Pompom is a super cute and easy art craft for toddlers. They just put the pompoms on the corresponding dots. I like that it comes with all the pompoms you need. However, the glue stick they give you doesn’t make the pompoms sticks to the board. I tried regular glue and that didn’t work either so I ended up having to use a hot glue gun. So, I suggest having hot glue if you get this. There are small circles on the boards to let you know what color pompom goes where so it’s pretty self-explanatory. The kit does come with a small manual that it done with pictures so even your little one can look at the manual and understand which pompoms go on which board.

Review: A to Z Board Book

In our household, literature is the cornerstone of early education, so we began our daily reading rituals when our daughters were mere infants. While our shelves are currently burgeoning with an eclectic array of alphabet primers, the A to Z Board Book has secured a particularly prestigious position in our rotation. As the name suggests, this is a board book—a vital feature for anyone navigating the "destructive" phase of toddlerhood. My youngest has a penchant for paper shredding that would rival a high-end office machine, so the sturdy construction of a board book is a non-negotiable necessity. However, because this is a "lift-the-flap" volume, I maintain a strict "supervised access only" policy to ensure the flaps remain attached to their respective pages. We have integrated this book into our daily school routine, as it offers a multifaceted sensory experience. My daughter is currently enchanted by the interactive elements, relishing the opportunity ...

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