Typing Instructor for Kids is a software program designed to teach children to type.  I’ve been eyeing this software in the Timberdoodle catalog for quite some time.  The software is geared towards ages 6 to 12.  Prime age for Zoe to learn to type.  You can get all the technical information from the link provided above.

The graphics and programming of the software is very kid friendly and eye appealing.  A child must go to Typer Island and start out at a certain level.  And then by working through the letters of the keyboard, move on to another level and another.  The goal is to reach the castle on the island.  The software encourages both accuracy and speed, which being a typer, I know that’s important. However, it does emphasize accuracy over speed at first.  The thought being that as accuracy improves so will the speed.  There’s no adjusting, rearranging, and figuring out what level your child needs to start out on.  The program, through a series of different activities, can figure out the words per minute based on accuracy and speed and then sets the child at the appropriate level.  I did have to select where I wanted her to start off (learning the home row keys) at in the “settings” menu.

Overall, the program is wonderful!  It was easy to load and after a few rough starts, easy for Zoe to manuever through.  At the start, the “settings” area can be adjusted to follow a plan that is appropriate for the child.  I like that you can start where you want and where your child is.  For us, that meant the home row.  Zoe only had time to do the first four, “asl;” but she managed through them and after about fifteen minutes of play I could see a marked improvement in her ability to find the keys and not “hunt and peck.”

We both thought the animated characters had rather silly voices but they, in no way confused the user.  Another problem included trying to figure out exactly how to start the activities.  There was no user manual included, but after a few tries at different buttons, we were on our way!

Priced at $8.00 at Timberdoodle.com, Typing Instructor for Kids is a great way to introduce the keyboard and typing to your child.  I would highly recommend this software.  There are adult versions of the software as well and all are as reasonably priced as Typing Instructor for Kids.

Disclosure:  This product was provided by Timberdoodle Co. to MamaBuzz and it’s reviewers for reviewing purposes.

Books! Books!  I just love books!  Bonus for me, Zoe loves (and that’s putting it mildly) to read too.  I was ecstatic when I was accepted to review a book about a family and not only a family (pretty cool and hard to find) but not only a family but a homeschooling family!  I have found that it’s near impossible to locate fictitious books about homeschoolers.  Oh yes, I know they’re there, but they’ve been really hard for us to locate. 

Wright on Time:  Arizona by Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley is not only fictitious but is chock full of educational tidbits. Wright on Time: Arizona is the first book in a series that follows the Wright family as they “road school” through the United States.  Of course, the first book is about Arizone and tha tis the book I was able to review.

This book is written for ages 9 to 12.  There are illustrations through the book which is great for visual learners.  I easily read hte book in a couple of hours, which is not bad for me (the slowest reader in our family).  I handed the book over to Zoe the following afternoon and she had it finished before the next day.

The book is well writeen and easy to follow.  It can hold the reader’s attention because of the short chapters and the mystery and intrigue throughout.  Zoe was thrilled with the book and is already asking for the next one. 

I wanted to learn even more about Arizona and was a bit disappointed that the book only touched on one aspect of the state:  the caves.  However, I can see where this book would be a great jumping off for children to want to learn more about the state after reading the book.

Zoe and I both felt the illustrations were great in telling the story.  However, the drawings of the people were not as appealing.  After showing the book to a family member, she felt the children’s characters were drawn a little too much like adults.  In Zoe’s words, the illustrations of the girl were a bit “freaky.”

The family dynamics, while not overtly Christian, are very positive.  The father and mother are portrayed as intelligent and competent which is not seen often in today’s media.  The children were respectful without acting like little adults and said things that were appropriate, not out of place, for children to say.

That being said, these books , and I believe, the following ones, are great tools to jumpstart a child learning about various states.  Entertaining, educational, and easily readable, Wright on Time by Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley will definitely appeal to young readers.

***Disclosure:  Mama Buzz and reviewers, received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Hands down, the Christmas season is my most favorite season of the year.  The family, the smells, and the food…yumm!  Books, too, are one of my favorite things.  Combine Christmas and books, and you can hear me humming the song from The Sound of Music (“These are a few of my favorite things…).  

The Story of Christmas fits into two of my categories of favs, so I was delighted to be able to review it.  Based on the Read and Share Bible, this picture book recounts the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.  All the people who witnessed and worshipped Jesus as He came to earth as a baby are included in the book.  Each section summarizes an event and includes disccussion questions and Scripture references.  Throughout the entire book are beautifully illustrated pictures which capture the attention of even the youngest children.

As an extra bonus, the book includes a DVD with various events in Jesus’ life.  The animation closely resembles the illustrations in the book.  All of the children were eager to watch the video.  However, Josiah was a  little scared when the scene of Jesus being tempted by Satan appeared (A cloaked figure with human hands and no face can be pretty scary for a two year old.).

The kids ate up the book, as usual in our home.  They loved reading and flipping through the pages over and over again.  

I would recommend this book as a great way to introduce the events of Jesus’ birth to a very young child.  However, nothing can beat the actual account in the Bible as a way to help a child understand that these were not merely fictitious events but actually occurred in the not too distant past.