Big Fish to Little Fish: Using Map Scale
Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum Grade 2 A. Using Geographic Tools 1. Use geographic tools to locate and describe places on Earth a. Identify the purpose and use of a globe and a variety of maps and atlases, such as school maps, neighborhood maps and simple atlases Directions: 1. Cut out each fish. 2. Cut a sheet of 12 x 18 construction paper in half and paste one end to the other to make a 6 x 35 strip. 3. Paste fish from biggest to smallest on construction paper. Authors: Sari Bennett & Pat Robeson

Dr. Toys Vacation Gift Guide
Dr. Toy makes product selections based on the following criteria: safety innovation design and durability age appropriateness long lasting play value cultural and ethnic diversity good transition from home to school educational value and learning skills creativity improves understanding of the community and the world (socially responsible) good value for price, and, just plain fun!
Toys, books, software, games, puzzles, audio and video, and much more.
Childrens Products Lets for 2006

Dr. Toys Best Vacation

Smart Toys + Smart Play = Smart Kids!
Dr. Toys Tips For Keeping Toys Safe & Clean Watch for small parts, sharp edges, loose ties, or other possible dangers for small children under the age of 3. Be sure products are labeled non-toxic. Cover exposed electric sockets. Toys handled frequently by infants and toddlers should be cleaned and disinfected or when soiled, to prevent the spread of germs.
Follow these steps for washable, colorfast toys: 1. Wash toys with soapy water, then rinse thoroughly 2. Clean toys with a solution of 3/4 cup household bleach in 1 gallon of water. Let stand for 5 minutes. 3. Rinse completely and dry. For more tips on disinfecting with household bleach, contact: www.Clorox.Com
Dr. Toy, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. Director of the Institute for Childhood Resources, San Francisco, produces an annual holiday guide, "100 Best Childrens Products," is a expert in child development, author of Dr. Toys Smart Play/Smart Toys and Toys for a Lifetime, a frequent writer of articles, consultant, and speaker about toys, childrens products, play and parenting issues. Dr. Toys Guide (www. drtoy.com) was the first site to provide toy information on the internet.

About Dr. Toy

Dr. Toy's Tips on Selecting Toys and
Before shopping observe child at play. Gather a list of possible products from Dr. Toys Holiday Guide: "100 Best Childrens Products" and from Dr.Toys Guide: web site (drtoy.com). Ask for suggestions from sitter, grandparents, teacher and other parents. Notice store and product ads. Check your childs "Wish List" and current needs. As you examine a potential purchase, ask yourself.
Other Children's Products
Say Toy around the world!
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1. Is the toy safe? Any potential hazards? Is the product too small? Any sharp edges or loose ties? Is it nontoxic? Durable? Will it take rough treatment? Does it meet Consumer Product Safety Standards? Is there a guarantee on the product? What is the return policy? 2. Is the product fun? A toy or children's product is supposed to entertain the child. It should amuse, delight, excite, and be enjoyable.
3. Is the product appropriate? Is this toy or product significant now? Does it fit the child's age, skills, and abilities? Will it hold interest? Will child use the product happily?
4. Is the product well designed? Is it easy to use? Does it look good? Feel good? Is the product versatile? Is there more than one use for the product? 6. Is the product appealing to the child? Does it offer an opportunity for fun, to learn, and to think? Does it help him/her learn about living environment? Is the toy or product inviting? 7. Will the product help the child expand creativity? With the right products the child can expand his or her imagina-tion in art, crafts, drama, hobbies, language, reading, music and physical movement.
5. Is the product durable? Will it be something that will last a long time? Children play hard and subject their toys to a lot of abuse and wear.
8. Will the toy frustrate or challenge the child? Does the toy offer something new to learn, to practice, or try? Will the child know how to use the product? Or, will it be too difficult to use without adult assistance? 9.Does the product match the package and the package match the product? If the toy does not match ads or packaging it can be disappointing. Is age-grading clear?
10. Will the toy help nurture childhood? Does the product help the child express emotions, experience concern for others, practice positive social interaction? Does it provide value to his or her childhood? Or, are there any violent, sexist, or other negative aspects to the product? 11. What will the toy teach? Does it help expand positive selfesteem, values, understanding, and cultural awareness? Does it offer practice in skill building? Eye/hand coordination? Fine and large motor skills? Communication? Does it educate the child about the environment? Community? World? History? Computers? Other skills? 13. Can I afford this toy? Does the price match the value?

12. Can the product be cleaned and reused? If it is not washable, can it be cleaned in some practical way?

DrToy.com - Page 2

Dr. Toys Suggested Smart Toys to Assist Your Child in Learning & Fun
1. Outer Banks Lighthouses Scramble Squares Age 6 and up $8.95 Learn about lighthouses with 9 piece, 4x4 brainteaser puzzles, easy to play, but hard to solve. Wide range of choices ( 100 designs, Flyfishing, Covered Bridges others depending on interests). Develop critical thinking skills, perseverance and more when challenged to solve puzzle. Reusable case. b. dazzle, www.b-dazzle.com, 800- 809-4242
2. Sudoku Age 7 and up $19.99 This skill building game challenges as simple to play, but difficult to master. Develop logic and reasoning. Includes 3-D game board grid, number tiles, tile storage compartment with booklet featuring 50 different puzzles. Briarpatch www.briarpatch.com 800-232-7427 3. Let's Pretend Grill-and-Go Camp Stove Age 3 -12 $29.99 Dramatic role playing make-believe barbeque. Cooking develops imagination, language and fosters creativity. Features boiling, sizzling sound effects, grill and burner glow red. Fun for child while adults cook. Equipment converts to carrying case. Two AA batteries required. Educational Insights, www.educationalinsights.com 800-995-4436
4. Peacock Puppet Age 3 -7 $44 Amazing 18 peacock puppet has fully open, multi-colored, textured feather display, multiple hand operations adds play value as child communicates, creates dramas, narrates stories and learns to work head/neck, legs, or feathers. Full-hand design splays feathers for easy body and head movement. Folkmanis www.folkmanis.com 800-654-8922 5. KAPLA Barrel $66 Age 3-12 Excellent creative construction toy made of high-quality wood. Young builders delight at endless possibilities of 200 pine pieces. Blocks are easy for small hands to manipulate. Supports confidence, concentration, problem solving, measure, design, organize, create, imagine, social skills plus eye hand and physical coordination. KAPLA Toys, www.kaplatoys.com 912-944-6296
6. Smart Splash Memory Match Clams Age 2 -12 $15.95 This skill building water toy challenges child to build memory skills and improve fine motor skills while playing in the bathtub, pool or pond. Collection of six colorful clams open to vibrant fish, crabs and starfish. Each piece sturdy, mold-resistant plastic with reusable mesh storage bag. Learning Resources, www.learningresources.com 800-222-3909 7. Tiny'n Tuff Off-Road Set Age 1 -5 $14.99 First vehicle set empowers, stimulates preschooler to build and create with imagination. Easy-to-build, three-piece vehicles with bigger wheels mix and match for easy manipulation. Transformable obstacle track comes with two rock shaped, two log shaped and two maxi blocks. Endless combinations for open-ended learning and play. Mega Bloks, www.megabloks.com 800-465-6342

8. Big Fish Lil' Fish Age 4 -12 $4.99 Enjoy playing fast-paced card game and improve thinking skills. Take turns using big fish to eat little fish. Beware the puffer fish can't be eaten or wind up with a whole pile of fish cards. The first player without cards wins the game. Easy to learn, fun to play set is complete with 60 brightly colored cards in travel size box. MGA Entertainment, www.mgae.com 800-222-4685 9. Tangle Jr. Age 3 and up $1.99 Tangles are perfect as a relaxing toy for children (and adults) to play on trips or anytime. Slips through your fingers, knots up in your hand, and feel tensions release. Play to quiet the brain, achieve tranquility and relax. An original infinite scupture Tangle is 20 interconnected 90 degree segments. Tangle Toys, www.tangletoys.com 888-829-3808
10. Magic Cauldron Age 5-8 $14.98 Math is magical with game of bubbling cauldrons and wacky ingredients like worms. Game is easy to learn and fun to play as ingredient card is selected, look at sum on the back, then guess solution by matching addition or subtraction card. What equals 10? Rub back of card to see if answer is correct. Children enjoy solving math as they laugh and cook. Be first to fill up cauldron and win. University Games, www.ugames.com. 800-347-4818

DrToy.com - Page 3

DR. TOYS BEST CHILDRENS VACATION PRODUCTS FOR 2006
Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51.

Company

ALEX ALEX Athletic Baby b. dazzle b. dazzle b. dazzle b. dazzle Babalu Blue Orange Blue Orange Blue Orange Breyer/Reeves Intl Briarpatch Cadaco Carson Dellosa Carson Dellosa Center Enterprises Chicco Chronicle Books Chronicle Books Chronicle Books Cranium Cranium Cranium Cranium Discovery Toys Dolly Adventures Educational Insights Educational Insights Educational Insights Educational Insights Educational Insights Educational Insights Elope Family Pastimes Folkmanis Folkmanis Folkmanis Fundex Games Fundex Games Funrise Toys Gamewright Gamewright Gamewright Gamewright Hooked on Phonics Hooked on Phonics Hooked on Phonics Hooked on Phonics Int'l Playthings Int'l Playthings

Product Type

$29.99 $11.99 $16.99 $8.95 $8.95 $8.95 $8.95 $16.95 $19.95 $29.95 $24.95 $50.00 $19.99 $19.99 $9.99 $12.95 $44.95 $59.99 $15.95 $18.95 $18.95 $9.95 $9.95 $9.99 $19.99 $18.99 $21.95 $29.99 $9.99 $19.99 $9.99 $29.99 $7.99 $16.99 $8.00 $44.00 $30.00 $44.00 $14.99 $14.95 $9.99 $14.99 $11.99 $3.99 $5.99 $14.99 $64.99 $14.99 $14.99 $18.99 $1.39

800-666-2539 800-666-2539 972-781-6806 800-809-4242 800-809-4242 800-809-4242 800-809-4242 805-963-8180 415-252-0372 415-252-0372 415-252-0372 973-633-5090 800-232-7427 800-621-5426 800-274-1150 800-274-1150 800-542-2214 877-424-4226 800-722-6657 800-722-6657 800-722-6657 877-272-6486 877-272-6486 877-272-6486 877-272-6486 800-984-5454 866-363-6559 800-995-4436 800-995-4436 800-995-4436 800-995-4436 800-995-4436 800-995-4436 800-553-5673 888-267-4414 800-654-8922 800-654-8922 800-654-8922 800-486-9787 800-486-9787 800-882-3808 800-638-7568 800-638-7568 800-638-7568 800-638-7568 888-605-5055 888-605-5055 888-605-5055 888-605-5055 800-631-1272 800-631-1272

Website

alextoys.com alextoys.com athleticbaby.com b-dazzle.com b-dazzle.com b-dazzle.com b-dazzle.com blueorangegames.com blueorangegames.com blueorangegames.com breyerhorses.com briarpatch.com cadaco.com carsondellosa.com carsondellosa.com centerenterprises.com chiccousa.com chroniclekids.com chroniclekids.com chroniclekids.com cranium.com cranium.com cranium.com cranium.com discoverytoysinc.com dollyadventures.com educationalinsights.com educationalinsights.com educationalinsights.com educationalinsights.com educationalinsights.com educationalinsights.com elope.com familypastimes.com folkmanis.com folkmanis.com folkmanis.com fundexgames.com fundexgames.com funrise.com gamewright.com gamewright.com gamewright.com gamewright.com hookedonphonics.com hookedonphonics.com hookedonphonics.com hookedonphonics.com intplay.com intplay.com
Games To Go BG TR 5-8 Magic Tracer AC NO TR 5-8 Athletic Baby Basketball AE DV 3-36m Covered Bridges Scramble Square ES NO PZ 6-12 Fly Fishing Scramble Square ES NO PZ TR 6-12 Outer Banks Lighthouses Square ES NO PZ TR 6-12 San Antonio Scramble Square ES NO PZ TR 6-12 FeltTales CP ES TR 3-5 CooCoo the Rocking Clown CO 3-12 Ringgz BG 8-12 Speedy Eddy BG 5-12 Horse Fun Party Pack AC CP 6-12 Sudoku ES TR TS 7-12 Buzztime Head-on Trivia Challenge EG 10-12 Butterflies-Life Cycles Dominoes BG ES PZ SC 5-12 Summer Bridge Activities Books BO ES TR TS 3-5 Ready 2 Learn Giant Stampers AC CP ES HO 3-10 Chicco 3D Playground AE CP ES 3-36m Camp Kit AE BO TR TY 6-12 Doodles BO 3-12 Scribbles BO 3-12 Hoppity Winks GE TR 6-12 Super Jacks GE TR 6-12 WonderWorks Picture Studio CP TR 6-12 WonderWorks Talking Picture Book BO CP TR 6-12 Stargo BG ES OP 6-12 Dolly Goes to the Beach BO ES FP 3- 8 Grill-and-Go Camp Stove CP FP 6-12 Kanoodle PZ 6-12 Magic Show! CP HO 6-12 PlayFoam AC CP 6-12 Space Faces BG ES 4-12 7-12 Trail Mate Adventure Tool AE CP HO SC Double Cone Princess Pink AE CP ES NO PL 3-10 Berries, Bugs & Bullfrogs #35 BG 4-7 3-5 Elephant Puppet PL PU TR 3-12 Harbor Seal Puppet CP PL PU TR Peacock Puppet PL PU TR 3-7 Bubba PT 5-12 Sonic Search PT 5-12 Pog BG HO 5-12 Combo King GE TY 8-12 Feed the Kitty GE TY 4-12 Original Little Hands GE TY 3-12 8-12 Top Speed GE TY Hooked on Colors TR TS DV 3-5 Hooked on Handwriting BO CM ES 4-6 Hooked on Numbers TR TS DV 3-5 Hooked on Shapes TR TS DV 3-5 Filo by Quercetti & Co. SpA ES TR 4-12 Little Chubbies Assortment TR TS 1-3 Key to Product Type:

DH = Doll House DO = Doll DV = DVD EG = Electronic Game ES = Educational FP = Fantasy Play GE = Game HO = Hobby ML = Musical NO = Novelty
AC = Arts and Crafts AE = Active AT = Audiotape BG = Board Game BO = Book
CD = CD CG = Card Game CM = CD-Rom CO = Construction CP = Creative
OP = Outdoor Play OT = Other PL = Plush PU = Puppet PZ = Puzzle
SR = Social Responsible SW = Software TR = Travel TY = Toy VT = Video Tape

DrToy.com - Page 4

52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100.
Int'l Playthings Int'l Playthings Kids II Kids II Kids II Kuleana Kuleana la manzana roja Learning Horizons Learning Horizons Learning Horizons Learning Horizons Learning Horizons Learning Horizons Learning Resources Learning Resources Learning Resources Learning Resources LEGO Systems Made By Hands Marcie And Me Mega Bloks Mega Bloks Mega Bloks MGA Mindtwister USA MindWing Concepts Out of the Box Paramount Home Ent. Paramount Home Ent. PlaSmart PlaSmart Play Visions Publications Intl Publications Intl Questar RADGames RandomLine Rock 'N Learn Scholastic Scribble Mats! Think Fun Universal Music University Games University Games VTech Walter Foster Walter Foster WeeCreation
Major League Baseball Trivia CG TR Taggies Big Soft Blocksby Earlyears PL TR Big Catch! Fishing Net AE CP PT TR Big Smiles! Activity Camera CP TR Take Along Caterpillar ES PL TR Hawaiian Lei Making Kit AC CP ES NO TR Princess Leilani CP DO ES NO TR Mom, Dad & Me ES DV ABC Wipe Off Mat AP ES Preschool Coloring & Activity AP BO Healthy Foods Wipe Off Mat AP ES Leap Frog Addition Wipe Off Mat AP ES Leap Frog Money Mat AP ES Kindergarten Coloring & Activity AP BO Go to Press A Grammar Game BG Memory Match Clams ES PT TR Pretend & Play Snack Shop CP FP World Treasure Hunt Mat AE ES TR Grand Soccer Stadium AE CO CP NO TR Make-Your-Own Masterpieces AC CP ES TR Fun with Marcie and Me DV Magnetix Magnetic Building Set CO CP ES TR Small Bag of Maxi Blocks AE CO CP ES TR Tiny'n Tuff Off-Road Set AE CO CP ES TS Big Fish Lil' Fish CP ES HO TR Pentago BG SGM Fun Pack CP ES Squint Jr. BG TR The Chipmunk Adventure DV The Princess Promenade DV Swinging Monkeys GE World Puzzle Map PZ Stunt Copter AE My First Story Reader BO ES SW TR TY Travel Time Activity Set BO ES TR Toy Castle: Beautiful Ballerina DV Super Add-Ons Monopoly AE BG ES SQUIGGLE on-the-go ES TR Alphabet Exercise ES VT DV Animal Genius EG ES SW TR TS Scribble Books! AC BO CP ES NO Sudoku 5x5 BG ES PZ TR Bratz Genie Magic CD CD Do You Sudoku? CG TR Magic Cauldron ES Write & Learn Letter Pad EG ES SW 100 Feet of Fun BO CP HO Fun with Manga BO CP HO Hip2Hop Hopscotch Kit AE ES TR DV

8-12 0-3m 1-3 6-36m 3-36m 5-12 4-12 2-10 3-6 3-5 3-6 3-6 3-6 5-6 7-12 2-12 3-12 4-12 7-12 4-12 1-4 6-12 1-5 1-5 4-12 6-12 5-12 6-12 2-11 3-6 3-5 3-5 6-12 6m-3 3-6 3-5 8-12 3-5 3-5 5-7 3-12 8-12 6-12 6-12 5-8 3-12 6-12 8-12 5-11
$7.99 $34.99 $4.99 $5.99 $14.99 $14.99 $24.99 $18.99 $3.95 $4.99 $3.95 $3.95 $3.95 $4.99 $21.95 $15.95 $32.95 $36.95 $49.99 $18.99 $14.99 $9.99 $7.99 $14.99 $4.99 $19.95 $29.95 $16.99 $14.99 $16.99 $19.99 $69.99 $12.99 $19.99 $14.99 $14.99 $24.95 $6.95 $19.99 $24.99 $5.00 $9.99 $15.00 $5.98 $14.98 $14.99 $12.95 $14.95 $11.99
800-631-1272 800-631-1272 800-230-8190 800-230-8190 800-230-8190 866-367-4852 866-367-4852 817-793-7939 800-532-8876 800-532-8876 800-532-8876 800-532-8876 800-532-8876 800-532-8876 800-222-3909 800-222-3909 800-222-3909 800-222-3909 800-453-4652 800-839-7369 781-329-0778 800-465-6342 800-465-6342 800-465-6342 800-222-4685 866-604-9220 888-228-9746 800-540-2304 818-823-6403 818-823-6403 877-289-0730 877-289-0730 800-678-8697 800-595-8484 800-595-8484 800-544-8422 603-924-6446 973-889-8964 800-348-8445 800-724-4718 877-543-3248 800-468-1864 310-865-7812 800-347-4818 800-347-4818 800-521-2010 800-426-0099 800-426-0099 866-373-1598
intplay.com intplay.com kidsii.com kidsii.com kidsii.com beahulagirl.com beahulagirl.com Lamanzanaroja.com learninghorizons.com learninghorizons.com learninghorizons.com learninghorizons.com learninghorizons.com learninghorizons.com learningresources.com learningresources.com learningresources.com learningresources.com lego.com made-by-hands.com marcieandme.com megabloks.com megabloks.com megabloks.com mgae.com pentago.com mindwingconcepts.com otb-games.com paramount.com paramount.com plasmacar.com plasmacar.com playvisions.com storyreader.com pilbookscom Bratz.com radgames.com randomline.com rocknlearn.com scholastic.com scribblemats.com thinkfun.com universalmusic.com ugames.com ugames.com vtechkids.com walterfoster.com walterfoster.com weecreation.com

Key to Product Type:

AC = Arts and Crafts AE = Active AT = Audiotape BG = Board Game BO = Book CD = CD CG = Card Game CM = CD-Rom CO = Construction CP = Creative DH = Doll House DO = Doll DV = DVD EG = Electronic Game ES = Educational FP = Fantasy Play GE = Game HO = Hobby ML = Musical NO = Novelty OP = Outdoor Play OT = Other PL = Plush PU = Puppet PZ = Puzzle SR = Social Responsible SW = Software TR = Travel TY = Toy VT = Video Tape

DrToy.com - Page 5

Dr. Toys Tips For Summer Time Fun
Dr. Toys Tips are guidelines for wholesome summer vacation playtime to make the time more balanced and fun for your child: 2. Arrange toys and playthings so they are easy to access and easy to store away. 3. Create a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities. 4. Be sure to create a good mix of indoor and outdoor play. 1. Locate a good variety of challenging products appropriate for age and interests.
Active - Smart Splash Memory Match Clams (Age 2- 12, $15.95) Learning Resources 800-222-3909 www.learningresources.com Construction Play - Tiny'n Tuff Off-Road Set Age 1 -5 $14.99 Mega Bloks 800-4656342 www.megabloks.com
Selected Smart Toys for Vacation Fun & Learning
5. Remind children that they should drink plenty of water during the summer time to avoid dehydration. 6. Children need rest, healthy snacks, safety awareness, instruction, and safe play. 7. Children should play with age appropriate products and proper supervision to avoid accidents.
8. Learning to prepare a simple recipe is practical fun for children including making sandwiches, scrambled eggs, or simple, healthy snacks. 9. Encourage children to learn how to make something useful like a craft project, or to learn to assemble a puzzle. 10. Express admiration for each accomplishment. Children thrive when their talents are recognized and nurtured.
Dramatic Play - Let's Pretend Grill-and-Go Camp Stove Age $29.99 Educational Insights 800-995-4436 www.educationalinsights.com Language Development Peacock Puppet Age 3 -7 $44 Folkmanis 800-654-8922 www.folkmanis.com
Dexterity - Tangle Jr. Age 3 and up $1.99 Tangle Toys 888829-3808 www.tangletoys.com
11. Gather an assortment of creative projects and various materials in a storage box along with easy-to-follow directions. Arrange an assortment of paper, glue, safety scissors, and magazines to easily cut pictures for collage and scrapbooks in an accessible box. Take time to do creative and fun projects with your child. 12. Projects that involve planting, making, or learning things have extra value. Plenty of great play ideas and products are available for all ages, interests, and skills to make Summertime Special, Safe and Satisfying.
Logical Thinking - Scramble Squares Puzzles, B. Dazzle (Ages 3 and up $8.95) 800-80942412 b-dazzle Math Skills - Magic Cauldron Age 5-8 $14.98 University Games 800-347-4818 www.ugames.com.
Mental Skills - Big Fish Lil' Fish Age 4 -12 $4.99 MGA Entertainment 800-222-4685 www.mgae.com Physical Dexterity - KAPLA Barrel $66 Age 3-12 KAPLA Toys 912-944-6296 www.kaplatoys.com

Strategy/Logic Development Sudoku Age 7 and up $19.99 Briarpatch800-232-7427 www.briarpatch.com

DrToy.com - Page 6

Dr. Toy's Best Childrens Vacation Products Program 2006 Report of the Best Products for Summertime Fun and Learning
This Program was created by noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy) to guide the purchase of safe, affordable, educationally oriented, and stimulating toys and products." As a childhood specialist," says Dr. Toy, Director, The Institute for Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, "I have seen the need for year-round resources to find the most appropriate, safe and engaging learning and developmental products. Summertime is a perfect time for toys and play. Dr.Toys Guide (www.drtoy.com) has been available to thousands of visitors daily from around the world who have access to the information. The site was the first on-line resource to evaluate toys and childrens products. The best play products are selected from companies across the U.S., Canada and other countries provide children with exciting tools that help them to play, develop skills, expand creativity and physical dexterity, prepare for school, and provide constructive activities. The winning products include innovative toys, games, books, videos, audiotapes, software/CD's, crafts, socially responsible and many other children's products. Dr. Auerbach believes parents and grandparents need help in locating new, diversified products that children will enjoy using while they increase learning skills, enhance instruction and expand creativity. Children learn best through play, says Dr. Auerbach, and these products encourage children to maximize their potentials. Vacation is a good time to take stock and do an inventory of what your child is playing with, what is not used and what they need next in their development. adds Dr. Toy. Our Guide offers excellent ideas for choosing new products for summertime so children have positive experiences during their vacation and are then better prepared for the falls return to school. Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Products were carefully chosen from among hundreds reviewed at toy fairs, catalogs, and through many other sources, and by using extensive criteria she has developed. Among the criteria are: safety, age-appropriateness, design, durability, lasting play value, cultural and ethnic diversity, good transition from home to school, educational value, learning skills, creativity, improvement in the understanding of the community and the world, good value for price, and, naturally, fun. In addition to the Best Vacation Products, Dr. Toys 100 Best Products," Best Classic Products Program and Smart Toys reports winning products that are affordable, well designed, and reflect a wide range of baby to older childrens interests. Best Vacation Products winners offering plenty of smart play include: b. dazzle- Covered Bridges, Fly Fishing and OuterBanks Scramble Square 9-Piece Puzzles, Blue Orange Games-CooCoo the Rocking Clown, Breyer- Animal Creations/Reeves IntlHorse Fun Party Pack for Six, Briarpatch- Sudoku, Cadaco-Buzztime Head-on Trivia Challenge, Carson Dellosa Publishing-Butterflies Life Cycles Dominoes, Center Enterprises- Ready 2 Learn Giant Stampers Alphabet Combo, WonderWorks Talking Picture Book, Discovery Toys Stargo, Dolly Adventures- Dolly Goes To The Beach, Educational Insights- Kanoodle, Let's Pretend Grill-and-Go Camp Stove, Magic Show! PlayFoam, Space Faces, Trail Mate Outdoor Adventure Tool, Elope- Double Cone Princess Pink , Folkmanis- Harbor Seal Puppet, Elephant, Peacock Puppet, Hooked on PhonicsHooked on Colors, Handwriting, Numbers, Shapes, International Playthings- Filo by Quercetti, Taggies Big Soft Blocks by Early Years, Kuleana Productions-Hawaiian Lei Making Kit, la Manzana Roja Mom, Dad & Me Apredemos Espaol, Learning Horizons- Big, Value, Fun Coloring & Activity, Leap Frog ABC Wipe Off Mat, Learning Resources, Pretend & Play Snack Shop, Smart Splash Memory Match Clams, World Treasure Hunt Mat, LEGO Systems, Grand Soccer Stadium, Made By HandsMake-Your-Own Masterpieces, Mega Bloks-Building Imaginations Small Bag of Maxi Blocks, Magnetix Magnetic Building Set, Tiny'n Tuff Off-Road Set, MGA EntertainmentCreature Mix, Mind Wing Concepts-GM Fun Pack, Rock 'N Learn-Alphabet Exercise Scholastic-Animal Genius, University GamesMagic Cauldron, Walter Foster Publishing-100 Feet of Fun: Drawing Animals, Fun with Manga,Wee Creation-Hip2Hop Hopscotch Kit. More on Program, Products, Companies, Resources and Dr. Toy see www.drtoy.com

DrToy.com - Page 7

SMART PLAY SMART TOY
Books to Guide Search For The Right Toy
See EducationalInsights.com For more information or to order books, call 800-995-4436 www.drtoy.com. The book is now available in English in India and the United States, Korean, Spanish and Thai. Soon it will be available in Indonesia, Israel and Croatia. For more information: www.drtoy.com
The book is now available in Korean, Spanish and Thai. For more information, see www.drtoy.com
See www. EducationalInsights.com For more information or to order books, call 800-995-4436
Many people think play is trivial, but it isn't, said Dr. Toy. Play is vital for the developing mind because it allows children to extend their imagination, resourcefulness, social interaction, problemsolving skills and resilience." The book helps parents navigate the thousands of toy and play options available, offers tips on how to evaluate toy safety, and provides 160 activities that enhance PQ. In addition, it identifies gender-specific and age-appropriate toys, important craft supplies for playtime and hundreds of ways to make play a life-long and nurturing experience. According to Jim Whitney, President of Educational Insights, Effective play produces a well-rounded child, ready to take on further learning challenges. We are very pleased to be involved in spreading the very popular and practical advice for which Dr. Toy is so well known. For copies of "Smart Play/Smart Toys" contact: www.EducationalInsights.com or call 4436 or see www.TheArk.com to order autographed copies.
Dr. Toy provides practical ideas to enhance playtime, for all children from baby to older children.
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach really understands children, play
children. Michael B. Rothenberg,M.D. Auerbach applies her scientific,but not preachy expertise to that challenge. She relies as much on common sense and parenting insight
amuse, stimulate, and activate children. Kathryn Carpenter Booklist, American Library Association Dr. Toys Smart Play Smart Toys is a great guide for anyone searching for the right toy for creative play, building developmental skills or for just plain fun. Its easy to use and well organized. Invaluable! Alice Bergman West Side Kids (ASTRA member), N.Y. C.

and toys. This book is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers and everyone who works and plays with
as on scholarly research to suggest toys ranging from brooms and plastic cups to books and watercolors to

Toys+Play = Smart Kids