Trying to Teach Kids Life Lessons? On Netflix Canada, There’s an “Ep” for That! #StreamTeam

May 16, 2016 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

With both my boys in grade school, I’m always amazed to see how much they’re learning every day. Benjamin has almost mastered reading and has a great grasp of basic math concepts, while Zackary has started learning multiplication, division and paragraph structure. Yet some of the most important skills and lessons my boys have to learn are ones that are never taught in a classroom. From the importance of being honest to dealing with peer pressure, finding ways to explain and develop my boys’ life skills is no easy task!

Luckily, with Netflix, there’s an “ep” for that! Some of the most popular children’s programs on Netflix Canada are also ones that can help kids learn valuable life lessons. Wondering what episodes are best suited to your child’s needs? Here’s some suggestions to help you get started!

For Younger Kids

Sibling Rivalry – Watch The Hive Ep. S1E1: Babee’s Room

Buzzabee and Rubee compete over who Babee (their new sibling) gets to room with. Mom and dad must explain to Buzzabee and Rubee that Babee needs to grow up before she can share a room. [Read more…]

The M is for Money Book Series Helps Teach Kids Basic Money Management-Giveaway

March 28, 2016 by Kathryn 37 Comments

With tax season in full swing, money is something on the minds of a lot of adults right now. Good money management is one of those essential life skills that helps create future success but sadly, it’s a skill that most people never learn. Ideally, I think that money management should be taught in schools. But since that’s not currently done, I do want to make sure that my boys understand money so that they can be responsible with their finances both now and in the future.

That’s why I love the M is for Money book series and website! I had the chance to review the first three books in the series when they debuted last year, and I loved the way that these books used simple, kid-friendly concepts to explain money and its uses to kids. Now, the series has a total of nine books available and I couldn’t wait to see what my boys thought of the newer titles. I received books four, five and six to review and sat down to read them with my boys.

[Read more…]

Help Your Child Develop Crucial Financial Literacy Skills with M is for Money Books and Resources-Giveaway #MisforMoney

October 27, 2015 by Kathryn 40 Comments

Sometimes it amazes me to think about just how much there is for me to teach my children. From basic, everyday skills like tying shoes to more complex concepts like social responsibility, the school system just scratches the surface. And one of the things that I’m most determined to teach my boys is financial literacy. With approximately three-quarters of Canadians living in debt, I know just how important money management skills are for my boys to learn. But how do I start teaching them, at just nine and six, the basics of finances?

A new book series has the answer, and for any Canadian parent that wants to teach their child financial literacy, it’s a great kid-friendly way to introduce the topic. M is for Money has one simple goal…to teach the basics of money management in a fun, kid-friendly way. The book series’ two main characters, Tessa and Benji, share their own experience making and saving money. As they get their first payment for helping with chores, learn about saving for special things and open their first bank accounts, kids can follow along with the journey to learn about money!

[Read more…]

Ever After High’s 5 Tips to Help Teach Children About Second Chances-Giveaway #PlayAdvocate

October 15, 2015 by Kathryn 74 Comments

When my oldest son was in Grade One, there was a little boy named Timmy that was a bit of a bully to him. Timmy had been going to classes with Zackary since they were both in preschool, and I’d seen the boy’s rude behaviour for myself when helping out in the class. It was hard knowing what advice to give my son about Timmy, but I did tell him that Timmy likely just hadn’t learned proper manners yet, and that Zackary should pity him rather than be angry with him.

As it happened, Timmy did just need some experience in social situations. As the youngest in his family, he had clearly been spoiled. But a few years of following rules and learning about fairness at school made a world of difference. Now, Timmy is a pleasant and popular boy that gets along with everyone at school and is one of Zackary’s good friends. Thank goodness everyone was willing to give him a second chance! If your child is dealing with a difficult friend or classmate, Ever After High has five tips to help you teach your child about the importance of second chances.

Lead by Example

There will be times as a parent where the right thing to do is offer your little one a second chance. Forgetting to take out the trash, complete a small homework assignment or return home in time for dinner are all small mistakes a child will make. Instead of serving a punishment right away, try offering a second chance. This way your little one can see firsthand the benefits of being given a second chance and what it’s an important thing to do with others. [Read more…]

Help Your Child Learn to Read with the Little Champion Reader Kit-Giveaway

January 28, 2014 by Kathryn 94 Comments

I am passionate about the importance of childhood literacy and the role that early education can play in creating successful readers. As an avid reader myself, I am determined to help my children grow to be strong readers as well and luckily for me, there are so many fabulous tools and materials available to help me with that goal. Recently the creator of the Little Champion Reader kit contacted me about reviewing her innovative three-in-one system and with Benjamin at the perfect age to start developing some basic literacy skills, I was only too happy to oblige.

This kit is colourful, beautiful and incredibly complete. It includes nine DVDs, fifteen sliding flashcards, fifteen phonics books and three blank flashcards with a dry erase pen. The kit even includes a bonus CD featuring more than 150 free printable worksheets! Benjamin and I sat down to examine the kit together and see what the contents were like.

[Read more…]

Anna’s Budget Tips-Ways to Make Saving Fun for the Whole Family

June 5, 2013 by Kathryn 3 Comments

Rainy day funds, retirement accounts, college savings…they are all part of responsible financial planning, but allocating money towards them doesn’t always feel that exciting. Teaching children to save will serve them well throughout their lifetimes and sticking to a budget is much easier when all members of the family are on board. But how can you make the idea of saving interesting, or even fun?

family saving tips

The Family Fun Jar

Designate a large jar or other container as the holding zone for money that is being saved for something special for the family to purchase or experience together. Decide as a family what this highly targeted fund will go towards…it could be a vacation, video game system or new bikes. When I was little our family spent the accumulated savings in our jar on an above ground pool.

Here’s how it works: money goes into the jar when you pass on spending money in favour of saving. Thinking of ordering pizza? Stick the cash in the jar and have cereal or PB ‘n Js instead. Kids begging for the latest toy, movie or treat? Offer them the choice to put the money the treat would cost in the jar instead. Extra change found in pockets, couch cushions and the floor of the car can go in the jar too. The idea is that the money that goes into the jar comes out of the amounts already budgeted to other discretionary spending; try not to spend as normal and then stick an additional amount into the jar.

Prefer not to have all that cash around? Like so much of banking and finances these days, you can also keep this Family Fun Savings electronic. Keep a record on paper or in a spreadsheet of the amounts saved, and then once a month transfer the total into a special savings account set up for this purpose. [Read more…]

Teach My All-in-One Kits for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers Build Valuable Early Learning Skills-Giveaway

May 22, 2013 by Kathryn 130 Comments

I am a big believer in the importance of reading and math. Zackary and I used to spend lots of time playing with letters and numbers, talking about the ways they go together and building some of the early learning skills that would lead to reading, writing and mathematics proficiency in the future. Now, at three-years-old, Benjamin is reaching that same age when building some basic early learning skills will help him in the future.

Teach My is a Canadian-based company started by momtrepreneur Christy Cook that specializes in helping children build those important early-learning skills. I first learned about the original Teach My Toddler kits during a feature on my favourite show, Dragon’s Den, back in 2008. Since then, the company has expanded its line of early learning kits to include a Teach My Baby kit and a Teach My Preschooler kit as well as offering individual learning kits for reading, writing, numbers, letters and more.

teachy my preschooler kit [Read more…]