December Newsletter 2006
Dear Clients
2006 is finally slowing down to gentle trot! Isn’t it great to be able to press the snooze button on the alarm clock repeatedly? For those of you who are still in town and frantically trying to complete their Christmas shopping, I include a few last minute hints and tips which I hope you will find useful. We ended the year with a full Nuts & Bolts workshop which was packed with dozens of creative ideas for parents to use during their playtime with their 2 – 4 year olds. For those of you on the waiting list, I will run another one early in the new year. Thank you for your emails with your comments and feedback about how your play time and relationships with your children are changing and growing. That is why I do this work. We need to do whatever we can to connect with our children in a world full of noise & clutter.
CONNECT THE TOTS WORKSHOP
I will be running two Connect the Tots workshops in January on the 19th and 20th. Here is the synopsis, see the attachment for more details:
In a modern world where the winking, blinking, noisy varieties of toys get much of the attention, real active learning can be found in good old-fashioned construction toys, from wooden building blocks, to toys with nuts and bolts, the click together variety or even magnetic ones. Construction toys are a cornerstone of most toy stores just as they should be in every family home. And they are not just for boys either!
Construction toys lay wonderful foundations for problem solving and the development of pre-maths, -writing and –reading skills. After this fascinating one hour workshop which explains the importance of “putting together and taking apart”, you will never look at a packet of Jelly Tots or a bag of wooden building blocks in the same way again!
SHOPPING TIPS
1. LEAP PAD INFO
ToyZone in Woodmead, received a new shipment of Leap Pads recently, for littlies up to about the age of 5. They also have a wide selection of electronic books and games to go with the Leap Pads.
The Toy Shop (this is the name of the shop) in Clearwater Mall (next door to Woolies) also has a comprehensive range of this product including the handheld Leapster for 6 year olds and up. Their prices, however, are much higher than previously seen at Toyzone or Toys R Us. Phone around and check your prices before going all the way there.
2. MEGA SKETCHERS
Checkers Hypermarket has MegaSketchers selling for R149.99. Elsewhere they retail for about R199.99. Great for those long distance trips in the car.
3. PRIDDY BOOKS
CNA in Sandton City has stock of this gorgeous and well-priced range of books for 0 – 4s.
4. CRAZY CLAY
This was one of the items in the Toy Talk goodie bag. It is back in stock and can be found at Pick ‘n Pay, for R49.99.
5. AIR HOGS STORM LAUNCHER
For the best price of R999.90, get this from Toys R Us. It is R1 299.00 in most other shops.
6. MESS FREE MAGIC FINGER PAINTS
This popular product has been spotted at Northgate Hypermarket for R99.00.
7. ART ON THE MOVE
An art set / fold out desk in a zip up bag that attaches to the back of the front seats of the car. A hot seller this time last year for families who were travelling. CNA has lots of stock for R99.99.
8. THE PLASTIC WAREHOUSE
Well worth a visit. Situated in the Fourways Value Mart (opposite the Snowscapes). Pick up plastic storage containers of all shapes and sizes if you are sorting our your child’s toys this holiday, as well as lots of plastic goodies that would make fun inexpensive stocking fillers such as spray bottles (also good for fine motor co-ordination), and more.
Have a wonderful December with your families. Use the time to play as much as possible. Fill that emotional bank with lost of fun experiences.
Best wishes
NIKKI BUSH
The Bright Ideas Outfit
083 265 5754
brightideas@powerpt.co.za
www.brightideasoutfit.com
