Pick of the Day: I Spy Little Wheels and Little Animal Puzzles

Looking for a great way to build your child’s patience and ability to stick with a task?  Puzzles are a wonderful way to connect and talk about problem solving skills.  Give your child some strategies–“can we find all the flats?” “all the pieces that are green?”

The idea is to find puzzles that will build confidence. Save the 1,000 piece puzzles for you!  Some kids take to puzzles very easily–for others they are just pure frustrating…that usually means the puzzle is too hard.  This set from Briarpatch comes with four puzzles.  Our suggestion — take on the pieces out for one puzzle at a time and leave the rest in the box!  Read our complete review and shopping info on our site.

Also be sure to visit  Jean Marzollo’s website  (the author of the I Spy series). It’s chock full of activities for kids that are fun (and not a waste of their time or minds!).

Planning a Birthday Party? – Let Jean Marzollo show you the way

Visit Jeanmarzollo.com for really helpful information about planning birthday parties for kids…I especially like the list entitled “What Makes the Birthday Child Cry”.

My folks made wonderful parties for us. Themes were always big–pirates, cowboys ruled the day for my brothers.   I just remember the day being so special–the candy necklaces when I was smaller– and the elaborate origami party my Dad ran for my 10th birthday.  Many of my hometown facebook buddies still remember that one!

With my brother Tony and my new Steiff pony

With my brother Tony and my new Steiff pony

This from my 4th birthday–I wish I still had that pony (and that color hair!)