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See
our Current Gift Guide
Preschoolers can be the easiest
to shop for--they are wide-eyed and enthusiastic about almost any
new toy they unwrap. But if parents want that initial excitement
to last beyond Christmas morning, it is wise to shop around. When it comes
to toys and software, any parent will agree that there are wiser
choices than others--toys that entertain and educate at the same
time are ideal. Often, though, some of the best gifts are toys
that inspire imagination and encourage So, while electronic
teaching aids can be fantastic, tubs of paints and wooden blocks
are priceless.
| ABCs
and 123s |
There are some
truly outstanding products available that help acquaint kids
with the building blocks of reading and math.
 Top
Pick LeapFrog has raised the bar
in the electronic learning toy department. Its fantastic
LeapPad series is case in point. In many ways, this
electronic pad plays like
an electronic storybook software program, with the added
convenience of portability. Kids use a touch-sensitive pen
to interact with special books they place on the pad. This
toy is supported by a large--and growing--library of books
available that teach early reading, math, music, and science
skills. [Buy LeapPad
at Amazon.com for approximately $50 US]
 Top
Pick A very portable and
exciting toy that teaches lowercase letters, letter sounds,
and simple spelling is also by LeapFrog--Leap's Phonics
Pond. This electronic toy features each letter of the
alphabet atop lily pads, and six modes determine how a child
plays with the toy. For electronic learning in almost
any room of the house (not just the computer room) and on
the go, this toy is hard to beat. Leap's Phonics Pond
will help teach your little ones the alphabet--and some of
the cool words it can make. [Buy
Leap's
Phonics Pond at Amazon.com for approximately $20 US]
 Older
preschoolers who are ready to write letters and numbers will
benefit from, and enjoy, both the Phonics Writing Desk,
which teaches the letters of the alphabet, letter sounds,
and three-letter words, and the Count and Learn Number
Desk, which features the numbers 1 through 20, addition,
and subtraction. Each desk has an erasable writing screen
that is similar in function to a Magnadoodle, and an
attached pen. Children are shown the numbers and letters on
a small LCD screen, and are asked to copy them by writing
directly on the toy's writing screen. Many preschoolers will
not be ready for the higher levels on these toys, but when
set to the beginning levels, these toys have a lot to teach. [Buy
Count
and Learn Math Desk or Phonics
Writing Desk at Amazon.com for approximately $30 US
each]
 There's
something satisfying about wooden puzzles. With the ABC
Puzzle: Upper & Lower Case, kids refine motor skills
as they learn the alphabet. While there are plenty of
alphabet puzzles on the market, this one is especially educational.
It features letter pairs--both upper and lower case wooden
letters--that fit into the puzzle tray. As well, this puzzle
is of the "see-inside" variety. Pictures of
objects that start with each letter are "hiding"
behind, which opens up opportunities for caregivers to
reinforce letter sounds with little learners. [Buy ABC
Puzzle: Upper & Lower Case at Amazon.com for
approximately $15 US]
|
| Software
Games that are Sure to Please |
 Top
Pick Thomas & Friends
Railway Adventures CD-ROM Playset is a very cute
program! The colorful playset fits atop most Windows
keyboards, and preschoolers use it to steer Thomas along virtual
railway tracks onscreen. The playset features a working
throttle, switch, and whistle, as well as a large Thomas
button. There are four fun activities to play that involve
kids with filling "work orders". [Buy Thomas and Friends Railway Adventures...
at Amazon.com]
 Top
Pick Fisher Price Little People Discovery
Airport
is a wonderful choice for younger preschoolers. Kids get to
help place pets into their carriers, sort luggage, and more.
This is a surprisingly fun game with gorgeous screens. See
our screenshot
gallery for a closer look at this excellent program, as
well as our full review.
[Buy Fisher-Price
Little People Airport at Amazon.com for approximately
$20 US]
 Older preschoolers will get
a big kick out of the latest Clifford the Big Red Dog
program. Clifford Learning Activities takes kids on a
mission--to help make the lovable dog a star in a magazine. [Buy
Clifford the Big Red Dog Learning...
at Amazon.com for approximately $19.99 US]
Alphabet is an unusual, visually
and musically interesting program. It presents a
playful and inspired way for kids to interact with the
letters of the alphabet. The program is artistic and off the beaten
track--parents will love it as much as their kids. [Buy
Alphabet
at Amazon.com for approximately
$19.99 US]
|
| Books
& Music |
A book with the
title The Most Incredible Outrageous Packed-to-the-Gills
Bulging-at-the Seams Sticker Book You've Ever Seen has a
lot to live up to. Fortunately, it does just that. More than 450
stickers are included, and can be used on the pages of the
book in a variety of ways. Kids love stickers--the more the
better. Naturally, they'll love this "packed-to-the
gills" sticker book, and will be busy with it for
hours. [Buy The Most Incredible, Outrageous,...
at Amazon.com for approximately $9-11 US]
 Top
Pick Both the first and second Ralph's World
recordings are absolutely fantastic for the preschool set
(and beyond!). The whole family will adore the winning songs
in either of the titles: Ralph's World and Ralph's
World: At the Bottom of the Sea.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Ralph's World
or At
the Bottom of the Sea at Amazon.com]
Top
Pick Delight your preschoolers
with a refreshing musical recording that features rousing,
kid-friendly chants from across the globe. Katherine Dines'
Hunk-ta-Bunk-ta Chants is as fun as it sounds. Kids--and
their parents--will be tickled. [See our review.
Buy Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta
CHANTS at Amazon.com]
|
| Video
|
 Top
Pick An
ideal video for getting kids settled at night is The Very
Hungry Caterpillar. Most parents are familiar with the
book by Eric Carle. This lovely video features that classic
as well as other stories from the author. This title is
quiet and sweet, yet eye-catching. The musical
interpretations of the stories are just as exceptional as
the animations. This video comes complete with gentle and
effective lessons about the days of the week, counting, and
early science. But it does even better when it tugs at
children's imagination and delivers subtle messages about
the beauty of the world. Young preschoolers will enjoy this
video, and parents can take the learning a step further by
reading the books away from the television.
[Buy Very
Hungry Caterpiller at Amazon.com]
|
| Magazine |
 Preschoolers
will get a present in the mail 8 times a year with a gift
subscription to the wonderful magazine, Preschool
Playroom. Featuring favorite characters like Spot, Maisy,
Bear in the Big Blue House, and Blue, this magazine will
delight little learners with activities and write-in
workbook pages. Preschoolers will feel extra special
receiving mail that's just for them, throughout the year.
[Sign up for a subscription to Preschool
Playroom at
Amazon.com]
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