Let's Build a Word

Do you guys know this program on PBS? This is one of Clay's and Brooklyn's favorite shows. When the music starts, they come running into the family room to watch. And you know what? I'm glad. Not only does this show not drive me bonkers like some of the stuff they like to watch, but I know it's teaching them something of value. (I mean, I learned half of what I know from watching shows like Sesame Street when I was a kid!) Really though, a study funded by the U.S. Department of Education found that WordWorld significantly strengthens early literacy skills in preschoolers, providing the building blocks essential for learning how to read.

WordWorld brings words to life in a unique way. For example, if the word is BARN, they show a picture of a barn made up of the letters B, A, R, & N.

Children learn to make the connection between words and the objects they represent.

This study demonstrated that children doubled their oral vocabulary skills of words featured in WordWorld, they tripled their ability to read specific words featured and built in WordWorld, and even children in disadvantaged households where English is a second language showed gains in phonemic awareness, as well as oral vocabulary and reading words featured in WordWorld.

All I know, is my kids like it and now Target carries Word World toys and DVDs! Last year, the kids got a set of Word World modeling dough with word molds. This stuff is cool because the dough is fruit scented and fun to squish into the molds - yellow, banana scented dough for the banana mold, purple, grape scented dough for the grapes mold, etc. The containers of dough and the molds fit in a plastic picnic basket for easy clean-up and storage.

They also have Moon Sand sets with fun word molds. Kids love to play with this stuff! I think mainly because it's messy. There are many magnetic playsets which are terrific for on-the-go fun. Just fold them up and take along. Your kids can play with them in the doctor's office waiting rooms, in the car, and at restaurants. There are also Word World magnetic plush toys, puzzles, AquaPix, and more! You can check them out HERE.

I have a Word World Moon Sand set to give away to one winner. Leave me a comment here and I'll draw a random winner on Saturday, December 20.