Rocking and Learning! GIVEAWAY!

Maybe over the summer, you've tried to get your children interested in doing a little bit of "school-like" work, just to keep them fresh, and to help them to not forget what they learned last school year. If you were as successful as I've been, it hasn't happened very often! :) Your kids complained, whined, found millions of excuses, and really, you had to agree, that workbook just wasn't much fun!

This summer, as well as a couple of school-ish books, we also had a couple of new DVDs to watch from Rock 'n Learn.  The idea behind Rock 'n Learn's materials is to help children learn through a multi-sensory approach, using styles of music that appeal to kids. From their first program dealing with multiplication facts, they've progressed to offering programs for many subject areas and age groups, available in CD, DVD and iPad apps. Something I really like about Rock 'n Learn is that their team is composed of an educational psychologist, an electrical engineer and accomplished musician and a teacher, as well as many others of course!

We received 2 DVDs from Rock 'n Learn: Sight Words and Letter Sounds. As you look through the many CDs and DVDs available, the preview videos are helpful for making the right choice!

Sight Words was right on track for Jonathan, who has just finished Kindergarten and is starting to read and write. As a teacher, I hesitate to focus on lists of words that are commonly used, without some sort of sense behind the words. What I really liked about this DVD was that the words are presented in context. Throughout each little scenario, the words are repeated several times, both in print and audibly, which reinforces learning. As well, there are several "audience participation" activities - where the child watching gets to read the sentence for example, before the character reads it. Jonathan found this to be exciting and frustrating - he couldn't always complete the sentence in time, and got a bit discouraged.

Letter Sounds is a bit advanced for Daniel (turning 3 this fall), but the way it's presented, it's still entertaining for him. He recognizes about half the letters of the alphabet, so learning the sounds they make is definitely a next step for him. The "speed" at which this DVD progresses was much too slow for Jonathan, although he liked the music, but perfect for Daniel, who often chooses to watch this DVD when he gets a turn! After a brief presentation of the alphabet, the DVD helps children to learn the most common sound each letter makes. Through various activities, these sounds associated with letters are reinforced. As Daniel was watching, I could hear him repeating phrases and bits of songs!

Both DVDs are great for kids to watch on their own, but even more effective if you watch along. As a parent/caregiver, you know which things to casually point out in everyday life, and you can also pause and explain as the video progresses, if you see that your child needs extra time to process what is being taught.

WIN IT!

Rock 'n Learn is giving one Glimpse reader their choice of CD or DVD! To enter, please visit Rock 'n Learn and comment on a title that interests you.

Giveaway open to Canadian and US residents and ends on August 30, 2011.





BUY IT!

Rock 'n Learn items are available through their webstore and retailers. Canadians can order through KidSource  and Scholar's Choice as well as several retailers in BC and Ontario. US residents (contiguous US only) can use coupon code JQ7711 to receive a 25% discount on their entire purchase.

**Disclosure: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.