Kids Will Have Fun Learning to Code with the New Code & Learn Ladybug from The Learning Journey International (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Are your children being introduced to coding in school, or as part of their homeschooling curriculum?  My husband is a computer programmer, so he has been teaching the girls coding with computer games, as well as hands on coding products...and, the girls love it!  Coding was never a thing back when we were young, so it is nice to see schools and families including programming and coding as part of their child's education.  

We do a lot of school work online, I am always looking for non-screen programs and games to use with the girls, that is more hands on, but still fun.  Thanks to the folks at The Learning Journey International, my girls have been having fun with their new Code and Learn! Ladybug.  

Here is a little more about this easy to use (you don't need to be a computer programmer or computer savvy to teach your kids how to code) coding program, which is perfect for kids ages 5+.

"The new Code & Learn Ladybug will introduce kids to basic programming and coding in a simple and fun way!  The Code & Learn Ladybug has two modes of play.  In the first mode, children use the coding cards to input directional ques into the remote control that will code the bug to land on the correct colored square within the grid map. Once the coding is completed, hit green to go. The coder will know if he or she has programmed correctly when the antennae of the ladybug light up with the color that corresponds to the coding card. The second mode allows children to “drive” the remote-control playmate around for free-wheeling fun."

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I have been a fan of The Learning Journey International and their educational toys and games since I was given toys for my oldest daughter, almost eight years ago.  And, now whenever I plan a new school year, are looking for educational gifts to give the girls at the holidays, or for gifts for family and friends with little ones, The Learning Journey International is one of the first places I visit online, as I know their products are top notch and will not be played with a couple times by the kids and then put aside.  My girls are still playing with games and toys they received a few Christmas' ago from The Learning Journey International, as they are so much fun, and grow with your kids.

As far as this new Code and Learn! Ladybug, my girls loved how quick and easy it was to set up the program, and loved being able to follow the coding cards to make the ladybug move around the mat    They also liked how the antenna on the ladybug's head would light up if they were right.  

There were a few times the girls got a little frustrated as the ladybug wasn't going in the right direction, but my girls worked together to enter the right directional ques into the remote control, and then were all smiles when the ladybug went where they wanted it to go.  

We were recently on vacation and I told the the girls that they could bring a couple games and toys with them, and they both asked to bring the Code and Learn! Ladybug.  They really wanted to show their grandparents it, and how they could program the ladybug to move around.  My parents were in awe that the girls were coding and programming with such ease, and loved seeing them with great big smiles as they correctly programmed each directional sequence.  

All you have to do is input the directional sequences into the remote -- then watch the ladybug move about the mat.

No reading required, making this a great intro to coding for young children

Who knew coding could be so much fun?  But, with products like this one, kids will find the fun in coding and programming and it will not feel like school or a learning program, but instead a fun game/program that they will easily grasp and be off and running with.

We have only had the Code and Learn! Ladybug for a few weeks, but it has become a staple in my girls' daily play.  Usually I find them pulling it out in the AM and playing with it.  

Or, when my husband gets home and asks if they want to do some coding, they opt for this over the computer programming/coding programs he usually does with them.  They both agree that they prefer this hands on coder over sitting and staring at a computer screen. And, you know what, I don't blame them.  I have been watching them and love seeing them so engaged, and helping each other out when they are struggling.  

With the holidays fast approaching, I would highly recommend the Code and Learn! Ladybug for families with young children who are showing an interest in coding, or have been doing a little coding online.  This would also be a great gift to surprise your child' classroom with, as it will provide hours of fun for kids, as they learn to code the cute ladybug and see it move all around the mat.  And, if ladybugs aren't your child's thing, the folks at The Learning Journey International also have a fun new Code & Learn Space Ship.  

"The new Code & Learn Space Ship operates in a similar fashion to the Ladybug. The coder will know if he or she has programmed correctly when the cockpit of the Space Ship light up with the color that corresponds to the coding. If it matches the card, they are correct!"

---BUY NOW---

Code & Learn Ladybug and Space Ship retail for $39.99 at many major retailers and specialty stores nationwide and at The Learning Journey International

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Stay up-to-date on new products, special offers and deals, giveaways and more by following The Learning Journey on their social media channels before:

• The Learning Journey on Facebook: @learningjourney
• The Learning Journey on Twitter: @LearningJourney
• The Learning Journey on Instagram: @the_learning_journey

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Baby University Books are the Best and Easiest Way to Introduce Kids of All Ages (and Even Grownups) to Big Ideas and #STEM Learning (Review) @Sourcebooks

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

If you follow my blog then you know that I homeschool my two girls.  Right now they are doing third and forth grade work.  One of their favorite subjects is science, so I am always looking for books to pick up and read to them as part of our schooling to get them even more excited about science, as we all know the field of science is populated by a lot of women.  My hope is to show them that if they want to pursue a job in the science field, that they can do it, even if they are a girl.

I am always scouring the Internet and bookstore shelves looking for books for kids about science.  And, sometimes I am sent emails from publishers sharing new book releases for kids that fit the bill.  A couple of months ago, the folks at Source Books reached out and asked if I wanted to check out their  Baby University books.  At first, I thought these books would be too young for my girls based on the name of the series. But, after researching them further online I saw that these books, written by Chris Ferrie, who is also an award-wining physicist with a PhD in Applied Mathematics, were written with three levels of learning in mind.  Level 1 was for baby basics, level 2 was for toddler time and level 3 was for older kids who wanted to learn more.  After learning this, I jumped at the opportunity to review and share a sampling of the books with my girls.

I was sent the following books all about science by Chris Ferrie:

My girls first noticed the Baby University logo on the back of the books and were wondering why I was sharing baby board books with them. But, then when we sat to read them together, they could see that they were advanced in the content, and depending on the child's age, they can take in and comprehend the scientific content differently.   I had saved these books for last month as we were doing a whole month about rocket science, quantum physics and the ABC's of Science, and I knew that they books would be perfect to share at the end of each week to review and discuss what we had learned earlier in the week.

My girls really enjoyed these books.  They loved how the content was written so that they could understand it, and loved how their were illustrations to go along with the text, to help them better understand everything.  On the back of the book there is a phrase, "It only takes a spark to ignite a child's mind," and these books do a great job in getting kids of all ages excited about science.

"Ferrie says, "These books are breaking the rules of age-appropriate learning. For decades, we have taught our children about farm animals and construction equipment―things some children may never see in real life. Meanwhile, children are holding supercomputers in their hands and we are not teaching them about science or technology. We teach our children to say lengthy words like hippopotamus—why not teach them to say proton, neutron, or electron?""

I joked with my girls that they were rocket scientists after what we learned in our homeschooling and after reading Chris Ferrie's books.  They looked at me, and said that they needed to study further to be as good as the author and the rocket scientists of the world.  But, thanks to what they learned thus far, they are excited about science and want to learn more. Kids' brains really are like sponges, and they are always eager to learn and absorb all the information you are willing to share with them.  That is one reason why reading to your children, especially at bed time is a must, as they will develop a lifelong long for reading, get to enjoy quiet quality time with you, and will usually learn something new based on a book you share with them, or have their imaginations sparked because of the story line.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future Chris Ferrie releases, and have since picked up his other books in the Baby University series to share with my girls.  We recently finished reading the Quantum Computing book, which my girls loved, as my husband is teaching them coding.  He is a computer programming, so he gets excited when the girls want to learn about computers, and show an interest in coding and programming, which are two passions of his.

If you love sharing fun educational books with your children -- babies through young readers -- and they show an interest in STEM, then you want to check out Chris Ferrie's Baby University science books for kids.  Once you read them with your children, you will see why we were instant fans, and can't wait to grow our book collection.

Check out these recent April/May releases in the series

MORE TO COME:

ABCs of Biology (June 2018)

Evolution for Babies (June 2018)

Astrophysics for Babies (July 2018)

8 Little Planets (October 2018)

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About the Author:

Chris Ferrie, the author of the series, is an award-wining physicist with a PhD in Applied Mathematics. He is also the father of four budding young scientists. Chris originally wrote and self-published Quantum Physics for Babies and Rocket Science for Babies as a way to each his children science and technology concepts early. Ferrie believes introducing babies & toddlers to math and science promotes literacy in these subjects when they encounter them in school. 

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Kids Will Have a Blast Building, Inventing, Creating and Discovering with the New Smithsonian Maker Lab Book -- Includes 28 Super Cool Projects (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

As seen on “The Late Late Show with James Corden”

Buy now in hardcover from Amazon for only $13.24

Whenever we make a stop at the bookstore, or I find myself looking for new books to our homeschool library, I am drawn the STEM books.  STEM  stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and is being taught more and more in schools and even after-school programs.  Kids learn best with hands on projects and experiments, and STEM education is all about that -- getting kids to learn about math and science especially in a fun and innovative way.  

I have shared in the past about my homeschooling adventures with the girls and how they both have different styles of learning that I have to cater to.  But, they both have interests in math, science and technology and learn best with hands on learning.  So, this book especially caught my eye when I first read about it, as a great learning tool to incorporate into our homeschooling.

Here is more about this book, which contains 28 kid-safe and easy to do projects and crafts. These activities are a great introduction to children who may not have yet been exposed to STEM learning.  And, for those who have and love this type of learning, they will love this book and all that it has to offer.

More about this book:

"Supporting STEM education initiatives and the maker movement, the National Parenting Publication Award-winner Maker Lab includes 28 kid-safe projects and crafts that will get young inventors' wheels turning and make science pure fun.

Each step-by-step activity is appropriate for kids ages 8–12, and ranked easy, medium, or hard, with an estimated time frame for completion. Requiring only household materials, young makers can build an exploding volcano, race balloon rocket cars, construct a solar system, make a lemon battery, and more. Photographs and facts carefully detail the "why" and "how" of each experiment using real-world examples to provide context so kids can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles applied.

With a foreword by Jack Andraka, a teen award-winning inventor, Maker Lab will help kids find their inner inventor and create winning projects for school projects, science fairs, and beyond."

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Like I mentioned, this book has 28 projects and crafts for your curious child to complete.  Activities include drawing a secret map using invisible ink you make to watching a plant grow into a both -- both activities which I have down already with my girls and they have loved.  We also hoisted a weight with a water wheel and just the other day made our very own dazzling kaleidoscopes, which my girls plan to make more of and give as gifts to their friends this holiday season.  

One of the reasons I love homeschooling is that I am able to do fun projects and activities like the ones in this book, that play up to the strengths and interests of my two girls.  Every time we pick a STEM activity from this book, their eyes light up and they are eager to sit down at the table and complete the activity, while also talking about how things work.  Parents and grandparents who pick up this STEM-based learning book will be happy to know that each of the 28 projects and crafts are laid out with easy to follow along instructions with photos, so you are not guessing how to complete a project.  You are also told what you need for supplies -- many of which you will have laying around the house.  

I can't stop raving about this book to fellow homeschoolers and friends who have kids in public school, who love STEM learning like my girls.  What is better than asking your child how something works and then sitting down at the table and completing a project where you can be see it in action.  This book would make for a great gift to wake up to on Christmas morning.  Older kids will be able to grab this book and supplies needed for each activity and explore on their own. But, once you take a look at this book, you will want to do these fun activities and crafts as a family.  What better way to spend quality family time and bond than over learning using this fun STEM-based learning book?  We absolutely love this book, and I know your family will, too!

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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