Jumpin-Beans

April is Autism Awareness month and I wanted to share this with you. Make sure you tune in April 6th to watch Dinosaur Train and #MeetDennis!   LEARNING TO BE CURIOUS Lessons from The Jim Henson Company’s Dinosaur Train on PBS KIDS by Stephanie E. Meyer, Ph.D. The Dinosaur Train creative team contacted me to be an advisor when they were developing a new character who would serve as a challenge for Buddy the T-Rex in their new episode “Junior Conductor Academy” (check your local listings). Buddy, whom they described as a “super nice, positive guy,” was going to have to adjust to being put “out of his comfort zone by another kid named Dennis who beats him at every turn.” “Oh, and we’re thinking that maybe Dennis has autism.” they said. I loved the idea that Dennis’ autism was beside the point. As a child psychologist, the most exciting part to me is that the episode isn’t about Dennis having special needs, in fact, it’s an episode about  friendship, understanding, a...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. *** POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS *** When Broxton was younger, we loved Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. I loved Mister Rogers as a child, so I know the hint of nostalgia was a big reason we started watching.  Even now, we still "ugga mugga" at times (if you don't know about ugga mugga, you need to watch an episode!) and it always makes my heart happy.  I am so excited that they have new DVD's coming out, so we can fall in love all over again watching with Savannah! Super Daniel - Feb 2, 2016  “ SUPER DANIEL!”  will be available on DVD starting February 2, 2016. The DVD has a run time of approximately 110 minutes and an SRP of $12.99. The “ SUPER DANIEL! ” DVD includes the stories below. “...

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. If you are looking for a great gift for the preschool age, look no further!  S has always been a channel we have loved and I am quite sure it saved me a bit of sanity from time to time!   From Sid the Science Kid to Caillou, Daniel Tiger to Dinosaur Train... There was always something Broxton could watch and I was always confident it was a great show for him!   Just in time for Christmas, PBS has released a couple gift sets to make gift giving even easier for you! Check it out!     Caillou is a 4-year-old boy who delights in the small wonders of the world around him, embellishing everything he sees with his rich imagination. Thanks to his vivid imagination, ordinary, everyday events quickly become exciting adventures in ...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. As a child, I was a huge fan of Mr. Rogers neighborhood, so it was only meant to be that I was going to be so excited when I heard of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.  Have you heard of it? Long story short- (This is totally my opinion... so don't go thinking this was stated anywhere besides here)  If you were a fan of Mr. Rogers, you remember how he would put his shoes on, hang up his sweater and how he had that adorable trolley???  Well, now- we have Daniel Tiger, who also puts his shoes on, wears a red sweater ... and get this - HE RIDES THE TROLLEY.    The characters are actually off-springs of the characters we loved from the original show. You can " meet the characters " and see just what I m...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. If you are looking for a great gift to give kids of all ages, PBS Kids has just the thing for you...  Wild Kratts: Wildest Animal Adventures was released in September and I am thinking it is going to be under many trees this holiday season!   DVD:  What better way to learn about cool creatures and science than to  go on an around the world adventure with Martin and Chris Kratt!  In this new set, featuring 20 episodes full of adventure, mystery  and laugh-out-loud-comedy, kids will learn about natural history  and witness many never-before seen wildlife moments. From  discovering the secret of the Draco lizard’s gliding abilities in  “Flight of the D...

Broxton is starting to venture out more as far as having new "favorites" but I do not think that cars, trains and dinosaurs are going anywhere anytime soon!  He was so excited when he looked into the package that arrived the other day... He spotted Buddy and knew that he had a new Dinosaur Train DVD to watch.   Well, we finally were able to watch it and it did not disappoint! From the educational stand point to the fun of learning and the music... How can you NOT love the Dinosaur Train? The DVD starts out with Buddy, Shiny, Tiny and Don trying to figure out what to get their mom for her birthday... They discuss cleaning the nest... One mentions scrubbing their feet, since Mom always wants them too... but dad comes along and tells them of a big surprise he has in store... Well, typical young kid fashion... the secret slips out almost as soon as mom gets home... So, they go ahead and tell her of her birthday surprise...  A ride on the Dinosaur Train as...

Whenever Broxton is watching Dinosaur Train, I catch myself singing their theme song...  Marc even plays it for Broxton from time to time just to hear him sing it!!! I know that whenever Dinosaur Train is on, he will enjoy watching a great show and I will learn about all the different species!  (I like when Dr. Scott talks and tries to explain more.) We were recently sent the latest Dinosaur Train DVD, Big, Big, Big . In this DVD, they have set out to go on a Big Dinosaur Week..  Loading up on the Dinosaur Train each day to visit a new BIG dinosaur. Mr. Conductor told the kids about the top 5 biggest dinosaurs, so each day is a new species... I really liked how they were talking about how one of the dinosaurs was to big to ride the dinosaur train, so they discussed NOT talking about it in front of him, as they did not want him to feel uncomfortable. Another time, Buddy was feeling down and out, as he really wanted to be around another T-R...

Up next for Easter from Mr. Easter Bunny ( I have to think that Mrs. E.B. has to help out with some of this!):   One of Broxton's favorite shows:  Dinosaur Train!  Think about it, he loves Dinosaurs... and Trains... so, this is pretty good for a mix of both! SYNOPSIS: What can be better than a basket full of Easter eggs? How about a train full of dinosaur eggs! Buddy and his Pteranodon family set off for new adventures as they encounter baby hatchlings and dinosaur eggs of all shapes and sizes in DINOSAUR TRAIN: EGGSTRAVAGANZA! They’ll learn that all dinosaur families are different, and so are the ways of nurturing them. And who knows, they might just solve a mystery or two while they’re at it! From the world-renowned Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, the DINOSAUR TRAIN: EGGSTRAVAGANZA DVD includes eight exciting edu-tainment adventures and is packed with loads of special features including interactive games, coloring pages, a ...

Dinosaur Train: T.Rex Tales is yet another great production from PBS! Broxton enjoys watching Buddy, Tiny, Don and Shiny as they go on the Dinosaur Train and learn of all the other species out there. This newest release does not disappoint ! Buddy finally learns that he is a T.Rex. It is funny to me that Mr. Conductor wasn't able to tell him ,but then they cover that base and he says he just never really thought and put it together! Ha ha!!!! This DVD has all the cute songs that we love when watching Dinosaur Train. There was an episode that had them visiting another Dinosaur and the next thing I know, Broxton is getting his "football men." I was a bit confused... ( Broxton normally gets his "football men" and reenacts the football plays during the games, so I had to see what was going on...) Well, this particular episode had them playing "DINO BALL" and Broxton wanted me to see! It was cute, all involved had a great time! If you have a little o...