REVIEWS - PRINTING DVD
BookList Review (Click Here)
"I am still amazed that my son [5 1/2] sat in front of the computer for 50 minutes and practiced writing. I was pleasantly surprised. While working, several times my son hugged me and kissed me. The DVD experience was finalized with my son's statement of 'I love writing!' I tried desperately not to fall over, and instead managed to smile and give him a hug. ... I am an experienced K - 2 teacher. ... If I had had this wonderful DVD years ago, I would have been able to improve quite a few more students' fine motor skills." G. L. (San Diego Area)
"It had been my experience as a public school teacher to see boys often times have more troubles with handwriting. I felt like our obstacles were possibly on two fronts. So glad I came across [the Steps4Kids dvds] for my kids! (I wish I had used these in the classroom) Despite the fact that my son still struggles with some of his issues, his handwriting has improved by Leaps and Bounds! My youngest son is doing great, and he had no deficits in his fine motor abiities. Both of them LOVE the dvds! We started with printing and have moved to practicing cursive. The lessons not only teach the proper techniques, by they also give all the helpful hints one needs when learning handwriting. There's fun stuff - drawing with letters, word games - dispersed throughout the instruction time as well! In addition, the Steps4Kids website is fantastic! Clear descriptions of each dvd are given as well as great game ideas, writing templates, an informational video and more! These products will not disappoint! M. F. (bugsknightsandturkeysintheyard.blogspot.com)
"I kept hearing from a fellow kindergarten teacher how her children loved to practice their handwriting. When I asked her which program she was using she told me she had started using your Steps4Kids DVD so I bought it for my class. I love it! While the class watches the DVD and practices, I go around and help those students who need a little extra help. It is like having another teacher in the class. Thank you!" Kindergarten Teacher (Encinitas Union School District, CA)
"I wanted to let you know how excited I am to use Steps4Kids to Write Their ABCs with my new kindergarten class. I have used several different types of handwriting programs over the past 19 years and I feel this one is easy to use and very comprehensive. I especially like the beginning, which shows children the appropriate way to sit and the way to grip the pencil. ... The other thing I really like is the use of letters to help children learn to draw. ..." J. B. (San Diego Unified School District) (Back to the top)
"I have two kiddos, one with Autism and one NT, and I had tried everything to help with my son's handwriting issues. This dvd is amazing! The difference in my child's handwriting is unbelievable (and in a short period of time!) It was the perfect thing for my son on the spectrum and my neuro-typical kiddo! We are getting the cursive dvd next! M. (Amazon.com Review 5 stars)
"It had been my experience as a public school teacher to see boys often times have more troubles with handwriting. I felt like our obstacles were possibly on two fronts. So glad I came across [the Steps4Kids dvds] for my kids! (I wish I had used these in the classroom) Despite the fact that my son still struggles with some of his issues, his handwriting has improved by Leaps and Bounds! My youngest son is doing great, and he had no deficits in his fine motor abiities. Both of them LOVE the dvds! We started with printing and have moved to practicing cursive. The lessons not only teach the proper techniques, by they also give all the helpful hints one needs when learning handwriting. There's fun stuff - drawing with letters, word games - dispersed throughout the instruction time as well! In addition, the Steps4Kids website is fantastic! Clear descriptions of each dvd are given as well as great game ideas, writing templates, an informational video and more! These products will not disappoint! M. F. (bugsknightsandturkeysintheyard.blogspot.com)
"Both (children) are in love with their new learning DVDs. They have played them more times that I can mention and it has yet to get old. ... The DVDs have been a God send for us. The girls have been more confident about the way they write their letters and I'm very impressed with how their handwriting skills have improved over the course of the last few weeks. ... (Our child) is really getting the hang of writing her letters now and the backwards problems are becoming obsolete. She's done so well at following directions and is eater to listen and learn from her DVD. It's amazing how much her confidence has boosted over the last few weeks. I can see her excitement and enthusiasm for this and it makes us so happy. ... She's doing fabulous and her teacher has noticed a tremendous improvement in her penmanship too. ... What I love about the Steps4Kids writing DVDs is taht they are so detailed. Before teaching kids how to write their letters, each DVD explains how to properly hold pencils (for right and left handed children). It also explains the importance of good writing habits in a way kids understand, through demonstration. ... If you have kids aged 4 - 7, learning to write their ABCs or children in the early stage of learning to write in cursive, I recommend these videos. Kids can learn so much from these lessons and because they're fun to watch, will absorb what they've been taught." Blogfully.net
"I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've watched the Steps4Kids to Write their ABCs dvd since last week! I must say, I am shocked at the interest my toddler expressed in watching this educational dvd and her eagerness to follow along! (Citymommy)
"I really liked that it includes the special section 'Writing Basics' specifically to provide me with tips for teaching my children to write. ... I was a bit worried about my daughter who is not quite four... What I didn't expect is that she would watch the instruction very intently and low and behold she was writing letters, some perfectly and some were at least recognizable attempts. My five year old son did an excellent job. ... By the end of the first lesson all of his letters were properly spaced for the first time. ... Both children love to draw and were excited that during the lessons there were several times for them to draw animals while reinforcing the letter strokes (brilliant in my opinion). I highly recommend this DVD for any parent or teacher who will be helping children learn to write." (Home Educating Mother of Three, Simply Stacie).
"I have two kiddos, one with Autism and one NT (neuro-typical), and I had tried everything to help with my son's handwriting issues. This dvd is amazing! The difference in my child's handwriting is unbelievable (and in a short period of time)! It was the perfect thing for my son on the spectrum and my neuro-typical kiddo! We are getting the cursive dvd next!!!" (Posted Amazon.com, M. Furnell)
"I was excited to receive this DVD for my son. He’s very interested in learning to write his letters. He can already write a few of them, but doesn’t have it down pat yet. With the help of this great video, I have no worries that he will soon be doing it great! Steps4Kids has helped him learn were to start and stop and start his letters. I loved that it had verbal cues and simple visual demonstrations. They even take little drawing breaks that use the letters to make things like animals." RockinDeals4You.com Review
"We bought the Steps4Kids to Write Their ABC's for our son who has Autism and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. He had a great aversion to writing, partly due to his SID but also it didn't seem to interest him and he didn't have fun. Because he was not practicing his letters, his writing was virtually illegible. His writing has hugely improved since we started using the DVD. By looking at the letter formation being demonstrated so clearly he was able to understand where the letters began and ended, how to keep within the lines and so on. Also, something we were very impressed with was the examples of how you can use letters to draw pictures - this has helped with stimulating my son's imagination - which is an area where he has challenges. I would highly recommend this DVD at home or in schools. Thank you so much." C.F., Parent of a child with Autism and SID (Dublin, Ireland)
Scotti "The Grebe's" (San Diego)
"Both of my children (in 3rd and 4th grade) were struggling with their writing. After using your Steps4Kids handwriting DVD every day for 3 weeks, both of their teachers remarked at our parent teacher conferences that their handwriting had dramatically improved. Many, many thanks!"
E.B. (California)
"My son is 5 years old. When we applied to private elementary schools, we were told he was doing great in all areas except for his handwriting. Your DVD helped us recognize the areas where he needed help and within a short time of using your handwriting DVD, he was doing great with his handwriting and got into the school we wanted. Wow!" (Name withheld by request) (Houston, TX)
"We loved this DVD! I use it with my grandchildren who range in ages 5 - 9. They are all boys and each has struggled with their writing. This DVD helped them easily remember how to hold the pencil correctly and where to start and finish their letters. The Steps4Kids handwriting DVD is helping to prepare my youngest grandchild for kindergarten and is strengthening the older boys' writing skills. They love doing the drawing breaks that use the letters. My daughter-in-law -- a teacher -- was visiting and loved it too! She is going to get a copy to use in her kindergarten class because it will let her work with each child individually while the others watch and practice I gave it 5 stars." E. F. (Christian Books Distributor - Review) (Back to the top)
Review from School Library Journal (Click Here)
2009 Teachers' Choice Award Program Review:
"I liked that this product is a dvd, easy to pop in and the kids can watch and learn, on their own, in a group, or with one on one guidance ... The instructions are clear and easy to follow ... The illustrations are quality and easy to view and understand. ... The step by step instructions on how to use the pencil, and the section on lefties was great. The slow showing of how to use and make the letters and the explanation was fantastic." (Teachers' Evaluation Comments - Aspects They Liked Most).
Excerpts from School Review Team for
The Toy Man® Product Evaluation Program: Click here for full Toy Man review
"Thanks to the assistance of a local elementary school in the Los Angeles/Torrance, CA area, we had the opportunity to give Steps4Kids to Write Cursive a true hands-on consumer evaluation ... . As we entered, there was a group of parents, kids, and the teacher, grouped around the computer lab stations in the room, with a big cake on the desk at the end of the room. The teacher stepped up and said, "On behalf of our school lab, the parents and students who participated in your product evaluation, we would all like to just say THANK YOU! The mother of one of our students owns a bakery and they brought the cake you see here as our way of saying thank you from all of us. This cursive DVD is well beyond anything we had expected and knowing it was created by two mothers puts the icing on the cake!"
To say the very least, we were all dumbstruck from the unexpected praise. From that moment on it was nothing but plenty of comments being shared about how much fun the DVD was and how it was so "neat", and how the teacher was astounded at "...how easily even my most stubborn students were willing to use the DVD". Never did we imagine that Steps4Kids to Write Cursive would be such a monumental hit, especially after our experience the last 24 hours at the school. The feedback forms had an abundance of very good comments for virtually every facet of the cursive DVD. Based upon the feedback from the parents, school, teacher, and kids, Steps4Kids to Write Cursive was an absolute winner with everyone at this school!" (Back to the top)
REVIEWS - D'NEALIAN® SUPPORT DVD
Considered one of the "Top Videos for Students" by Booklist Online (August 2011) ("List of 25 recommended titles that fit into various areas of the curriculum"): "For schools where handwriting is taught, this excellent instructional shows kids how to write modern manuscript letters and help transition to cursive letters." Review by S. Beauregard.
Booklist (August 2010): This excellent “instructional handwriting” program shows kids how to write “modern manuscript” letters. This style helps youngsters transition to cursive letters. After a brief introduction to pencil grip and posture, the program (divided into upper- and lowercase letters) groups letters according to “stroke similarities.” Pleasing voice-over narration uses simple words when offering directions. Viewers observe a hand holding a marker on manuscript paper before listening to a suggestion to first observe and then copy the writing motion. The narrator reads the sound of the letter while two words featuring the respective letter flash onscreen and are spelled out aloud. These sight words are used in games sprinkled throughout that reinforce lessons and offer variety. Other clever activities include drawing letters that morph into such objects as animals, flowers, and insects through the addition of circles, lines, and other designs. Fun and instructive for both home and school use. -- Nancy McCray
"Editor's Choice" Award - The Toy Man® (August 12, 2010). Product also passed the safety and quality guidelines earning the Toy Man® Seal of Approval!
"Best Vacation Products" Winner - Dr. Toy Program (July 2010) - Selected by renown child development expert Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D as a winner of the "Best Vacation Products" award (type: Educational Skills Builder).
REVIEWS - MULTIPLICATION DVD
The Homeschool Magazine: "... Steps4Kids to Multiply is an effective tool that facilitates memorization and recall of the multiplication facts. I recommended it for any child who is learning the facts or struggling to recall them quickly." Click here for full review (Reviewed on behalf of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine) (9/30/11).
School Library Journal (August 2011): "This program simplifies the process of teaching multiplication, engaging students, and allowing them to learn the necessary multiplication properties and applications with ease. Colorful graphics, animation, music, and clear narration enhance the effectiveness of the presentation. The introduction provides basics for teachers and/or parents, discussing topics such as interactive whiteboard integration; accommodations to assist in presentation, response methods, setting, and timing; strategies to adapt and enhance learning multiplication; and math reinforcements/shortcuts that add flavor and fun to the process. Math terms and properties are discussed using precise definitions and explanations. A lesson is provided for each number from 0 through 12, beginning with unique properties and/or rules that apply to multiplication using that number. "Kid's Tips" real world applications, vertical and horizontal equations, and practice tests further enhance the lessons and fully engage viewers. Color-coded templates are provided which allow teachers to pause the program in order to integrate classroom participation for practice and reinforcement. At the conclusion of each lesson, percentages of recommended student proficiency levels as well as the next suggested number lesson are given. This program is intended to be shown in segments, making it an excellent addition to instruction, practice, and reinforcement at home and at school. Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
CreativeChild Magazine's "DVD of the YEAR" award and "Seal of Excellence"! All products are reviewed by parents, educators and professionals alike. The magazine is a national bi-monthly that provides parents with information on how to nurture a child's creativity to help raise a well-balanced child.
) Endorsement from the KIDS FIRST! Coalition for Quality Children's Media (Thank you KIDS FIRST! jurors!)Adult Juror Comments: Breaks down multiplication into easy steps and basic "rules" to make it simpler. Methods are applied to everyday life and little math facts are incorporated along the way. A great asset for children learning or struggling with multiplication, giving an "edge" in school. Promotes the importance of knowledge, encouraging educational aspiration and stimulating the mind to think about multiplication in different ways. The narrator's voice is pleasant and encouraging. She suggests taking your time to think about what has come before, while building on the lessons, always reminding the viewer that "they can do it!" The menu is easy to navigate and has information for parents and teachers, introduction to math terms and properties and a recommended order for using the segments. Use this multiplication DVD to add "spice" to an otherwise repetitive educational necessity.
Kid Juror Comments: "This (multiplication) DVD is great! It started at 0 and went up to 12 for multiplying. Great for learning math facts and teaching children new tricks to do better on their own and at school. They really gave me some good tricks that would definitely help ... I like how they taught us some easy math and some hard math."
Teacher Review: "I hate to be a teacher about this, but at schools, we see a lot of regression over summers. Our brains are like muscles - they need to be exercised! A neat way to work a little summer practice in is the Steps4Kids series. ... The approach to multiplication is simple. Each number, 0 - 12, has its own short video and when a rule can be applied to help remember a pattern, a student helper or the narrator shares the rule. I was impressed with the fact that actual math language is being used. Terms like property, product and the occasional extra math term (like pentagon) are naturally used and explained. This authentic approach sounds casual when listening, but it's important because it preps for or refreshes from textbook knowledge. ... Steps4Kids is truly multi-modal, and by this, I mean it incorporates visual and auditory instruction, and demonstrates with color, movement, words and pictures. The repetition of visuals, like the multiplication chart, reinforces the visual and the relationship the numbers have with one another within multiplication. As a teacher, I try to teach this way, so that those who learn from seeing and those who learn from listening can both access what I'm teaching. The great learning details about this video include the use of the multiplication chart, the horizontal and vertical representations of the equations and the quick tests at the end of each number's session. ... (For full review, please visit www.thingssentmyway.com.