Mr Tumbles Tablet Review

Everyone with toddler's has seen CBeebies something special at one point in their child television experience. Mr Tumble very quickly became one of Leo's favourite shows, and to be honest it was something that I was happy for him to have on. I have always done a little bit of signing with Leo, not a lot but it gave him a way to communicate with me before he had the words to tell me. Even today he signs for milk, and I liked that Mr Tumble may teach him a few more signs along the way.

Leo was really pleased to discover that our next task as KD Mumbassadors was to play hard with the new Mr Tumble's Tablet. Now it will come as no surprise to fans of the Something Special Show, to discover that this tablet is very bright and instantly draws you in to play with it.

The tablet features fun activities to encourage learning, all aided by the very bubbly Mr Tumble. What I really like is how they have actually used Justin Fletcher's voice for the tablet, there is nothing more frustrating than when they pull in some stranger to voice over the toys for that associated program or film...I was very pleased to hear Justin's voice when we first turned the tablet on.

The tablet it's self is touch sensitive and is sensitive enough for Leo to tap to get the desired sound. Leo likes it as it is a nice comparison to Mummy's iPad

There are 6 different games to play on the tablet, each of the activities require you to listen to Mr Tumbles instruction and then find the appropriate answer on the tablet.

- Find - The find activity is Mr Tumble telling you to find different items, such as 'Find Granddad Tumble or find the number 5'. 

- Colours - The colours activity asks you to find items distingushed by their colour, such as 'Can you find the spotted objetct, or can you find a spotty object'

- Quiz - The quiz activity asks a series of different questions and as with the other games you have to locate the answers on the tablet. There are questions such as 'How many Blue Balloons do you see and can you find something to put on your head?' The quiz is something that requires thought and knowledge and I know that it is a little beyond Leo at the moment. 

- Challenge - In the challenge activity Mr Tumble asks you to follow a series of instructions such as 'Mr Tumble is looking for the Yellow Spotty bag, can you find Mr Tumble' Once you have found Mr Tumble you are given a second command 'Can you find the Yellow Spotty bag?'.

- Follow me - Challenges the player to find each of the items Mr Tumble calls out, once you find them he gives you a new item to find.

- Funny Sounds - When pressed a random sound is presented, there are about 3 or 4 different sounds available.

Leo really likes the Mr Tumble Tablet, it is something that gets a lot of use while we are out in the car. Leo likes the pictures and the sounds that come through and he knows that it is Mr Tumble. Although Leo enjoys playing with it, he is not yet playing the individual activities as he is only 2 and hasn't quite got the knowledge just yet, but with that point aside it is a bright, fun toy that challenges him as he learns.

Mr Tumbles Tablet retails at around £19.99 and provides a fun central point for learning numbers, objects and communication.

Disclaimer: We were sent Mr Tumbles Tablet for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

Toddler See, Toddler Do - Week 14 & 15

The last few weeks have been a little crazy, crazier than usual even for the mad house! First with the arrival of Leo’s little baby cousin and then over the weekend we moved out of my family’s home, the only home that Leo has known all his life.

We moved to a new house where it will just be the three of us.

Our own little family.

Leo has been adjusting really well, the only real change in him I have noticed is that he is keeping his blankie at arms length, and just the other morning wouldn’t let it out of his sight. He had his milk bottle in one hand and his blankie in the other just twirling it over in his hands and brushing it over his face. I love that his blankie is offering him the familiarity and comfort that he needs in this time of confusion, but he is doing so well and even slept through the night for the first time in months on his second night in the house!

Last week before the move my brother brought Leo’s baby cousin Joshie over to see us, Leo has gone from not showing any interest at all to pointing and saying ‘baba’, on some occasions he will even reach out to touch him on the hand, but his favourite game by far is rocking the car seat back and forth, a game we have to keep a very close eye on!

Joshie has taken to sleeping with his hands above his head, and it wasn’t long until Leo began raising his hands high above his head in imitation of his little cousin. It has now become a great party trick for my little man after he began doing it at dinner and got the world’s greatest reaction from friends and family. Now Leo raises his hands to get big laughs frequently and has even learnt to do a fab elephant impression!

Leo holds his one arm out in front of him and wiggles it around if you ask Leo to be an elephant; this trick gets an even bigger giggle as he just looks so cheeky. Leo is recognising words and knowing the action that we wish to see in return which is just brilliant.

My little monster is really coming along, he is signing and using more words (when he feels like it) but one word he always says’s without fail is ‘Taa’ which is Leo’s attempt at ‘thank you’. If you hand Leo his juice or anything at all he will thank you for it. If Leo comes up to me and takes my phone he will say ‘Taa’ not really giving me a choice but to hand it over! He will do this in most instances and even says it in the dead of night when he awakes for a drink…Through my tired state I appreciate his manners.

Leo has taken to touching his mouth when he touches a hot surface such as a radiator. He instantly puts his hand to his mouth, and if you say ‘hot’ to him then he will put his hand over his lips. I don’t know where he has got this from but he obviously associates it with ‘hot’ and to me this demonstrates that he understands what hot means. It isn’t the correct sign for it but I am going with it, it holds significance to Leo and that is good enough for me!

Leo has perfected a fake laugh and a really false cheeky smile, the kind of smile where he contorts his entire face and shows us flashes of his pearly whites. He will then laugh his false giggle and await everyone to give him a chuckle. He usually gives us the laugh when we chuckle at a funny moment on the television.

Mr centre of attention as always!

Leo is currently sporting his very first friction burn, after becoming really hyped up after his dinner. He decided that playing about jumping off the sofa was just the best game in the world (I hasten to add I left Leo with Daddy) and then he face planted into the arm of the sofa leaving a lovely glowing burn next to his right eye.

This is exactly what Leo was getting up to in my absence….

What have your little one’s been up to?

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Silent Sunday - Leo signs 'more'

Toddler See, Toddler Do - Week 8

How Leo changes in a week never ceases to amaze me, his little mannerisms becoming more pronounced and his learning's of this weird and wonderful world that we live in becoming more apparent.

Leo only needs to see how something works once before he knows exactly what he should be doing with it. His fascination with the washing machine has enabled him to now turn it on all by himself. He can push all of the buttons and even turn the dials, which means he can alter the temperature and endanger all of our clothes to the horrors of colours running!

One of the most special times with Leo is always bedtime. It is a time where we can snuggle close while he drinks his bedtime bottle of milk, and although he is winding down from a busy day he is usually in the most amazing mood. I find myself sitting in awe of him as I see the sleepy expression flicker across his face, which in the next instance is replaced by the biggest, most beautiful smile beaming up through his milk. This of course promotes a chain reaction, how cannot I not smile back at this beautiful boy who just brings out the very best in me?

This one smile soon brings with it a series of little games before Leo succumbs to the overwhelming urge to sleep. He covers up his eyes and awaits my cue 'where has Leo gone? Leo!? Where are you!?' this prompts giggling on both parts as Leo suddenly relinquishes his hands from his eyes and says 'buh' which is his attempt at saying 'boo'.

Leo is now learning the names of different parts of the body, and he tends to use this quiet time with Mummy to put his learnings into action. He can be lay so still in my arms really concentrating on drinking his milk, when all of a sudden his finger will be in my mouth pointing out my teeth. I take this moment to tell him what they are and show him his too. He is fascinated by eyes and loves to point these out to me.

I can ask Leo where his head, hair, eyes and teeth are and he will usually direct me to the correct part of the anatomy. Seeing his learning come along like this really is magical, and I love knowing that I am playing such a big role in these learnings.

While Leo lays there in my arms at this time of night he does not wriggle to get down, or try to run away from me. This really is our time, and after a long day at work this is the greatest highlight of my day.

I mentioned recently that Leo had began hitting out in frustration, a form of behaviour that I dislike immensely and will not accept. Looking back I would pin point this starting around the time I returned to work. It felt like he was maybe angry at my actions and punishing me for daring to leave him. Over the last couple of weeks I have seen him lash out less and less, we have been addressing the problem and it looks to be working although he does get frustrated and regress, I am happy with the improvement in how often this happens. 

Leo is a very active little man and it goes without saying that he can get very excited, but I knew and I know that he is such a sweetheart. I hated the thought that his actions may provoke negative thoughts about my parenting and my baby boy.

Leo recently mastered the sign for 'more' and he uses it as and when he feels like it. Completely on Leo's terms of course. The other night after he had eaten his dinner and a banana, I offered him a little chocolate treat, and this treat was welcomed with an open mouth meaning it was a big hit! He sat there quietly eating his little chocolate before I saw him signing across the table at me. The cheeky little monkey was signing for more, over and over again. Being the naughty mummy that I am and because I felt that as he had signed his intentions instead of crying, I happily obliged in giving him one last little bit of chocolate.

It just goes to show that he really does know what he wants. I had previously asked him whether he wanted more dinner, and he completely ignored my question. Neither did he want a yoghurt. But then with no offer or encouragement he told me that he would like more chocolate.

Now it is time to try and implement a few other signs into our daily lives. If you are going to take up baby signing I highly recommend sticking with it as it can take a while for them to pick up the signs, but once they start picking it up they learn so fast. With my return to work signing took a back seat but since Leo turned one he has been more susceptible to picking up the signs.

So what have your little ones been up to this week?

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Baby Sing & Sign - Week 2

On Tuesday Leo and I made our way to our second session of baby signing. The heavens opened and rain poured all day long, making it a very interesting drive over with so much water falling all around.

Baby signing is becoming increasingly popular with parent's all over, and it is not hard to work out why. I mean who would not want to make the progression from learning to talk, to talking easier on their little one? I love the fact that Leo will be able to tell me certain things about how he is feeling, before he can verbally open his mouth to speak.

This weak was a re-cap on last weeks session and also a introduction of a few new signs. One of which was 'No'. I have a feeling I will be using this one frequently.

We went back over the farm animal signs and I was so impressed when a little girl of about One started to sign 'Duck' by opening and closing her hand like a beak. I was so amazed and a little taken a back, but it gave me a very optimistic feeling. Leo will do that too.

Of course true to form, it did not take Leo long to leave me sitting like a lemon. Apparently trying to escape through each and every door is a lot more fun than sitting with Mummy. He soon returned to me when I was given the musical instrument he wanted so desperately. Once in receipt of this rattle he proceeded to sit in the centre of the room, shaking it like he was never going to relent.

Leo was not impressed when the time came to put away his shaker, and decided the best form of attack was to follow the bucket of instruments around the room, as it was passed from parent to parent, in a mission to try and get all the toys back from the baby's. Leo bided his time and when the bucket came to a stand still...He threw himself forward to reclaim his stolen shaker.

It was no wonder that the instructor had remembered Leo's name, not after his cheeky display in our first session.

After the class finished I was having a chat with the lovely lady that runs the session. I asked her about her personal experience with baby signing. Her response was so positive it really made me want to continue. Her son started signing when he was about One years old, and by the time he was Two he could sign the entire alphabet!

How impressive is that!? I don't know any Two year old's who could do this....Turns out his favourite DVD is the Baby Sing and Sign alphabet. This will really help him when he starts school and will give him a great start.

The first term of baby Sing and Sign is all about the basics, and to be honest that is my main aim. I wont be able to go back for the second term due to being back at work, but as long as Leo and I know the important bits, I will be very happy.

I don't expect Leo to sign the alphabet, of course if he did I would probably jump for joy, but I do look forward to him being able to tell me what he wants.

Roll on week 3!

Laura

xx

Baby Sing & Sign - Week One

Yesterday Leo and I embarked on our baby signing journey, this will be the last group we attend together before I return to work, and this makes it extra special. I had been looking forward to attending for a few months, after booking it back in February. Leo and I had started doing a few signs at home and have had success with the 'Milk' sign.

Now the course has started we will be attending every Tuesday at 11:00am right through until the beginning of July. We will be learning many new signs and songs to try and communicate with each other, and give Leo a better understanding.

Our morning started out early, where I even awoke to an alarm! This is pretty un-heard of these days as Leo is usually the main culprit in waking me up. The beauty of awaking to an alarm, rather than a baby is the 'snooze' button. What an amazing invention and my oh my, I have missed it.

The baby signing is a 20 minute drive away, this gave Leo ample opportunity to close his bright Blue eyes, and true to form it was not long before he was fast asleep and dreaming. We arrived early giving Leo chance to catch some more 'Z Zz's' and when it was time to go in, he woke up and just wanted cuddles with his Mummy. I knew it would not take him long to come into his own and take baby signing by storm.

There was about 15 Mum's in total who were all wanting to get their babies on the road to signing. Some Mummy's were on there Second term and already knew all the songs and many of the signs, this did make me feel a little worried, as sometimes it can be hard to keep up when things move along so quickly, but everyone was very welcoming and the instructor went through everything so everyone could take part. It was lovely to meet some like minded Mummy's who wanted to achieve the same things.

Leo was slowly coming around and sneakily edging off my lap, it only took him a few minutes to decide that he did not want to stay next to his Mummy. He would much rather crawl away at lightening speed and mingle with all the other babies.

Leo was One of the older babies attending the group and also seemed to be the cheekiest too. He made his way into the centre of the circle and bee lined for the lady teaching the class. He was first to choose a musical instrument and wasted no time in using it. Despite my greatest efforts Leo did not wish to come back and join me in the signing and seemed to thoroughly enjoy his time learning from the instructor. Maybe this is a good thing? Learning from the best in the class cannot be a bad thing!

Of course this must have made me look rather comical, signing 'Chicken' by jiggling my arms up and down to no-one, as my baby boy had all but abandoned me. I got around my stage fright in the knowledge that everyone else was participating too and once you got into the session, it was all very enjoyable.

The first session taught the basic signs, which will be very helpful.

They consist of:

- All Gone

- Milk

- Drink

- Eat

We all sang songs using the actions we had been learning and as this was going on, time was ticking by as suddenly an hour had elapsed and the class was coming to an end. I feel that this will be a lovely way to spend our Tuesday mornings, and I look forward to learning more as the weeks go on.

I cannot think of a more amazing way to finish off my leave, while learning with Leo and also bonding on a whole new level.

Laura

xx

Leo Signs 'Milk'

Last week I posted about my clever little boy Leo,  and how I was pretty sure he had signed his very first sign.

Now I am confirming that he can officially sign for his Milk.

I started to implement signing just last month, with one or two signs but the main focus being on 'Milk'. It has not taken long to get Leo to use it, and in the right context. I think that the biggest surprise is, how quickly he has picked it up.

It felt like such an achievement seeing him doing it himself. Asking me, his Mummy for his bottle, with the use of his little fingers.

The way I have gained an understanding with Leo, is by preparing his bottle and placing it on the table. I always say the word 'Milk' while doing the sign for it, by being repetitive and consistent, we have achieved an actual sign!

Tonight he was signing 'Milk' and we rewarded him with his bottle. We took the bottle away and a few moments later, the sign for 'Milk' was there again for all to see, and there was no mistaking it. Witnessed by Daddy, Granny and myself.

I feel very proud of my clever little boy, and I look forward to adding some more signs to our belt over the next few months.

Well done Leo

xxx

One Strong Little Boy Named Leo...

Leo is an active, happy and content baby. He loves to socialise and explore his surroundings, he pushes his limits to learn new skills and knows that by being cheeky, he can and will get away with murder. By flashing a toothy grin, Leo has the power to change the world, and I his Mummy succumb each and every time.

The new skills he is picking up everyday are aiding his mobility, and his curiosity of the world around him is driving him to do new things more and more often.

One of Leo's new found skills is the ability to pull himself up. A skill that puts all kinds of worry through me. I am terrified he will fall and hurt his head, especially as his favourite object to pull himself up on, is the television stand. The stand is all glass and riffled with lovely sharp edges....just inviting Leo to miss a footing or let go briefly that will result in a little tumble, with the potential to do some damage.

Leo is yet to pull himself up against the sofa (The safer option, and also my preferred choice) but I know he is just going to keep going forward and push all his boundaries to the limit. He demonstrates this each and everyday. He would much rather play with the flower ornaments and Granny's vases full of fairy lights over the obvious toy selection!

Leo began to start pulling himself up independently just over a week ago on Saturday 3rd March 2012. I was so proud. One of my top 10 Mummy moments.

There is not much time to sit around with my feet up, these days as soon as I do sit down, I am jumping back up again to remove Leo from the parts of the room that are off limits to a crawling baby, who can now pull himself to standing! I am hoping that in the next few months Leo will take his first steps.

Don't get me wrong, I am not wishing any time away. I just want to be the one to witness his first steps, and if he takes them in July....I will be back at work and kicking myself for missing such a crucial moment in my Son's life. Leo is just coming up to 9 months old and I myself took those all important first steps at 10 months old. Let's hope he takes after his Mummy and not his Daddy, who according to his Mum...was a little lazy in the walking department!


As you know I have been practising a few basic signs with Leo for the last few weeks. I am certain that today....Leo signed his very first sign. I am 99% sure he signed milk to me! It wasn't in any context but the hand movement was there all the same. I am going to keep persevering with him, in the hope that he will get into the habit of signing, and understanding the words in context with the sign it's self.

When did your little ones take their first steps? and if you have ever signed with your children, how long did it take to reach an understanding, so that they can sign their needs to you?

Laura xx

Baby Sing and Sign

You may of all heard of Baby Sing and Sign. I had. This was never something I had really thought about before, and never really considered as an option for Leo and I. I don't know what changed? But the whole idea of baby signing now seems like a very attractive idea.

I know that it will take some work, and it may be months before Leo shows any understanding with the signs. The thought of being able to understand each other on a whole new level and maybe even take away some of the frustration when he can't make me understand what he wants, is worth it's weight in Gold.

In the long run I believe that baby signing will be immensely helpful to both Leo and I. It will open a window that would otherwise stay closed until he could talk. I think that it may even enhance his early vocabulary, and give him a greater understanding. Leo is only 8 months old so there is plenty of time for words and talking, but I think the whole sing and sign will give us some real bonding time.

I am willing to give it all a try!

Last night I decided to research local classes that I could possibly attend with Leo. I found the Baby Sing and Sign class that is local to us, and as luck would have it it's only about 25 minutes away. The cost for a term is also very reasonable at only £55.00. I signed us up straight away and we start on April 24th 2012.

I have now downloaded the official Sing and Sign baby app, and intend to start using it to teach Leo and I a few simple signs, to see if we can learn a couple together before we start our classes.

I would love to hear from Mum's and Dad's who have used signing with their baby and been successful? Advice would be greatly welcome.

I would love to know how you implemented the signs and gained a mutual understanding with your little one?

Wish us luck. We will start signing tomorrow!

I will leave you with some benefits to signing with your baby, chalked up by the lovely people over at Sing and Sign:

What are the benefits of Sing and Sign?

• Helping to understand your baby's needs, thoughts and ideas
• Reducing frustration (for baby and parent!)
• Enhancing early vocabulary and understanding
• Encouraging the development of speech
• Enriching your baby's relationships
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Stimulating your baby's intellectual and emotional development

The benefits of signing with your baby are potentially significant. Interesting research is ongoing into the effect of baby signing on the development of a baby's brain. In the earliest years of life, babies brains are 'wiring' themselves through their experiences. While using signs, parents say accompanying words and tend to give greater language input. Signing babies can communicate complex things earlier, many experts suggest this stimulates brain development and enhances the building of brain circuitry

Laura x