Review & A Way To Give Giveaway: Kids in Harmony – Harmony Cards for Kids & CD’s

Kids in Harmony trio Giveaway

A perfect trio of products to promote positive virtues & values in kids!

The past few days have been devastating here in Oklahoma. Several communities were hit by large tornadoes. Many families lost loved ones, pets, homes, cars & all their belongings. Tragedies are not unique to Oklahoma. They happen everywhere and children are often exposed to a non-stop barrage of overwhelming images during these times. It is so important that parents, teachers & caregivers take mindful steps to provide positive images & messages to kids.

Product Description:  

The Harmony Cards for Kids includes 30 two-sided brilliantly illustrated cards with a guidebook offering simple, effective and meaningful ways of encouraging and supporting virtues and values awareness. Simple and effective for schools…

• Teach values and virtues awareness

• Support anti-bullying programs

• Build relationships and school communities

• Support behavior management programs and strategies

• Assist in ‘character’ education and wellbeing

Virtues in the set are: Acceptance * Cleanliness * Compassion * Confidence * Cooperation * Creativity * Encouragement * Enthusiasm * Excellence * Fairness * Flexibility * Forgiveness * Freedom * Friendliness * Generosity * Gentleness * Gratitude * Happiness * Independence * Kindness * Love * Optimism * Patience * Peacefulness * Persistence * Purpose * Respect * Tact * Togetherness * Trust

Here’s what I love about the cards:

  • bright, cheerful illustrations
  • large white font of the virtue on the front is easy to read
  • a kid-friendly definition of each virtue is on the back, including three ways kids can live out that virtue.
  • the topics are ones that are meaningful in the lives of kids and will empower them to make positive choices
  • the guidebook includes 12 pages of wonderful ideas and suggestions on using the cards with kids in a meaningful way

While I love all the cards, these are currently my four “faves” in light of the recent tornadoes & outpouring of support for folks here in Oklahoma: Compassion, Generosity, Gratitude & Optimism.

4 fave harmony kids cards

The cards are also available as an iPad app.

Harmony Bliss CD

The Harmony Bliss CD is a combination of peaceful positive songs and visualizations to support and encourage self care, relaxation activities  and lots of fun and creativity ways to find peace and harmony in your  day. Hear song samples

Happy Songs and Relaxation Songs CD (2 CD set)

CD1 Happy Songs: Lift your spirits, play music, easy listening and movement to movement activities.

CD2 Relaxation Songs: Relaxation time can be a wonderful ritual for the entire family to share, choose an appropriate time when you can assist your child and relax yourself. The relaxation songs on this CD are interactive and brilliant for any environment – in the car, home, school and even sitting at a desk. You can stretch as tall as a mouse and curl up as small as a mouse… Hear song samples

Here’s what I love about the CD’s:

  • wonderful positive messages
  • fun themes that will work well in kids yoga
  • great mix of upbeat & calming tempo songs

It’s cool that both CD’s are also available in downloadable versions!

Purchase via their website: http://www.kidsinharmony.com.au/, sign up for their free newsletter, & “like” them on Facebook. The company is located in Queensland, Australia.

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review.  Opinions expressed are my own.Starting in 2013, a new component of reviews & giveaways hosted on OMazing Kids is that a review will be added on Amazon.com (for products sold on that site). See my Amazon profile at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1JKVLELLSX7FD?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_aya_bb_pdp.

A Way to Give - Giveaway

How to enter the A Way to Give – Giveaway:

  • Required Entry Method: Enter via the “Giveaways” tab on the OMazing Kids – Contests & Giveaways Facebook page (http://a.pgtb.me/plpbTf) & mention why these cards & CD’s would be helpful to you. Also nominate a friend, relative, teacher, therapist, school, clinic, library, etc… it can be any individual (other than yourself) or setting that you feel could benefit from having the cards + a CD & tell us why they would benefit from having them (details will count in selecting the winner) (comments must be in English; must include full first & last name; must use respectful people-first language, 1 entry per person).
  • Bonus Entry Option: Like both of these Facebook pages: OMazing Kids & Harmony Cards for Kids (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did). Facebook fans of both pages are then entitled to the following bonus entry options:
    1. Invite some friends to “like” the OMazing Kids Facebook page (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
    2. Share this review on Facebook & include a @OMazing Kids to tag my page – (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
  • Helpful Info & Tips: I use the “Giveaways” tab because it saves me the step having to obtain your mailing address – the info you complete on the tab comes directly to me via an e-mail. FYI…. I use a free app from Shortstack for that tab and have no control over technical difficulties either on their end or on Facebook. The Facebook tab may not work on a cell phone. If you experience that, try again on a computer. Make sure you are logged in as yourself (not a page) when using the tab. In the event that you experience difficulties with the FB entry tab, please e-mail me specific details so I can attempt to fix it. E-mail to: amoorad1@juno.com . The entry deadline may be extended at the sole discretion of OMazing Kids in the event of prolonged entry tab problems

Entry Deadline: 11:59pm CST on June 2, 2013 (this particular giveaway is open for an extended period to allow plenty of time for entry by those affected by recent tornadoes).

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • International entries are being allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via the Enter Giveaways Here…. tab on Facebook may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • The winner will be chosen from valid entries on June 3, 2013.

The Grand Prize winner will receive:

  • 1 set of Harmony Cards for Kids
  • 1 Harmony Bliss CD
  • 1 Happy Songs and Relax Songs CD
  • 1 Sheet of 30 Harmony Stickers

One set of Harmony Cards for Kids + one Harmony Bliss CD will also be sent to the person or place they nominated in their winning entry. (I know this is a bit out-of-the box & different than most typical giveaways where the person who enters wins all the “stuff”.  This is the new “A Way To Give” portion of giveaways on OMazing Kids. I was inspired to make giveaways more meaningful after this experience. Think of it as a way to plant some seeds.)

A 2nd Place Winner will receive one set of Harmony Cards for Kids.

  • The winners will be notified via e-mail, will be posted on the blog post & will be posted on the OMazing Kids Facebook page. The company offering the prize may also post the winner’s name on their website, blog, Facebook page and/or other social media sites at their discretion.
  • The winner’s address will be forwarded to the company and they will be mailing the prizes directly to the winners. Any questions about the prize should be directed to the company.
  • Prize Value: cards: $35.00, CD’s: $25.00-$26.95, stickers: $3.00

Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just some cards, CD’s & stickers but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff…

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties.

Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

grass-green-divider-bar

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

Contests & Giveaways on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsContestsandGiveaways

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#omazing-kids-yoga

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741

Boardmaker Share: http://www.boardmakershare.com/Community/FriendsProfile/10916/Angela-Moorad

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

OMazing Kids LLC is an organization that promotes inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities. The blog and social media pages share information about books, DVD’s, CD’s, games and other products specifically designed for kids wellness, mindfulness and relaxation, product reviews & giveaways, lesson plan & activity ideas, research, kids wellness in the news and a connection corner with listings of individuals doing adapted yoga and those offering trainings.

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the crayons divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

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Review & Giveaway: Nurture Cards – affirmation cards for children

Nurture Cards Giveaway

Product Description:  Nurture Cards – affirmation cards for children is a box of 40 positive affirmation cards designed with warm colorful drawings that children can relate to and will help them to create their own inner self belief, self love and learn positive self talk. Includes a card with suggestions for using the cards. The company is based in Sydney, Australia.

These cards made my heart smile as soon as I opened them! Here’s what I love about them:

  • includes a wide variety of feelings & situations that kids can relate to (forgiveness, thoughtfulness, anger, doing your best, manners, sharing, learning from mistakes, jealousy, truthfulness, being in nature, trying new things, helpfulness, kindness, gratefulness, creativity, having a love for learning, etc…)
  • the instruction card has some great suggestions. Roxanne’s passion for fostering loving & caring kids shines through!
  • beautiful hand drawn illustrations. The back of the cards has a lovely rainbow illustration.
  • nice 4″x6″ size with large bold font that is easy to read
  • sturdy storage box
  • I am passionate about including affirmations in my work. Often children, especially those with special needs, get the message that something is wrong or needs to be “fixed” in them. It is important that all children know that they are special, important and loved just for “being” and not because of something they “do”.

Here’s a “sneek peek” at four of my favorite cards:

 

Purchase on their website via Paypal: http://www.nurturecards.com.au/ ($20.00 + shipping will vary based on where you live. Paypal shows the currency converter & then their website shows the international shipping cost. For me the total would have been about $37.00)  or on Amazon ($32.00+ $4.99 shipping): http://www.amazon.com/Nurture-Cards-~-Affirmation-Children/dp/B00BP13H1C

Also connect with them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NurtureCards

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review.  Opinions expressed are my own.Starting in 2013, a new component of reviews & giveaways hosted on OMazing Kids is that a review will be added on Amazon.com (for products sold on that site). See my Amazon profile at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1JKVLELLSX7FD?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_aya_bb_pdp.

How to enter the giveaway:

  • Required Entry Method: Enter via the “Giveaways” tab on the OMazing Kids – Contests & Giveaways Facebook page (http://a.pgtb.me/plpbTf) & mention why these cards would be helpful to you (details will count in selecting the winners) (comments must be in English; must include full first & last name; must use respectful people-first language, 1 entry per person).
  • Bonus Entry Option: Like both the Nurture Cards~ Affirmation cards for children  & the OMazing Kids Facebook pages (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did). Facebook fans of both pages are then entitled to the following bonus entry options:
    1. Invite some friends to “like” the OMazing Kids Facebook page (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
    2. Share this review on Facebook & include a @OMazing Kids to tag my page – (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
    3. Tweet the #kidsyoga #giveaway on Twitter with a @amoorad link – (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
  • Helpful Info & Tips: I use the “Giveaways” tab because it saves me the step having to obtain your mailing address – the info you complete on the tab comes directly to me via an e-mail. FYI…. I use a free app from Shortstack for that tab and have no control over technical difficulties either on their end or on Facebook. The Facebook tab may not work on a cell phone. If you experience that, try again on a computer. Make sure you are logged in as yourself (not a page) when using the tab. In the event that you experience difficulties with the FB entry tab, please e-mail me specific details so I can attempt to fix it. E-mail to: amoorad1@juno.com . The entry deadline may be extended at the sole discretion of OMazing Kids in the event of prolonged entry tab problems

Entry Deadline: 11:59pm CST on April 1, 2013 .

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • International entries are being allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via the Enter Giveaways Here…. tab on Facebook may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • Four (4) winners will be chosen via a drawing of valid entries on April 2, 2013.
  • The winner will each receive one (1) set of the Nurture Cards – affirmation cards for children
  • The winners will be notified via e-mail, will be posted on the blog post & will be posted on the OMazing Kids Facebook page. The company offering the prize may also post the winner’s name on their website, blog, Facebook page and/or other social media sites at their discretion.
  • The winner’s address will be forwarded to the company and they will be mailing the prizes directly to the winners. Any questions about the prize should be directed to the company.
  • Prize Value: ~$37.00 (including shipping cost)

Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just a set of cards but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff…

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties.

Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

polka dots VHC

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

Contests & Giveaways on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsContestsandGiveaways

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#omazing-kids-yoga

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

OMazing Kids LLC is an organization that promotes inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities. The blog and social media pages share information about books, DVD’s, CD’s, games and other products specifically designed for kids wellness, mindfulness and relaxation, product reviews & giveaways, lesson plan & activity ideas, research, kids wellness in the news and a connection corner with listings of individuals doing adapted yoga and those offering trainings.

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the crayons divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

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Review & Giveaway: Move With Me Adventure Skills Cards

Move with me adventure skills cards giveaway

One of the things I love most about the Move with Me™ Action Adventures DVD’s is the “Adventure Skills” they include in each story. As I watched each DVD, I remember thinking that having a card for each skill would be especially helpful for the kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, anxiety & other special needs that I work with as a Speech-Language Pathologist and even had the idea of taking “screenshots” off the DVD’s to make my own cards. Of course I never had the time to do that with my busy schedule. So imagine my pure delight when I saw that the company had come out with a flash card set!

Product Description: It is a 13 Flash Card Set that includes all the “Adventure Skills” (health lessons and self-regulation techniques) from the Scooter & Me video series

  • 5.5” x 8.5” cards with colorful illustrations on the front and directions on the back.
  • Easy-to-use visual aid to teach/reinforce the use of Adventure Skills to improve well-being, focus, learning, impulse control and emotional resilience and intelligence.
  • Effective teacher tool for behavior management.
  • Engaging activities that support social-emotional learning.
  • Adventure Skills are short exercises that help children relax and connect with inner strengths when frustrated, confused, angry, sad or scared. Each technique is simple to do, can decrease stress, contribute to increased focus, coordination and self-control and improve social skills and emotional intelligence. All movement and self-care techniques are inspired by yoga, creative movement, PE standards, mind-body research and Brain Gym.

I love that each card includes information about why, when & how to use the Adventure Skill. Eleven of the cards also include a short rhyming “chant”.

Here’s a “sneek peek” at the front & back of one of the cards:

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Short video overview of the Adventure Skill Cards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCT_ZIXGnWM.

Also see video overviews for:

Cost: $24.95. Purchase on their website: http://www.move-with-me.com/store/scooter-me-active-play-social-skills-program-9-yoga-movement-story-video-classes/adventure-skill-cards.

While you’re on their website, check out all the fabulous free printable Coloring & Activity Pages Parent / Teacher Guides! The Parent/Teacher Guides provide you with basic info about the connection between movement, the brain and learning, as well as activity suggestions and detailed information with pictures of all Adventure Skills.

Also connect with them on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoveWithMeActionAdventures.Kids.Yoga.DVDs

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MwMAA

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/109474156345397290268

Twitter: https://twitter.com/move_with_me

body-mind-heart series

Adventure Skills Coloring - body series

Adventure Skills Coloring - mind series

Adventure Skills Coloring - heart series

There are also full-page size coloring pages for each of the Action Adventure Skills

buzzing bee breath

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review.  Opinions expressed are my own.Starting in 2013, a new component of reviews & giveaways hosted on OMazing Kids is that a review will be added on Amazon.com (for products sold on that site). See my Amazon profile at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1JKVLELLSX7FD?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_aya_bb_pdp.

How to enter the giveaway:

  • Required Entry Method: Enter via the “Giveaways” tab on the OMazing Kids – Contests & Giveaways Facebook page (http://a.pgtb.me/plpbTf) & mention why these cards would be helpful to you (details will count in selecting the winners) (comments must be in English; must include full first & last name; must use respectful people-first language, 1 entry per person).
  • Bonus Entry Option: Like both the Move With Me  & the OMazing Kids Facebook page (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did). Facebook fans of both pages are then entitled to the following bonus entry options:
    1. Share this review on Facebook & include a @OMazing Kids to tag my page – (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
    2. Tweet the #kidsyoga #giveaway on Twitter with @amoorad & @Move_with_Me links – (comment here on this blog post to let me know you did)
  • Helpful Info & Tips: I use the “Giveaways” tab because it saves me the step having to obtain your mailing address – the info you complete on the tab comes directly to me via an e-mail. FYI…. I use a free app from Shortstack for that tab and have no control over technical difficulties either on their end or on Facebook. The Facebook tab may not work on a cell phone. If you experience that, try again on a computer. In the event that you experience difficulties with the FB entry tab, please e-mail me specific details so I can attempt to fix it. E-mail to: amoorad1@juno.com . The entry deadline may be extended at the sole discretion of OMazing Kids in the event of prolonged entry tab problems

Entry Deadline: Enter by any of the methods listed above by 11:59pm CST on March 19, 2013 .

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • Only USA entries are being allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids, LLC or the product’s company are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via the Enter Giveaways Here…. tab on Facebook or e-mail may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • Two (2) winner will be chosen via a drawing of valid entries on March 20, 2013.
  • The winner will each receive one (1) set of the Move With Me Adventure Skills Cards.
  • The winners will be notified via e-mail, will be posted on the blog post & will be posted on the OMazing Kids Facebook page. The company offering the prize may also post the winner’s name on their website, blog, Facebook page and/or other social media sites at their discretion.
  • The winner’s address will be forwarded to the company and they will be mailing the prizes directly to the winners. Any questions about the prize should be directed to the company.
  • Prize Value: $24.95

Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just a set of cards but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff…

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties.

Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

polka dots VHC

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

Contests & Giveaways on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsContestsandGiveaways

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#omazing-kids-yoga

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110305433538768736741

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

OMazing Kids LLC is an organization that promotes inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities. The blog and social media pages share information about books, DVD’s, CD’s, games and other products specifically designed for kids wellness, mindfulness and relaxation, product reviews & giveaways, lesson plan & activity ideas, research, kids wellness in the news and a connection corner with listings of individuals doing adapted yoga and those offering trainings.

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the crayons divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

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Review: YoDaGaMo: Activities for Focused and Playful Motion!

YoDaGaMo: Activities for Focused and Playful Motion!

Product Description

This 10 card set of 4×6  cards plus 2 “helpful hint” cards is perfect for the classroom teacher, dance teacher, kids yoga teacher, parent, camp  counselor…anyone who spends time with moving children!!  These activities are ideal for the 3-10 year old set and can be easily adapted and customized for your group.  They even include recommended music. The cards were developed by Alexandra “Zan” Langstaff at the Hullabaloo Danceshop in Vermont.

Pose cards include:

  • boat
  • cobra
  • dog
  • eagle
  • magic carpet (savasana)
  • mountain
  • resting rock (child’s pose)
  • star
  • tree
  • warrior

The front of each card has a colorful illustration & the back contains ideas for yoga (including the Sanskrit name, a rhyme & creative names for the pose), dance (including music suggestions), games (including prop suggestions) & more (ways to connect the poses with each other). There are also “Helpful Hints” cards with additional ideas and tips for yoga, dance & games.

What I LOVE about this card set:

  • the 4″ x 6″ size is large enough for kids to see in a group setting
  • colorful & fun illustrations
  • printed on sturdy cardstock that will hold up well
  • organized in alphabetical order on a binder ring makes it easy to find and turn to the card you want. The binder ring can be opened if you want to remove a specific card (this makes it easier to hold up the front of the card towards the kids & then the teacher can see the back of the card)
  • full of fun, creative & unique ideas!

I have already used these cards for inspiration to try some new games in the Therapeutic Yoga Group for our inpatients at the JD McCarty Center. Many of the kids we have in that group right now are more difficult to engage and have some challenging behaviors so adding a new splash of “YoDaGaMo” has definitely helped 🙂 The cards have also given me ideas to build upon for class themes for our Inclusive OMazing Kids Yoga Classes.

Available for purchase on their website (w/PayPal):  http://www.hullabaloodanceshop.com/yodagamo-cards.html

Price at the time of this post: $16.00

I found out about these fun cards via a post on the Maria’s Movers  blog: http://mariasmovers.com/2012/08/06/yodagamo-cards-yoga-dance-games-and-more/

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review.  Opinions expressed are my own.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC – inclusive wellness activities for kids of all abilities

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amoorad

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/OMazingKids/

Blog: http://omazingkidsllc.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Review & Giveaway: Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Card Deck

 

Wow…. The new Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Card Deck has it all!  The Y4C card deck provides an easy to use, well-rounded & comprehensive approach to yoga for kids. It is a “must have” for classroom teachers & kids yoga teachers.

Product Description:

Science has shown and educators have experienced first-hand that when children are anxious, frustrated or stressed, it is nearly impossible for them to learn. It is only from a relaxed, calm and present state of mind and body that children can be psychologically and physiologically learning-ready. With that in mind, ChildLight Yoga, creators of the innovative Yoga 4 Classrooms™ program, has drawn on its 10 years of experience to produce a new tool: the new Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Card Deck can be used by teachers, students, parents, and counselors.  No prior yoga experience is required.

The Y4C Activity Card Deck includes a Teacher’s Guide & 67 large 6”x8” yoga and mindfulness-based activity cards with illustrated instructions, discussion points, sub-activities, and educational tie-ins, for a total of more than 200 beneficial classroom practices.

Activities fall into six categories:

Let’s Breathe: helps calm and center, or empower and energize. (9 cards)

At Your Desk: provides physical relief from long periods of sitting, improves focus, and keeps body systems functioning efficiently. (11 cards)

Stand Strong: provides simple, structured opportunities to stand up, stretch, balance and strengthen. (14 cards)

Loosen Up: dispels stress through energetic release or introspection and focus. (11 cards)

Imagination Vacation: offers child-friendly approaches to meditation through guided visualization, helping students bring their awareness to the present moment, which is the necessary state for learning. (11 cards)

Be Well: offers a framework for child-friendly discussions on topics supporting health and wellness (11 cards)

  • The activities were specially chosen for their suitability for the typical classroom space, and can all be done standing beside or sitting at desks, while bodies and hands remain off the floor, away from dirt and germs.
  • The cards include a mix of yoga postures, brain boosting movements, breath exercises, visualizations, mindfulness activities, creative movement and community-building games.
  • There are also wellness and character-building discussion points, such as the power of positive thinking, nutrition, and being a peacemaker, that address the whole child – physical, social and emotional.

Here are a few pics of the cards:

See more sample cards at: Yoga 4 Classrooms – sample cards

Here’s what I LOVE about the Y4C Card Deck:

  • Yoga is so much more than just “poses” so it is refreshing to see this expressed so well in a kids yoga product!
  • The instructions on the back of the card are easy to understand & often provide ideas for partner variations, ideas to include books & music and other classroom extension ideas.
  • The cards would be very easy to use in any setting with the use of standing & chair poses (no need for yoga mats or floor space) and do not have anything in them that could be viewed as “religious” (no Sanskrit words, Om symbols, etc..) thus avoiding the potential objections school administration or parents might have.
  • The cards are colorful & large enough to be seen in a group setting.
  • The cards are color-coded by category.
  • The illustrations on the cards depict kids of diverse ethnicities & abilities.
  • The words on the front of each card capture the essence & purpose of that activity or pose and would be easy to use as “affirmations”.
  • The “Be Well” cards  address “Yamas” & “Niyamas” of yoga via “Character Education” in a classroom-friendly way. Yamas are social disciplines –  how we behave toward others & Niyamas are personal disciplines – how we care for ourselves.

More info about the Y4C Card Deck: http://www.yoga4classrooms.com/_blog/Yoga_4_Classrooms_Blog/post/New_User-Friendly_Card_Deck_Makes_Yoga_Easy_and_Accessible_for_Teachers,_Moms,_Kids_and_Others/

Card Deck Price (as of this post date): $32.00

Available online at: http://www.yoga4classrooms.com/activity-card-deck

Use this promo code to get 10% off: REVIEW (code good through 12/31/11)

Find Y4C & Childlight Yoga on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/yoga4classrooms & www.facebook.com/childlightyoga  and Blogs: http://www.yoga4classrooms.com/_blog/Yoga_4_Classrooms_Blog/ & http://www.thekidsyogaresource.com/. They frequently post info about kids yoga so I follow them all!

Additional Info: Here is what I consider to be a well-balanced approach to kids yoga (slide from my presentation at the Oklahoma Autism Conference – click on the slide if you want to see more info):

 

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review. Opinions expressed are my own.

How to enter the Yoga 4 Classrooms Card Deck giveaway:

  1. Enter via the “Giveaways” tab on the OMazing Kids Yoga FB page (http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga?v=app_197602066931325) & mention how you would be using this Card Deck with your child or the children you work with.  (comments must be in English; 1 entry per Facebook account).
  2. For one additional entry, leave a comment on this blog post. Must mention how you would be using this Card Deck with your child or the children you work with. (comments must be in English; 1 entry per person; must have a valid e-mail address)
  3. Tips: You increase your odds of winning by entering via both methods. Entering via the “Giveaways” tab will save me the step of having to obtain your mailing address – the info you complete on the tab comes directly to me via an e-mail.

Entry Deadline: Enter by any of the methods listed above by 11:59pm CST on December 19, 2011.

Rules of Participation:

  • Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
  • Only USA entries are being allowed for this particular giveaway.
  • Employees or family members of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC, Childlight Yoga or Yoga 4 Classrooms are not eligible.
  • No purchase required.
  • Comments submitted via the Enter Giveaways Here…. tab on Facebook may be copied & pasted into the blog post.
  • Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
  • One (1) winner will be chosen via a random drawing of valid entries on December 20, 2011.
  • The winner will get one (1) copy of the Yoga 4 Classrooms Card Deck.
  • The winner will be notified via e-mail and will be posted on the blog post.
  • If the winner only entered via blog post, their mailing address will be obtained via e-mail.
  • In the event that the winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be selected via a random drawing.
  • The winner’s address will be forwarded to Yoga 4 Classrooms & they will be shipping the Card Deck directly to the winner.
  • Prize Value: retail price $32.00.

Other Legal Stuff: I know it’s just a kids yoga card deck but just to be safe here is all the legal stuff…

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for our internal purposes in relation to the administration of the giveaway. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties.

Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC – inclusive yoga for kids & teens of all abilities in Norman, Oklahoma

Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2

E-Mail: amoorad1@juno.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1

Blog: https://omazingkidsyoga.wordpress.com

NOTE: Please ignore any ads that appear below the wavy divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Product Review: Little Lotus Kids Yoga Cards

Looking for some unique cards to use in kids yoga? Then check out the fun new Little Lotus Kids Yoga Cards 🙂

The Little Lotus Kids Yoga Card deck has 55 cards (39 illustrated yoga pose cards & 16 yoga game/partner pose cards with simple instructions and fun ideas in imagination “bubbles” on the back of each card) on 4 x 6 card stock with rounded corners packed full of fun!

Written by Tracy Johnson, RYT 200, yoga teacher at Yoga in the Valley & beautifully illustrated by artist Brenda Olson.

Here is a sneek peek at just a few of the cards….

I love the imagination idea bubbles on the back of each card! Here are a few of my faves: “Imagine the sun rising and filling you with energy”, “Imagine you are the moon looking down on the beautiful earth and smile!” & “Imagine you a baby bunny safe & warm in its rabbit hole”.

The “Gift Balloon” card encourages kids to think about someone in need and leads them through a guided imagery of gently breathing to fill a balloon up with all the things that person needs and it floating to that person.

Kids always love “Happy Baby” or “Sleeping Bug” pose. Multiply that fun by doing a group “Silly Centipedes” pose 🙂

Looking for a fun way to work on social skills or teamwork? The deck includes several cards (Teamwork, Silly Story, Sharing Circle, Musical Mats, Hum Circle, Ha Ha How Are You?, Siddhi Says, etc.) that would be fun to use in your groups 🙂

Looking for fun ways to work on vocabulary, expressive language & imaginative play? The deck includes fun cards (ABC Yoga, Animal Yoga – creating a story adventure, Picture Safari, The First Yogi, Floating on a Cloud, Eagle Eagle, etc.) that are a blast!

What makes these cards especially appealing and unique is the fun & quirky illustrations! They would appeal to young kids and even older tweens/teens and could inspire them to draw illustrations of their own as they invent their own yoga poses.

The only slight downside to the deck was the packaging. The clear plastic box is not very sturdy and may not stand up over time.

DisclaimerI received a free sample of this product to facilitate my review.  Opinions expressed are my own.

   Available for purchase on the following websites (price: $19.95 – as of this post date)

Little Lotus Yoga Cards website: http://www.shop.littlelotuskidsyoga.com/

Brenda Olson artist’s website: http://www.brendaolsonart.com/product/kids-yoga-deck-cards

Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/Little-Lotus-Kids-Yoga-Cards/dp/0615555101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321116461&sr=8-1  

   Websites & Facebook pages –

Little Lotus Yoga Cards: http://www.littlelotuskidsyoga.com/http://www.facebook.com/littlelotuskids

Brenda Olson, artist: http://www.brendaolsonart.com/http://www.facebook.com/brendaolsonartstudiohttp://www.grey-duck.com/,  http://www.wholesalecrafts.com (Artist #22947   Visitor Password:  joy)

    

NOTE:  Please ignore any ads that appear below the blue divider bar. This is a free blog site & I have no control over ads appearing here.

Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, IAYT, RCYP-2
Speech-Language Pathologist
Founder of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC – inclusive yoga for kids & teens of all abilities in Norman, Oklahoma
Radiant Child Yoga Certified – Levels 1 & 2
E-mail: amoorad1@juno.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsYoga
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/amoorad1
Blog: https://omazingkidsyoga.wordpress.com