Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
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2 Mins Read

Benefits of Card & Number-play for Kids

Playing card games is a timeless pastime enjoyed by all ages. From improving cognitive and motor skills in children to providing therapeutic benefits for adults, the benefits of card games are numerous. Card games have been around for centuries, with the earliest reference dating back to 10th century China. Though once regarded as luxury items only available to the rich, card production costs have significantly reduced, making them a popular choice for traditional games.

In addition to being entertaining and relaxing, card games offer hidden learning opportunities. Playing with cards can help children develop their motor skills, including dexterity and eye-hand coordination. Cognitive skills are also enhanced by playing card games, from memorization to matching numbers, pattern recognition, and the promotion of complex mathematical concepts. Card games can even foster emotional intelligence, allowing children to take part in friendly competition, while practicing patience, fair play, and communication skills.

The colours and numbers on cards also offer educational benefits, such as improving a child’s numerical identification and comparison skills. Therapists working with children during play therapy often use card games to build a therapeutic relationship, facilitate emotional growth, and even teach new skills. Card games can also be used during online therapy sessions, making them an excellent alternative to electronic games and a healthy way to limit screen time. So why not grab a deck of cards and enjoy the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits they offer?

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1 Min Read

Mattel Leads The Way with Eco-Friendly Toys

Fisher-Price Eco Rock-A-Stack turns Learning & Development into an Eco-Friendly Play Time.

Every year, approximately 26.8 million toys are discarded, causing a growing negative impact on the environment. Since many of these toys are constructed from plastic, which is generally believed to be durable, robust, and washable, Mattel is endeavoring to change this trend by creating eco-friendly products, such as the Eco Rock-A-Stack.

Locating goods that are designed with sustainability in mind can be challenging. However, selecting environmentally friendly options can now commence before a child is born, benefiting both eco-conscious consumers and parents seeking safe toys that encourage learning and development.

The classic Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack is recognized for its bat-at-rocker foundation and five vibrant rings that can be grasped and piled. This adorable present package is brimming with hands-on play that fosters dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities for infants aged six months and up.
Now, made from sugar cane, with at least 90% of the ethanol extracted, this popular toy is reducing your carbon footprint and plastic waste impact on the environment. Additionally, as a grasping, stacking, and sorting toy, it helps to cultivate fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities for infants aged six months and above.

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Barbie Colour Reveal
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Lexa & Lily | Barbie Color Reveal Mermaid

Join Lexa and Lily as they open and explore the exciting Barbie Color Reveal (little) Mermaid dolls! These dolls come with a unique surprise element – their color is hidden, and the girls get to discover it as they unbox each toy. Along with the doll’s color, the girls will also reveal the beautiful and unique mermaid tail. If you’re a fan of Barbie dolls and all things related to mermaids, you won’t want to miss out on the fun and excitement of this unboxing video. So sit back, watch in anticipation, and hit the like and subscribe button to keep up with more exciting toy videos from Lexa and Lily!

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Disney Junior Premieres Alice's Wonderland Bakery This June
4 Mins Read

Disney Junior Premieres Alice’s Wonderland Bakery

‘ALICE’S WONDERLAND BAKERY,’ A DELICIOUSLY FANTASTICAL ANIMATED SERIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS, PREMIERES THIS JUNE

Disney Junior’s ‘Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,’ Inspired by the Beloved Classic, Premieres Saturday, 4 June 2022 on Disney Junior

Craig Ferguson, Eden Espinosa, Jon Secada, Bobby Moynihan, Ana Gasteyer, Donald Faison, Yvette Nicole Brown and Vanessa Bayer Among All-Star Guest Voice Cast

JOHANNESBURG, 2 JUNE 2022 – Disney Junior’s “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,” a fantastical animated series for pre-schoolers and their families inspired by the world of “Alice in Wonderland,” premieres this Saturday, 4 June 2022 on Disney Junior, DStv channel 309 at 08:30.

A vibrant new take on the classic 1951 film, the series centres on Alice, the great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding young baker at the enchanted Wonderland Bakery, where her magical treats help bring a new generation of friends and families together.

Featuring reimagined versions of familiar iconic characters and introducing memorable new ones, the series stars newcomer Libby Rue as the voice of Alice as well as a slew of celebrity guest stars. See the trailer to the series here.

Each episode of “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,” comprised of two 11-minute stories, centres on Alice’s magical recipe adventures with her best pals, who join her in the bakery to whip up whimsical cakes and treats for friends and neighbours with enchanted kitchen tools and ingredients to help them.

“With so many already familiar with the magic and whimsy of the classic story of Alice in Wonderland – we are sure that this wonderful new series will delight and captivate a new generation of fans,” says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa. “Disney Junior is delighted to introduce this series that celebrates the culture and creativity of food, highlights self-expression, and imparts age-appropriate social and emotional lessons about friendship, collaboration, and the importance of community,” she adds.

Geared to kids ages 2-5 and their families, “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” features Alice’s recipe adventures with her best pals—Fergie, a white rabbit; Hattie, her madcap friend; and Rosa, the Princess of Hearts, as well as her great grandmother’s magical cookbook, Cookie. Alice is inquisitive, persistent and resourceful as she experiments with her baking and invents out-of-the-box solutions for problems that arise. Food is an important part of Alice’s identity, connecting her family from generation to generation and allowing her to discover the distinct family heritages of her friends, each with a wide array of tastes and traditions.

In addition to Rue, the lead voice cast includes Abigail Estrella (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”) as Princess Rosa, the Princess of Hearts and Alice’s most artistic friend; CJ Uy (“The Ball Method”) as Hattie, a “mad-hatter” boy and Alice’s silliest friend; Jack Stanton (“Outmatched”) as Fergie the White Rabbit, Alice’s best friend and biggest fan; Secunda Wood (“Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous”) as Cookie, the magical cookbook that once belonged to Alice’s great grandmother; and Audrey Wasilewski (“Mad Men”) as Dinah, Alice’s pet cat who is always at her side. Max Mittelman (“Spider-Man”) recurs as Cheshire Cat, Alice’s mysterious and playful friend and one of the most iconic Wonderland characters.

“Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” is produced by Disney Television Animation. Emmy® Award-nominated Chelsea Beyl (Peabody Award-winning “Doc McStuffins”) is executive producer, and Frank Montagna (“Elena of Avalor”) is co-executive producer and art director. Ciara Anderson (“Harley Quinn”) is producer, Lisa Kettle (“Mira, Royal Detective”) is story editor, and Emmy-nominated Nathan Chew (“Elena of Avalor”) is supervising director. The writing team consists of Melinda LaRose (“Vampirina”), Michael Rodriguez (“Sharkdog”), Marisa Evans-Sanden (“Fancy Nancy”), Stuart Friedel (“Clifford the Big Red Dog”) and Sara Karimipour (“Ryan’s Mystery Playdate”), and episodic directors are Steven Umbleby (“Monsters at Work”) and Arielle Yett (“The Chicken Squad”). Emmy winner John Kavanaugh (“Sofia the First,” “Elena of Avalor”) serves as the series’ songwriter/music director and Matthew Margeson (“Rocketman”) is composer.

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Babrbie Bakery Playset
2 Mins Read

Barbie Bakery Shop Playset (doll included)

With Barbie, you can be anything – including a cake shop owner that orders her mother to go get her some customers…

It’s fun to bake!

Once we set up the bakery, which was super easy, it was time to bake a few cakes with the pink and blue Barbie Dough. We filled up the oven “baking trays” and then Lexa made the cakes rise with the white lever. She added a rainbow on top of her cake and flowers on top of cupcakes.

She brought over our Barbie dining room set and a Chelsea and Ken as her very first customers. Her sister joined in the fun by paying her in 5c coins to join in on feeding the customers.

Included in the Barbie Bakery Playset

We received a Barbie with pink hair and a little apron dress included in the set. It also comes with a cash register terminal, 2 Barbie dough tubs to use as batter, an assortment of cake decorations, measuring spoons, cake cutter and cupcake tray.

The Barbie Bakery Event

We suited up in our Barbie chefs hats and aprons and was duly put to work in The Cookery’s kitchen to make our very own brunch.

The kids mixed, whipped and scooped before the friendly staff put everything in the oven.

Lexa was so proud of the “cupcakes” she helped to make and we were lucky enough to take home one for dad.

*We were gifted this set as part of an event.

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Barbie™ Dreamtopia Twinkle Lights Mermaid™ Doll
1 Min Read

Barbie™ Dreamtopia Twinkle Lights Mermaid™ Doll

Oh wow! Barbie shimmers when you push the button!

This Barbie™ Dreamtopia Twinkle Lights Mermaid™ Doll has twinkled and shimmered, trampolined, taken a bath and nap, had her hair brushed and tended to her herd of ponies. She is loved.

The imagination and endless possibilities when a toddler and Barbie comes together is one of the most beautiful things.

Make a splash with Barbie™ Dreamtopia Twinkle Lights Mermaid™ Doll featuring a fantastical look and magical light-up feature!

Dip Barbie® mermaid doll in water and watch her pearlescent tail light up in one of four colorful light shows.

Bring the fun ashore, press the button on her bodice and experience the light show without water.

Barbie® doll’s fantasy look is complete with rainbow fins, a ‘pear;’ detailed bodice, pink-streaked hair and a princess tiara.

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Fisher Price Little People Big ABC Animal Train
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Fisher Price Little People Big ABC Animal Train

It sometimes takes an interesting (or new) toy to get my two to play together.

Little sister and the animals all had a turn being pushed around on this little people train. Sometimes the little sisters escorted the animals off for a picnic on the lawn or to catch imaginary fish for the bear from the pool.

The Fisher Price Little People Big ABC Animal Train has sounds, music, lights and 5 little animals that the conductor can take on rides.

#tradeexchange

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Disney Channel & Disney Junior March 2022 Highlights
3 Mins Read

Disney Channel & Disney Junior March 2022 Highlights

MIRACULOUS: TALES OF LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR

Premiere Episodes

Monday – Friday from 14th March at 15:15

Catch brand-new episodes from Season 4 of Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir from 14th March

Not only is Marinette Ladybug, the superheroine that protects Paris from the attack of villains, but she’s also now the guardian of the Miraculous. This means that not only does she need to keep her identity hidden, but also the existence of these turbulent, magical creatures, the Kwamis? Marinette now has to redouble efforts to protect her secrets and Ladybug will have to become stronger to face an indomitable adversary: Shadow Moth, who can now fuse the butterfly and peacock miraculous. New Episodes from Monday, 14th March at 15:15 on Disney Channel.

SYDNEY TO THE MAX

New episodes

 Monday – Thursday from 14th March at 18:15

Set in the present day with flashbacks to the 1990s, the endearing daughter/father comedy revolves around outgoing middle schooler Sydney Reynolds who lives with her single dad Max in the house he grew up in, along with her free-spirited grandmother Judy. As Sydney navigates becoming a teenager alongside her bestie Olive, Max’s flashbacks of his childhood with his best friend Leo parallel her adventures, illustrating how life’s “growing pains” evolve but don’t really change.

New episodes from 14th March at 18:15 on Disney Channel.

MIRA                                            

Season Premiere                                                  Saturdays from 19th March at 18:30

Everyone’s favourite detective returns with Season 2 of Mira, Royal Detective from Saturday, 19th March at 18:30

Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family and extended community. Season two will include an episode highlighting the Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday and episodes celebrating the festivals of Teej and Dasara, as well as four extended-length music- and dance-filled specials.

Tune in for new episodes from Season 2 episodes of Mira, Royal Detective from 19th March at 18:30 on Disney Junior

PJ MASKS                                   

New episodes

Monday – Friday 21st March at 16:30

The PJ Masks are back for more heroics from Season 5, weekdays from 21st March at 16:30

The new season brought us new villains as well as familiar foes – Luna, Romeo, Night Ninja, Octobella and Pharaoh Boy. As they continue to combat crime, they discover more about their animal powers.

In one of the premiere episodes, The Camping Trip, Greg is scared on a camping trip and thinks his night-time powers will help him, but Orticia has something else in store.Catch brand-new episodes of PJ Masks from 21st March at 16:30 on Disney Junior

MARVEL SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS

New Episodes

 Monday – Friday 21st March at 17:00

“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for pre-schoolers.

The series follows Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.

In one of the brand-new episodes “Going Green” – Team Spidey must stop Green Goblin from spewing his green gas all over the park in order to make it safe for the trees again.Swing into action with Spidey and His Amazing Friends on 21st March at 17:00 on Disney Junior

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