Pagan Yule customs and traditions have been celebrated for centuries and are rooted in ancient European culture and beliefs. Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, usually occurring around December 21st. The main idea behind Pagan Yule traditions is to honor the cycle of nature and celebrate the returning of the light. Many pagans believe that during this time, the sun god is reborn and brings hope and warmth back into the world. One popular custom is the lighting of the Yule log. Traditionally, a large log would be selected and decorated with evergreen branches, ribbons, and other symbols of the season.
LeapFrog Announces Touch Magic(TM), A New Line Of Touch-Enabled Interactive Learning Toys For Preschoolers
EMERYVILLE, Calif. , Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: LF), the leader in educational entertainment, today announced Touch Magic™, a new line of interactive toys that encourage learning and exploration through intuitive touch technology. These unique touch-enabled toys bring colorful graphics and popular kid themes together to deliver a fun, interactive experience. Developed with LeapFrog's highly experienced team of learning experts to ensure the curriculum is age-appropriate for preschoolers, the Touch Magic line introduces early literacy, musical creativity, numbers and early vocabulary. The launch portfolio includes Touch Magic Learning Bus, Touch Magic Rockin' Guitar, Touch Magic Counting Train and Touch Magic Discovery Town.
"Kids today are surrounded by touchscreen technology and have come to expect an immediate response with a swipe or tap of their finger. That is why we created Touch Magic," said Greg Ahearn , chief marketing officer at LeapFrog. "With a simple touch from a child, a world of learning comes to life to help preschoolers develop a foundation for future success in both school and in life."
The Wheels on the Bus Go 'Tap,' 'Swipe' and 'Slide'
With a tap or swipe, the Touch Magic Learning Bus takes children on a musical journey filled with educational discovery and games. Designed to provide a strong foundation for future phonics learning, the Touch Magic Learning Bus helps kids learn about letter names and the relationship between letters and sounds, a critical step in the development of early reading skills. Kids will hear three different audio responses for each of the 26 letters to learn letter names, sounds and words that begin with the selected letter. Preschoolers can also tap the six piano keys and two drum pads to play along with songs that include Wheels on the Bus, ABC Song and an original Rockin' School Bus. The interactive surface has a smooth feel and features more than 40 touch points that allow kids to play their way through core learning skills.
Kids Will Become Little Learning Rock Stars
LeapFrog learning experts know that role-playing and creative experiences can help build confidence and positive self-image, helping kids take on new challenges in and out of the classroom. Just put the Touch Magic Rockin' Guitar in a child's hands and they are immediately engaged and channeling their inner rock star as they strum away to preschool songs. This lightweight, portable guitar encourages role-play and brings music to life as it develops preschool skills like learning the ABCs and new words through learning songs.
Kids can play solo, play along with a band or select electric or acoustic guitar modes for 10 learning songs including: Rockin' Robin, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy and You Know It and Pop Goes the Weasel. Additionally, kids can customize their play experience by adding guitar riffs, silly sounds and drums.
Additional Learning Fun
The new Touch Magic line also includes the Touch Magic Counting Train and Touch Magic Discovery Town. Children will practice number recognition and counting skills with 10 fun animal characters on the Touch Magic Counting Train. Developed to support early mathematical skills, children can run their fingers along the number path and practice verbal counting skills by matching sets of objects to numbers.
With Touch Magic Discovery Town, children explore and discover people and places in the community. This new activity board with a flippable page reveals two communities and reinforces social skills by encouraging kids to bring the town to life with music, early vocabulary and sounds. Through this sensory play, kids begin to relate images and words with sounds to nurture their curiosity and imagination.
Availability
The Touch Magic products are priced at MSRP $24.99 and recommended for children two years and up. Touch Magic is now available at leapfrog.com, online and at major retailers in the U.S., Canada , UK, Ireland , France and Spain and will be available in select other countries such as the Middle East , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa , Hong Kong , Singapore , Philippines , Korea, Thailand and other Asian countries this fall.
For more information on Touch Magic, visit leapfrog.com/toys.
About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in educational entertainment for children. LeapFrog's award-winning product portfolio helps millions of children achieve their potential by delivering best-in-class curriculum through engaging content, fun multimedia learning platforms, and toys. The Learning Path, LeapFrog's proprietary online destination for parents and extended family, provides personalized feedback on a child's learning progress and offers recommendations to enhance each child's learning experience. Through the power of play, LeapFrog's products and curriculum help children of all ages prepare for school and life success. LeapFrog's products are available in more than 45 countries and have been used by teachers in more than 100,000 U.S. classrooms. LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Come see the learning at leapfrog.com.
NOTE: LEAPFROG and the LeapFrog logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
Leapfrog touch magic discovery town
Monday, February 20, 2017
How They Play: Ages 8 .
- Craft kits
- More elaborate science kits
- Outdoor sporting equipment
- Intricate construction sets
- Board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, and Trivial Pursuit Junior
- Model kits
Monday, February 20, 2017
How they Play: Ages 6 .
Your child is developing his own interests while learning from both his teachers and peers. Some kids like doing science experiments (with your help); others love making beaded jewelry or playing with dolls.This is a great age to get your chilren interested in board games for some great learning and fun!
- Basic science kits
- Magnets, magnifying glasses, and telescopes
- Craft kits
- Construction sets, such as Legos or K'Nex
- Sports equipment
- Board games that involve strategy, including chess and checkers, blokus, qwirkle and others
Monday, February 20, 2017
How They Play: Ages 4 .
There's a tremendous explosion in learning ability at this age, and it's a good time to introduce interactive educational toys that teach math and verbal skills, such as phonics boards or mini computers.Kids are now able to imagine that they're someone else and may fantasize about being airplane pilots, police officers, doctors, or teachers.
- Art supplies and craft kits
- Blocks of different shapes
- Electronic phonics toys
- Construction sets with large pieces, such as Legos or Lincoln Logs
- Puzzles of greater complexity
- Dress-up clothes
- Transportation toys, such as parking garages, airports, and train stations
- Board games that don't require reading, such as Hungry Hungry Hippos, Monopoly Junior, Cluedo Junior, or Candyland
- Balls and basketballs
LeapFrog Touch Magic Deals: Counting Train and Discovery Town Over 50% Off
Right now Amazon has a couple LeapFrog Touch Magic toys on sale for over 50% off the original price:
“New from LeapFrog, Touch Magic Counting Train brings touch-enabled technology to educational toys for toddlers & preschoolers for the first time! The Touch Magic Counting Train reacts to a child’s every tap, slide or touch, making learning discoveries intuitive and fun! The Touch Magic Counting Train covers core learning skills ranging from numbers and counting, animal names and sounds, early vocabulary to developing fine motor skills. Appropriate for children ages 2+.”
“Little touches. Big learning. Build early vocabulary and learn about position words while exploring people and places in the town. Flip the board for double the learning fun. Learn about people and places around town, and sing a community song with 25 vocabulary words. Fun “search-and-find” game reinforces the learning. Touch Magic Discovery Town is appropriate for children ages 2-4 years. Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog Learning Path for customized learning insights and ideas to expand the learning.”
Don’t forget about the awesome LeapFrog Tag Reading System deal you can get right now, too.
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Traditionally, a large log would be selected and decorated with evergreen branches, ribbons, and other symbols of the season. The log would then be burned in the hearth as a representation of the returning light. Another integral part of Pagan Yule celebrations is the Feast of Mother Night.
This feast takes place on the longest night of the year and is a time for honoring ancestors and deceased loved ones. It serves as a reminder of the continuity of life and the importance of remembering those who came before. Pagan Yule also incorporates the use of evergreens, such as holly, mistletoe, and ivy. These plants are seen as symbols of protection, growth, and vitality during the winter months. They are often used to decorate homes and altars, and their presence is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. In addition to these customs, Pagan Yule often involves rituals and ceremonies that celebrate the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. These rituals may include singing, dancing, and the sharing of food and drink. It is a time for community and connection, as pagans come together to welcome the return of the light and celebrate the turning of the seasons. Overall, Pagan Yule customs and traditions are a rich and meaningful way to connect with nature, honor the cycles of life, and celebrate the beauty and magic of the winter season. They provide a sense of continuity and remind us of the importance of staying connected to the natural world and our ancestral heritage..
Reviews for "Pagan Yule Traditions for Solitary Practitioners"
1. Jane - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with this book. As someone who is interested in learning about different cultural traditions, I was excited to delve into the topic of pagan yule customs. However, I found the book to be extremely biased and lacking in depth. It seemed to only focus on debunking and criticizing these customs rather than providing a well-rounded understanding. I would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in learning about pagan traditions.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - I picked up this book hoping to gain insight into the historical significance and beautiful traditions associated with pagan yule customs. Unfortunately, I was met with a poorly researched and disorganized collection of information. The book lacked proper citations and sources, making it difficult to trust the accuracy of the content presented. Additionally, the author's personal opinions and biases were too prevalent, making it hard to separate fact from opinion. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - Pagan yule customs and traditions is a book that attempts to shed light on a fascinating aspect of ancient traditions. However, the author's tone is condescending and dismissive throughout the book, undermining the credibility of the information. The lack of a balanced perspective made it difficult to fully appreciate the significance of these customs and understand their cultural context. While the topic itself is intriguing, this particular book fell short in presenting a fair and comprehensive exploration of pagan yule customs.
4. Robert - 1/5 stars - This book was a waste of my time. The author seemed more interested in criticizing and mocking pagan yule customs rather than providing any meaningful insight. The book was filled with unnecessary sarcasm and derogatory remarks, which only served to create a hostile and unprofessional reading experience. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an objective or respectful examination of pagan yule traditions. Save your money and look for a more unbiased source of information.