Thanks Jenny for your post! 

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We are excited about finding BuckleyBoo!!  BuckleyBoo is a growing collection of stuffed toys co-created by a child psychologist and a grandma! 

BuckleyBoos encourage cognitive development through multi-stage learning.  BuckleyBoo will teach babies and toddlers visual matching, small motor coordination and problem solving as they match brightly patterned ribbons and configure 5 different types of plastic buckles. 

Stage 1: Matching
Children first learn to scan and match the 5 brightly patterned ribbons- polka dot to polka dot, stripe to stripe.

Stage 2: Buckling

Stage 3: Unbuckling
At three years, children have both the physical strength and the problem solving skills to buckle and unbuckle and they will happily do for hours on end. Children will also begin to integrate their lovable pal into their world of imaginative play.

 Visit http://www.frecklesandpigtails.com/category_38/BuckleyBoo.htm

     Ok, totally off the toy subject . .. and not rocket science by any means, but I am going to share MY new way of managing my overwhelming to do list! 

     I have two businesses www.frecklesandpigtails.com and www.kidspartyfactory.com.  My office is in my house and there’s a lot of action with my 6 1/2 year old and my 15 month little girl.  Just like many mompreneurs working from home, I juggle kids, work, housework (yuk), running errands . . .  the list goes on.  My to do list just gets longer by the minute as I think of things I need to do inbetween all this fun activity!

     A long to do list is just too overwhelming for me!  So now I use my daily planner ( instead of sticky notes this way they don’t clutter my desk, get lost, or get written on by my 15 month old) !   I write down two goals I would like to accomplish each day spreading the tasks out over the week.  If something does not get accomplished on a certain day, it gets scheduled later in the week.  Sometimes I’m able to get more than two tasks done on a certain day!  This allows me to accomplish more and stress less! 

As I mentioned–not rocket science or new concept–just something that finally works! 

We’re excited about our new addition - Pilloroo!

Believe it or not a baby learns the most and absorbs information the fastest the younger his or her age.  From the moment of birth a baby’s brain begins to record information.  The first time it sees light, the difference between night and day, mommy’s voice and touch.  All of these events are programmed into the memory bank of the baby.  Every new experience is being absorbed at such a phenomenal rate (much faster than us adults).

This is why learning toys are so effective and important.  One of the closes things to a baby or toddler, next to their blankie, is their toys.  Toys are such a integrated part of life in the baby world.  When there aren’t any toys in sight, you’ll watch your little one find anything to play with and study.  Babies love to explore and discover.  Having learning toys adds a greater purpose than simple pleasure; they will actually teach them about the world they live in.

As the child gets older his or her cognitive skills begin developing and learning through toys such as colored blocks.  A child will first learn to stack the blocks, and then you’ll notice how your child will separate them by color or shape.  They will begin to organize and take control of the toy.  A similar toy is when a child has to match the shape with a cut out in a cylinder.  This improves the eye/hand communication and gets locked in the mental memory.

Some great learning toys are books with colors, alphabets, numbers and the little doors they can open.  Incorporating construction toys, puzzles and beads will sharpen your child’s ability to reason and deduct information.  There are also books that teach different animals, sounds and textures.  All of these are excellent in teaching and instructing your child.

Many researchers and child psychologists agree that learning toys will have a significant influence in childhood development.  Staying consistent and incorporating learning toys into the daily routine will challenge and sharpen your child’s ability to comprehend and understand more quickly.  Learning toys simply use your child’s natural development and enhance the effectiveness.  Try to buy a bunch of different types of learning toys as well.  Buy one that teaches balance and then one that teaches colors; stay consistent while using variety.  World maps and alphabet games are also enjoyable for young children. 

Our kids will be the leaders of the next generation.  Take some time everyday to educate and sharpen your child’s mental and cognitive abilities. 

Pretend kitchens are on the top my kids’ list this year for the holidays.   I’m not sure the fascination with pretend kitchens but our children won’t leave our real kitchen alone.  When I was a kid my parents bought me a play kitchen for one Christmas and I was hooked for years.  There was a certain enjoyment I found being able to make my own food, take orders from my family and then deliver it to their tables.  I never did get a tip out of it, but who knew? 

Play kitchens have a certain lure to them that keep children  busy for long periods of time.  They are an endless place of expression and adventure.  Maybe it’s the way it makes them feel (like mom and dad),  or maybe it’s the sense of ownership and responsibility.  Whatever it is, it creates hours of fun, especially when their friends come over.  My living room turns into a fine dining patio in Rome, Italy with covered tablecloths (sheets) and decadent music (old McDonald).  Too bad I can’t eat the food.

Pretend kitchens can also be used as a great tool for teaching children how to care for their things.  Make it a point every time they play with their play kitchen to give it a good cleaning.  Let them store their items where they want and ensure they are always put back in the same place.  This will teach them to not only take care of their toys, but to do the same in the adult kitchen as well.

Another great idea/trick to play on your child is to place some real food in their pretend fridge or oven, when they’re not looking.  You can put their favorite treat in the oven and then ask them to bake you a cake.  When they open it up, they will be surprised and filled with great wonder.  Don’t you just love the mystery of children?  They believe anything – it’s a beautiful thing.

When shopping for a pretend kitchen keep in mind the amount of space you have in your home.  Because it will get a lot of use, you’ll want to make sure you know the dimensions before purchasing it.  Also consider your child/children’s age(s).  Some play kitchens come with small parts you’ll want to be aware of till they get a little older.

Make your child’s dream come true and fill their heart with surprise and joy with a pretend kitchen this holiday.  They are also great for birthdays and other celebrations!

Top 10 Toys of the Holiday Season

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s crunch time for making those toy purchases.  Instead of spending a lot of time roaming around the big box toy stores; why not make it simple when choosing the best toys you can give?  I’ve taken the time to narrow your search to the top 10 toys for this holiday season.  These toys will bring great joy and excitement to all the little ones in your life.  Take a look:

1.      Toddler Baby Blocks.  This is the perfect gift for any toddler.  What baby doesn’t love to build things that they can crawl through or knock over?  The best aspect of these blocks is that they are plush; they won’t hurt your baby no matter what.   Build a castle or a cave or use them to teach colors – the possibilities of the imagination are endless.

2.      Fengi Princess Playhouse & Floor Quilt.  This is the dream gift for every little girl.  This indoor play house is very pink and comes with curtains that can be pulled back or let down.  Every little girl will feel like a genuine princess in her new home!

3.      Wooden trucks.  Take advantage of the surplus of wood toys on the market currently.  Every boy, no matter how young or old will love the adventures he can have with a new truck (a wooden one, at that).

4.      Costumes.  Kids love the world of make believe!  Buy them a costume for the profession they dream of (firefighter, policeman, queen, etc.).

5.      Stuff your own animal.  This is a great craft to do with your children.  They will love creating their very own stuffed animal.  This kit comes with everything you’ll need to have hours of fun.

6.      Hand/Eye and Sensory building toys.  Purchase toys with a purpose.  Why not have fun and educate at the same time.  There are many wood toys to choose from that will help the development of your child’s hand/eye and sensory ability.

7.      Jumbo Storage Bag for Bath Toys.  Get organized with these colorful and playful bath toy organizers.  Teach your kids how to be organized while have some bath time fun!

8.      Climbing Toys.  Once your children know how to climb, they will.  Give them the opportunity to climb their little lives away, without having concern of possible boo-boo’s.  These climbing toys are soft and plush to protect all the fragile parts.

9.      Play Kitchens.  What child doesn’t like to be like mommy and daddy?  Provide them with the opportunity to have their own kitchen to cook in and clean.  This toy will bring them years of enjoyment.

10.  Paint Your Own Truck.  These are a great gift for boys.  Have them paint and assemble their very own toy!  The monster truck is my ultimate favorite.

These are my favorite top 10 Holiday Gifts for this season.  Enjoy!

With the price of gas at an alarming high, internet sales could only get better this holiday season! 

Many moms with small children prefer the internet over shopping malls to purchase  toys and holiday gifts! Shopping has become convenient–do it in you pajamas, in the wee hours of the morning who could ask for anything more!!  Freckles and Pigtails offers a wide selection of games, toys, puzzles, rocking chairs, ride on toys, rocking toys, clocks, art kits, wagons . . . just to name a few!  We have everything you need this holiday season for those special children in your life!

Welcome to new visitors!  We are an online boutique specializing in  developmental toys and other unique products for infants through preshoolers!