Boost Your Child's Communication Skills
(NewsUSA)
- Kids come home from school and plop down in front of the
television, play video games, or surf the Internet. What
happened to reading a book, coloring or writing in a diary? As
these hobbies fall by the wayside and more passive forms of
entertainment take over, children's written, verbal and social
skills can take a tumble, too.
"Laying the groundwork for good communication skills is
essential," said Dr. David Brinkman-Sull, clinical child psychologist at
Laurelwood Counseling Centers. "Making it fun for kids to share their thoughts
and feelings helps them learn one of the keys to developing healthy
relationships in their lives."
American Greetings and Nickelodeon have teamed up to help
kids develop communications skills while entertaining them at the same time.
Their new product line, Nickspressions, uses the interactivity, games and
Nickelodeon characters they love. Products like Chatterboxes, Smell-a-Grams and
Mini Note Totes were created with Nickelodeon's trademark elements of surprise,
irreverent wit and whimsy in mind.
"Nickspressions was born as a relative to those little
classroom valentines kids love so much," said Jeffrey Conrad, American Greetings
creative director and mastermind behind the program. "We wanted to give kids
that excitement all year-round."
Other Nickspressions products include:
* Fashion Statements: These funky interchangeable "slap
bracelets" hold a jewel charm with tiny notepads inside, featuring instant
messaging lingo.
* Secret Message Decoder: Complete with two decoders, mini
pens, code card storage and card reader, this clever kit enables kids to give
their friends notes only they can read. Decoders can be clipped to backpacks for
on-the-go fun.
* Greetnicks: These trading cards packed inside each
Nickspressions product allow kids to interact with the Nickspressions Web site (www.nickspressions.com)
and a special backpack clip. Access codes on the back of the Greetnicks give
kids access to video clips, games, quizzes and more fun activities.
The Nickspressions collection is available at retailers
nationwide including Target,
Meijer, Toys R Us, American Greetings and
Carlton Cards stores. The inexpensive products ($1.99 to $9.99) can be used for
school fun, as birthday favors or holiday stocking stuffers.
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