I often hear moms say they don’t know what to do with their baby or toddler all day. They want to help them learn, develop and grow – but how. Now, I admit you don’t want to use the tv to “babysit” your child. But there is an awesome series of DVDs called Ebee’s Adventures that show you how to turn playtime into learning time! One DVD that I had an opportunity to watch was Figuring Things Out. It’s not meant for you just to plop your child in front of the tv. Instead you watch together and discover how you can learn colors and patterns by stacking blocks or cause-and-effects with turning a light bulb on and off.

Eebee is an adorable puppet character with crazy noodle hair that interacts with an adult woman. He has a limited vocabulary, like a real baby and/or toddler. There are also scenes where real children do the activities, as well. The DVD is meant for ages 12 months and up. My 16 month old really enjoyed watching with me! And it was fun re-enacting different play activities with our own toys!

For example, when Eebee plays with a flashlight, he his having a lot of fun following the light’s path. He learns about concentrating on objects, details and controlling items. I know my kids LOVE flashlight, shining it on things and creating shadows. So that is one fun activity that the DVD shows you and that you can re-enact at home.

Plus, what really rocks is the Play-by-Play Guide where a child expert explains each playtime activity and what your child is probably thinking and experiencing.

Eebee’s web site also has toys that you can purchase to help invigorate playtime learning at your house. First off, I love the Eebee Doll they have on their site – 17″! But they also have a bowling set, ball set and an Adventure Playmat/Play House that looks like loads of fun for a curious baby!

Eebee’s Adventures: Figuring Things Out is 75 minutes long. Its activities include The Lightbulb Goes On, Blocks & Tackling Ideas, and On the Go. It is approximately 75 minutes long.

via Eebees Adventures DVD SET | the Mom Buzz.

Based on the latest research on how babies learn and grow, eebee’s adventures are designed to help you and your baby transform everyday play, observation and exploration into learning that lasts.

Adventures go beyond letters, numbers and simple shapes. eebee’s adventures start with questions such as: How do I…? What happens when…? What if I…? What if you…? What if it…?

eebee’s adventures focus on the developmental skills that babies are working on and use as the foundation of all future learning. They provide models and ideas for enriching ordinary moments by presenting playful and real situations that young children (and parents!) can actually understand, build on and learn from.

eebee’s adventures feature eebee, the baby’s baby, along with infants 6 months and older who play and discover in a world that is real, engaging, and rich with possibilities.

Each of the first three 30-minute DVDs, EXPLORING REAL STUFF, ALL IN A DAY’S PLAY,and FIGURING THINGS OUT includes three 10-minute adventures, original music and songs, and “play-by-play” commentary by and interviews with developmental experts.

eebee’s adventures have been developed with renowned experts from Harvard University,  Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Massachusetts and University of Vermont, the Brazelton Institute and Reggio Emilia-influenced schools for infants and toddlers.

Products and My Thoughts

In this series of adventures, EXPLORING REAL STUFF, eebee and playmates explore a range of materials and everyday objects with the simple and enticing goal of finding out what these things are like. “What do things feel like?” “What sounds do they make?” “How do they move?” “Are they heavy or light?” “What can I do to them?” These are just a few of the questions eebee and friends actively take on.

Brimming with Ideas sets the adventure among tubs of cereal and grains, adding bowls, scoops, and funnels to enrich the possibilities.

In Out of the Box, a paper mountain and a cardboard box encourage infant “science,” “math,” and creative explorations.

And different balls, tubes, ramps, blocks and even a tissue box lead eebee and babies to discoveries about rolling, slipping and sliding in On a Roll.

First, let me say that my daughter loves eebee! She gets so excited when eebee is up on the screen and she is enthralled with watching other babies interact. Right now her passions is playing with balloons, balls and the bubble wrap that comes in my packages (under supervision of course and only to step on to pop the bubbles). She intently watches a ball roll across the room, and squeals when she throws it. In Exploring Real Stuff babies are encouraged to interact with everyday things in your home, like tissue paper and boxes. My daughter really liked this show.

The many teachable, unplanned and unscripted learning moments that fill a baby’s day are the inspiration for ALL IN A DAY’S PLAY. No matter how ordinary the materials or the situation might seem, for a baby, the possibilities are anything but.

Laundry List, an adventure set in and around a laundry basket, features eebee in a world of colors, textures, and language explorations. From peek-a-boo to talking socks, from baby basketball to laundry basket sailboat, the list of ideas to explore can get long (and short, soft, stretchy, and even see-through.)

Just You & Me, a collection of mini-adventures, designed for a baby, grown-up and only the most basic materials, demonstrate that babies learn in the simplest situations: figuring out what will happen in game of “elevator” or “airplane;” hearing the same story read different ways; or playing silly games that reinforce social, emotional and cognitive skills.

Cups, bowls, pots, pans, and spoons are the central props eebee and babies rely on in Little Objects, Big Ideas. Putting things in and taking them out and hearing the sounds they make as they drop, move or meet one another, lead to musical exploration and some new ideas about containers and “the contained.”

This DVD has got to be my favorite one as it reminds me so much of my daughter. Laundry is a big deal around here and she is always found sitting in a basket with clothes on top of her playing around. She has stuck her hands in socks and laughed about it as well as wore a pair of shorts on her head, it seems she is always looking at clothes. And don’t get me started on cups and bowls and pots and pans. She LOVES playing with all these, my container draw is always emptied when she is in the kitchen. She loves banging things around and was really excited to see babies playing on this DVD.

Reflecting the day to day challenges and discoveries that define a toddler’s world,  FIGURING THINGS OUT showcases what can happen when a child’s newfound motor skills support her natural curiosity and interest in making things work and achieving goals.

Turning a light on and off, tracking a flashlight’s beam, and exploring the magic of playing with shadows are the focus of The Light Bulb Goes On adventure.

In Blocks and Tackling Ideas, creating (and crashing!) towers, laying rows, stacking cups and fitting different pieces together lead to a range physical, cognitive, social and creative skill building activities.

And in On the Go, a mountain of pillows, and a room full of obstacles to get over, under, around and through set the scene for an adventure that celebrates the ups and downs, ins and outs of getting where and what you want.

My toddler really loves the eebee series and is always asking to watch “EE-EE” as she puts it, still working on words, but she watches these DVDs with such intensity I would love to know what is going on in that little mind of hers. I really enjoy watching these shows with her and helping her to interact with things that are around us. I highly recommend this series to everyone, it is a great stepping stone to teach your child about the world around them. There is so much more to check out on their website, so head on over you are bound to find something you like.

via The Dirty Shirt | eebee’s Adventures DVD Review.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Natalie Judd (for V-me) 203-389-5223 or njudd@dex-p.com

V-me announces innovative parenting programming hosted by Thalia
Network to feature award-winning eebee’s adventures during upfront

NEW YORK, May 19, 2009 – V-me, one of America’s largest Spanish broadcast networks, announces a new, short-form parenting series hosted by Latina superstar, Thalia for its 2009-2010 upfront.  Las aventuras de eebee, created by Every Baby Company, engages viewers and their babies in rich play experiences and is a natural complement to V-me’s Peabody award – winning parenting program, Los Ninos en su Casa.

“With the best preschool block on Spanish TV and our daily parenting offer, V-me is a real destination for mothers, caregivers and young children, and the perfect environment for this engaging content,” said Frank Donaldson, SVP and director advertising sales. “Adding  the award winning program eebee’s adventures with a  personality like Thalia into the mix, makes the offer even more compelling, for viewers as well as sponsors.”

Las aventuras de eebee, features superstar mom Thalia as she interacts with eebee – “the baby’s baby” – in entertaining vignettes that help parents of infants aged 6 months and up transform everyday moments into learning that lasts.  Activities based on the latest early child development research provide enriched play experiences for parent and baby alike.

“We are very excited to introduce eebee to the Latino community and join the positive, fun and educational environment V-me creates for parents and young children everyday,” said Stephen Gass, co-founder and president of Every Baby Company.

About V-me
V-me, one of America’s largest Spanish networks, entertains and informs Latino families in Spanish with primetime drama, music, sports, current affairs and Latin cinema, along with world class kids, food, lifestyle and nature. The 24-hour network, partnered with public television stations, is currently available in over 60% of all Hispanic homes – rising to 80% by year end. V-me is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc. To find out more visit VmeTV.com.

About Every Baby Company
The Every Baby Company was founded in 2004 with a simple yet essential mission to be a catalyst for rich play experiences. It began with the award-winning and critically acclaimed eebee’s adventures, an innovative, character-based DVD series, for infants and toddlers. It is the first infant media property effectively based on the most recent research in early learning as well as the use of creative media. Today, eebee’s adventures programming is available On-Demand as well as on DVD. In 2007, it launched its first plush toy line at FAO Schwartz. In 2008, a new book series rolled out at Barnes & Noble and other fine book stores. eebee’s adventures has received 20 national parenting awards including Parents’ Choice Awards, Parenting Magazine’s “DVD of the Year” Award,” Creative Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice Award, the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, iParenting Media’s Outstanding Product Award, and the Mr. DAD Seal of Approval.

###

Let me introduce you to our good friend Eebee. Eebee is one of our sponsors to Blogher and let me tell you right now that it was super important to me that the people sponsoring me for Blogher were products I could really be proud to represent and Eebee Adventures is no exception to that rule.

Eebee’s Adventures is a dvd series that I will have a full review of here shortly, and we did a review of the cloth books not long ago as well. I’m still not caught dead without a Eebee cloth book in my car at all times as they are one of the few things that will occupy Connor for a good lenght of time in the car as they are more toys than books but hold the appeal of both. The first time we actually got to “meet” Eebee though was in the form of the Eebee If the Shape Fits toy. You most likely wondering why I call it “meeting” Eebee, heh, well as far as Connor is concerned Eebee is real and he carries around and plays with his own Eebee doll strangely the same as if he was interacting with another baby. Something about the size of the toys and Eebee itself makes these toys really inviting. Not to mention that the Eebee on the dvd series looks exactly like the dolls so I really think Connor just thinks that the Eebee on the TV is the exact same Eebee thats sitting in the chair with him.

Back to the toy at hand… the If The Shape Fits Eebee toy is really unlike any other shape sorting toy you have ever seen. Included is a 12″ Eebee doll and four soft plush shapes that fit easily on Eebee’s arms and legs, as well as stretch to fit over any one’s arms or legs including your babies, yours, or even the family dog. I had to mention that part as Connor attempted this as soon as he realized the shapes fit on my arms they must fit on Melos’s neck. Melos, my chihuahua, was not nearly as impressed with this fact but they do infact fit. heh. I wouldn’t consider it a traditoinal shape sorting toy as there is no central pole where you stack your shapes as you use your own arms or legs as the venue.

What really makes the If The Shape Fits Eebee toy really special is it really forces you and your child to interact in a way that you might not previously. The baby gets to explore his or her own body by wearing the forms on their arms or legs as well as explore the caregiver by putting the forms on his/her arms as well. Really that is what makes Eebee so unique and incredibly special, all of the toys and dvds in the Eebee collection are specifically designed to encourage the caregiver/child connection. The shapes are plush so they are much more inviting to touch and feel than plastic forms. Not to mention that the toy will grow with your child as once your done playing with the plush shapes the doll is the perfect companion for infants and up. Connor regards his own Eebee with the sort of regard as you would a best friend.

You should really go and check out all the Eebee products on the Eebee Adventures website! While your there pick up your very own Eebee If the Shape Fits toy! Stay tuned for more information about Eebee as we get closer to Blogher as I’ll be talking about them alot in the coming weeks!

via Seven Dogs and A Baby: This turns your idea of a shape sorter on its head..

V-me presentó su upfront para el 2009-2010

NUEVA YORK: En lo que fue su segundo upfront, V-me mostró a su audiencia, compuesta por ejecutivos de la cadena, anunciantes y prensa, la programación para el período 2009-2010.

El evento, que se realizó en el recinto del Samsung Experience de Nueva York, fue definido como “una mezcla perfecta de entretenimiento inteligente, comprometido y con una difusión que va creciendo rápidamente”.

V-me se trasmite por aire y por cable básico en casi 40 de los mercados más importantes y llega a cada mercado en la modalidad de paquetes básicos para Dish Network y DIRECTV. La cadena proyecta su llegada al 80 por ciento de los hogares hispanos para fin de año.

“V-me se ha propuesto convertirse en la cadena hispana con más rápido crecimiento en la historia de la televisión”, dijo Carmen DiRienzo, presidenta y CEO de V-me. “Hemos cumplido esta promesa y más. Nuestras estaciones y nuestros socios de difusión reconocen el importante papel que V-me juega en la comunidad latina y han colaborado con nosotros para construir una plataforma sólida a nivel nacional, lo que ha hecho de V-me una de las emisoras en español de mayor envergadura en Estados Unidos”.

“La calidad y diversidad de V-me marcan una diferencia con otras cadenas en español”, comento Guillermo Sierra, VP sénior y director ejecutivo de contenido de la compañía. “Con un estilo enfocado al estilo de vida de los latinos, cine, miniseries, cultura, deportes, hechos de actualidad y la más extensa programación para educación preescolar en la televisión en español, V-me atrae a cada miembro de la familia latina: adultos, mujeres, hombres y niños”.

Como parte de la nueva programación 2009-2010 se encuentra Las aventuras de Eebee, una serie de corta duración que se enfoca en la crianza de los hijos presentado por la estrella latina y reciente mamá, Thalía; Estudio Billboard, el original y popular programa de música y entrevistas de V-me producido en colaboración con la revista Billboard, Música latina USA – especial, una visión refrescante de la historia musical estadounidense que se desarrolla en cinco décadas, y muchos estilos que adoptan sonidos latinos y artistas que han enriquecido la música popular en Estados Unidos; El portaviones, una serie de 10 horas, que es un éxito de taquilla de Icon Productions, que pertenece al productor ejecutivo Mel Gibson, lleva a los televidentes hacia el portaviones USS Nimitz durante el despliegue militar en la guerra del Golfo Pérsico; Crónicas salvajes, serie de National Geographic, le toma el pulso al planeta con exploradores y científicos cuyo acceso único al mundo natural los lleva a resolver misterios y abogar por la protección del medio; La hora El gourmet.com, espacio culinario en español y en línea con atractivas personalidades, consejos, técnicas de chefs latinos de primer nivel, al igual que recetas y mucho más; y LazyTown, una de las franquicias televisivas más populares, entrega mucha energía al bloque educacional más extenso para niños en la televisión en español, junto con nuevas oportunidades de difusión y promoción.

via TV Latina – Articles.

Parental Vignettes, Docu-Series, Movie Specials On Tap

Complete Upfronts 2009 coverage from Multichannel News

Two-year-old V-me unveiled a diverse slate of programming additions to its schedule during its upfront presentation to advertisers.

Executives at the service said it’s on track to reach 80% of Hispanic households by year’s end through a combination of cable, satellite and over-the-air carriage.

“V-me has aimed to become the fastest-growing network in Spanish TV history,” said president and CEO Carmen DiRienzo. “We have kept this promise and more. Our stations and distribution partners recognize the important role that V-me plays in the Latino community and have worked with us to build a solid national platform making V-me one of America’s biggest Spanish broadcasters.”

Favoring a multiplatform approach, V-me delivers creative solutions for more than 30 clients. From entitlements, short-form programming, special in-program features and integration, to mobile and online engagement, the network said it’s working with agencies and more than 30 clients to develop innovative three-screen executions.

“V-me does not follow a cookie-cutter approach to working with clients,” said senior vice president and director of sales Frank Donaldson. “Working in collaboration with clients and agencies, our sales team is able to develop multimedia programs that deliver value and directly target Latino consumers across all our media platforms.”

On the programming side, V-me, which held its upfront presentation May 20 at New York City’s Samsung Experience, talked up shows that cut across genres and formats.

Las Aventuras de Eebee is a short-form series hosted by Latina superstar –and new mother — Thalia, in vignettes that help parents of kids six months and up transform everyday moments into learning that lasts.

From short to long-form, V-me will present the world Hispanic premiere of Carrier, a 10-hour, docu-reality series from executive producer Mel Gibson that takes viewers aboard the USS Nimitz during its wartime deployment in the Persian Gulf.

The network will continue with La Hora El Gourmet.com, the on-air and online cooking block that features tips and techniques from top Latin chefs.

With Cronicas Salvajes (Wild Chronicles), explorers and scientists trek the natural world to solve its mysteries and cry out for its protection. Moreover, this year viewers can compete for a chance to be V-me’s host in the Spanish-language version of the acclaimed National Geographic series.

As for music, the network will return Estudio Billboard, its interview program produced with Billboard Magazine, whose Leila Cobo talks with top Latin artists about their life art and share performances.

During Hispanic Heritage Month in October, V-me will team with PBS on Musica Latina USA, a pair of two-hour specials featuring profiles and performances from Salsa legends Willie Colón and Marc Anthony, and Latin-flavored rock from Motown to the Rolling Stones. Among the others in the specials’ spotlight: Flaco Jiménez, Carlos Santana, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, Gloria and Emilio Estefan; Juanes, Miami rapper Pitbull, Reggaeton’s Daddy Yankee and Tego Calderón, and Lin-Manuel Miranda of the Tony-winning “In the Heights.”

The channel is owned by V-me Media, Inc., a partnership of New York City PBS member station WNET, and private investors.

via Upfronts 2009: V-me Mixes In Short-, Long-Form Fare – 2009-05-25 04:45:00 | Multichannel News.

Thalia can do it just like Luis Miguel’s wife Aracely Arambula, only better. Miss Motola is set to host a new show on the trendy V-Me called “Las Aventuras De Eebee” where she’ll be giving out tips on childcare.

Mmm, wasn’t she gonna put out a cd? Go to more Galas? Put out more beauty books? Sheez. Where does she find the time?

via Thalia To Host Kids Show “Las Aventuras De Eebee” | Guanabee.

¿Quién dijo que Aracely Arámbula es la única que puede conducir un programa infantil por televisión? Según se informó en las últimas horas, Thalía podría haber sido convocada para hacerle competencia a la mujer de Luis Miguel.

Tras varios años de ausencia en la pantalla chica, Thalía volverá a la televisión para conducir Las Aventuras de Eebee, un programa que emitirá la cadena de cable V-Me y en el cual la cantante dará consejos sobre el cuidado de los niños.

“Juntar el programa con una personalidad como Thalía, hace que la oferta sea aún más irresistible para los televidentes, como también para los patrocinadores”, aseguró Frank Donaldson, vicepresidente de ventas publicitarias de V-Me.

Según se informó, en el programa Thalía interactuará con un muñeco llamado Eebee y dará consejos a los padres para que eduquen a sus hijos.

¿Qué te parece la incorporación de Thalía a un programa de televisión para padres?

via Thalía conducirá un programa como el de Aracely Arámbula | Pop Chismes.

Thalia, la talentosa superestrella mexicana y también multifacética mamá, se lanza a una nuevo reto televisivo y se trata de “Las aventuras de Eebee” un programa en español dirigido a ayudar a los padres hispanos en los Estados Unidos en el aprendizaje de sus hijos. Con actividades divertidas y con lo último en investigaciones para estimular a temprana edad, “Las aventuras de Eebee” enseñan y entretienen de forma adecuada a bebés de 6 meses en adelante, en un ambiente educativo y de juegos.

El estreno de “Las aventuras de Eebee” con Thalia será en Septiembre 2009 por V-me en sociedad con Every Baby Company.

V-me es una de las cadenas de televisión en español con mayor crecimiento en los Estados Unidos.

Alberto Armendáriz entrevisto a Thalia desde Nueva York. Aqui parte de la nota:
“Son juegos didácticos para la madre y el bebé. Se estimulan todos los sentidos motivando al bebé en cada paso. La gente de la producción del programa (Every Baby Company) me llamó porque sabía que me encantaba, y me propusieron ser la compañera de Eebee en los videos en español.

“Me fascinó el proyecto porque yo vi los resultados en mi hija: su crecimiento y la rapidez con que iba aprendiendo. A mí me ayudó muchísimo a relajarme como madre”, explicó Thalía.

Para el director de contenidos de V-me, Guillermo Sierra, la incorporación de la cantante a estas cápsulas, de siete minutos, le da una gracia y un tono latino muy especial al programa.

“Más allá del componente artístico, Thalía le aporta una credibilidad doble, porque ella es parte de la comunidad latina que vive en Estados Unidos y porque es una madre primeriza que pasa por las mismas cosas que cualquier madre nueva”, indicó Sierra.

Visita nuestra galeria de Mamás Latinas Famosas!

via Mamá Contemporánea: V-me anuncia programa de TV para padres conducido por Thalia.

eebee’s adventures are designed to engage you and your baby with rich play experiences that provide powerful lessons that memorizing letters, numbers, colors and shapes simply can and do not.

• Take initiative and act on their natural curiosity
• Make clear choices among different materials and experiences
• Vary their strategies and try different approaches
• Persist at a goal and stick to a task
• Share their discoveries and seek social interaction

These are the real basic skills of your baby’s first years and these are the hallmarks of great thinkers and achievers. The research is clear that the best way for babies to grow and strengthen these skills—the skills they need to succeed in life—is to play.

Every baby learns by doing.

Serious Kid Tested:

The Serious girls received three DVDs to watch; all in a day’s play, figuring things out, and exploring real stuff. Both girls (ages 2.5 years and 7 months) started watching the videos with a lot of interest. Natalie really enjoyed the portions with the music. During the times when there wasn’t music, they were performing a task like pouring water out of a tub or playing peek-a-boo. At these times, I found I was really interacting with my girls a lot more as they weren’t as interested in the DVDs; it sort of directed our play. As the movie progressed, we were playing and interacting together more and more.

While our girls were not as interested in these movies as others, I definitely think they were a benefit to us. It allowed us to play together in different ways that I never would have thought of. It showed Natalie things that I wouldn’t be able to do in our living room, but also incorporated new play ideas.

I also noticed Isabelle trying to play with Natalie more. When she saw peek-a-boo with eebee, she really wanted to play with Natalie, and did.

We will definitely continue watching these and playing in different ways.

via Really, Are You Serious?: Eebee Review and Giveaway (Closed).

Every baby learns by doing.
This is the driving idea behind Eebee baby and even better for parents of little ones, Eebee shows how your baby can learn at home without having to buy a heap of “educational” toys!

Currently there are three creative and fun Eebee DVDs. Each are thirty minutes long, divided into three 10-minute segments.

The character Eebee is herself colorful and engaging, and the original songs add to the excitement.

For parents, there is a information galore from developmental experts, as they explain each activity from a “clinical” perspective, which is exactly my cup of tea. I love learning about how my child learns!

Eebee’s Adventures – Exploring Real Stuff has ideas for letting babies 6 months and older experience their world though touch, and sound.

The first segment, Brimming with Ideas, is filled with pouring activities that reminded me very much of Jojo’s Montessori education. Let your little one pour and scoop with cereals and grains. Who doesn’t love a good romp with a rice bin?

Out of the Box is an introduction to math and science concepts. Now, it isn’t as lofty as it sounds; these “lessons” are taught using paper and cardboard boxes!

Discovering properties, feeling, stretching, tearing, crumpling, finding, hiding, crinkling, pulling, pushing, waving, weighing

On a Roll highlights fun activities to do with balls, such as learning about texture by rolling them on different surfaces.

Eebee’s Adventures – All in a Day’s Play! is an Eebee DVD title for ages 6 months and above. My favorite segment, the first, Laundry List, is all about fun things to do with the laundry basket and piles of (clean) laundry! Deeds loves playing with the laundry, and it is great to know how to use his interest to build his language skills and help his imagination grow!

The Just You & Me focuses on relational activities between parent and child. You will learn how to make the same old book exciting in those times you are made to read it repeatedly! I love the silly games that help teach social skills.

Little Objects, Big Ideas is about something that all mobile babies seem to love: making noise with cups, bowls, pots, pans, and spoons.

Eebee’s Adventures – Figuring Things Out is geared toward toddlers, ages 1 to 2.

Deeds is fascinated by lights right now, so the The Light Bulb Goes On is a lovely segment for him! We actually do all of the activities, because Deeds demands them: turning the light on and off. And on and off. And…one more time! Tracking light with a flashlight beam (Deeds likes to be in charge of the flashlight though), and fun with shadows! Jojo, who is 4 1/2, enjoys these activities as well, but maybe for different reasons. He actually kind of understands how to make shadow puppets now!

The second segment, themed Blocks and Tackling Ideas focuses on building (and the fun part, knocking things down!). This activity is actually a source of contention for Jojo and Deeds because they can’t agree over exactly when the knocking down should occur…

On the Go is a segment designed to really get your little one moving as they perform physical feats such as scaling mountains of pillows! Deeds is a natural climber (it makes my life very difficult some times), and Jojo loves to be challenged when I set up indoor obstacles and pretend to time him.

Deeds will certainly learn a lot with Eebee, but I learned something too.

I learned to look at the things that Deeds likes to do (such as pouring things out, making noise, ripping paper, and shoving folded clothes into the laundry basket in a way that makes them become wrinkled again) in a new light.

Before, I would of course grow annoyed at his repetitive meddling. But Eebee made me realize that these are things that Deeds NEEDS to do in order to make sense of his world.

So, instead of trying to body block him to keep him out of the kitchen cabinets, I’m now trying to stretch my brain to set him up with an activity that makes him feel a part of the action.

A wad of play dough and plastic knife on a cutting board or a big bowl of water and measuring cups can keep Deeds happy, engaged, and out of trouble, which saves me a lot of stress!

via Eebee Award Winning DVDs for Babies and Toddlers | Mom Most Traveled.

Here is some information from eebee’s site:

our philosophy

eebee’s adventures are designed to engage you and your baby with rich play experiences that provide powerful lessons that memorizing letters, numbers, colors and shapes simply can and do not.

Watching and, importantly, “doing” eebee’s adventures will allow you and your baby to see and learn first-hand what happens when you explore a crinkly, crunchy, smooth and bumpy paper mountain or roll, bounce, bop, bang, slide and toss your way around a world of balls and ramps.

We know that when your child is playing, she is actively trying to figure things out about objects and people—why did that ball roll and the block slide? How did he do that? Why did that happen?… The questions, theories and solutions just continue to evolve as your child develops and masters a myriad of critical physical, social and intellectual skills—playing and learning about how the world works and he works in it.

Every parent can recount a time when their infant headed straight for that curtain to give it a pull; or happily opted to tear the wrapping paper rather then engage with the gift; or tried and tried to get the round peg into the square hole; or simply offered you whatever was in their hand.

Babies will instinctively:
~Take initiative and act on their natural curiosity
~Make clear choices among different materials and experiences
~Vary their strategies and try different approaches
~Persist at a goal and stick to a task
~Share their discoveries and seek social interaction

These are the real basic skills of your baby’s first years and these are the hallmarks of great thinkers and achievers. The research is clear that the best way for babies to grow and strengthen these skills—the skills they need to succeed in life—is to play.

DVD’s were a hit in my house with my youngest! She loves the characters!

via Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls: Eebee’s Adventures DVD

While many mothers might shake their heads in shame at me, I let my boys watch tv. They call them shows. I really need that break in the day and despite what my recent psychology class suggested, I believe that educational programing rocks! I am a firm believer that if you are sitting with your child while watching a show and talk about what they are watching, that there can be great benefits.Which is why I am in love with Eebee ‘s Adventures. Eebee’s Adventures are educational dvd’s that are great for babies. Eebe’s Adventures is different from other educational baby shows that display images on the screen. Each dvd begins by asking questions like “How do I…, What happens when.., and What if it…?” Eebe’s Adventures uses active play to encourage the baby and toddler to learn. They even show parents interacting with their child and show different ways to explore their environment. Their site says “Every baby learns by doing.”

Even though my boys are almost 3 and 4, they loved these dvd’s. My husband and I were at our wits end while I was studying for finals one afternoon. I needed to study and he needed sanity from the boys constant whining. I popped in one of Eebee’s Adventures and they instantly became quiet. It was wonderful!

I got to try out three Eebee’s Adventures dvd’s and you have a chance to win the same three! How sweet! These make great gifts for your baby, grandchild, or as a baby shower present.

via Forever and Always: Eebee’s Adventures DVD’S Giveaway!.

V-me announces innovative parenting programming hosted by Thalía

NEW YORK, May 19, 2009 – V-me, one of America’s largest Spanish broadcast networks, announces a new, short-form parenting series hosted by Latina superstar, Thalía for its 2009-2010 upfront. Las aventuras de eebee, created by Every Baby Company, engages viewers and their babies in rich play experiences and is a natural complement to V-me’s Peabody award – winning parenting program, Los Ninos en su Casa.

“With the best preschool block on Spanish TV and our daily parenting offer, V-me is a real destination for mothers, caregivers and young children, and the perfect environment for this engaging content,” said Frank Donaldson, SVP and director advertising sales. “Adding the award winning program eebee’s adventures with a personality like Thalía into the mix, makes the offer even more compelling, for viewers as well as sponsors.”

Las aventuras de eebee, features superstar mom Thalía as she interacts with eebee – “the baby’s baby” – in entertaining vignettes that help parents of infants aged 6 months and up transform everyday moments into learning that lasts. Activities based on the latest early child development research provide enriched play experiences for parent and baby alike.

“We are very excited to introduce eebee to the Latino community and join the positive, fun and educational environment V-me creates for parents and young children everyday,” said Stephen Gass, co-founder and president of Every Baby Company.

About V-me

V-me, one of America’s largest Spanish networks, entertains and informs Latino families in Spanish with primetime drama, music, sports, current affairs and Latin cinema, along with world class kids, food, lifestyle and nature. The 24-hour network, partnered with public television stations, is currently available in over 60% of all Hispanic homes – rising to 80% by year end. Vme is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc. To find out more visit VmeTV.com.

About Every Baby Company

The Every Baby Company was founded in 2004 with a simple yet essential mission to be a catalyst for rich play experiences. It began with the award-winning and critically acclaimed eebee’s adventures, an innovative, character-based DVD series, for infants and toddlers. It is the first infant media property effectively based on the most recent research in early learning as well as the use of creative media. Today, eebee’s adventures programming is available On-Demand as well as on DVD. In 2007, it launched its first plush toy line at FAO Schwartz. In 2008, a new book series rolled out at Barnes & Noble and other fine book stores. eebee’s adventures has received 20 national parenting awards including Parents’ Choice Awards, Parenting Magazine’s “DVD of the Year” Award,” Creative Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice Award, the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, iParenting Media’s Outstanding Product Award, and the Mr. DAD Seal of Approval.

via Nuestra Thalía .::. Ultimate English Thalía Fan Site.

So far I have watched and reviewed two DVDs featuring Eebee. I call these DVDs my “Better than Baby Einstein DVDs“. That’s because Baby Einstein DVDs are intended for little ones to sit, stare and watch. Do you know what happens when you watch TV? Your body actually goes into a semi hypnotic state that is just one step above sleeping! The only time your body burns less calories is when you are sleeping! Even when you are on the computer, you are burning more calories. So, why would we really want to do that to our children at 6 months?

Now I admit, my kids watch television. I just don’t want television to be a crutch or babysitter. And that’s why I like Eebee’s Adventures videos, like Exploring Real Stuff. Because when you do sit and watch you will gain all sorts of fun ideas where you and your child can learn through play, imitate what you saw and explore stuff around the house.

One of my favorite activities they did was have Eebee and kids sit in large containers and fill it with Cheerios! The children felt the texture and manipulated it. The same with rice.

Another great example was with a box. They had a big box on its side, using the opening as a door and there were shapes cut out on it to peek through. And the kids just sat and played going in and out of the box. Now, this is a game we often do in the Mom Buzz house. Big boxes are a magnet for them and I try to keep it around for a day to entertain the kids and play with them.

Paper is another fun idea. Tissue paper to tear, twist and see the bright colors. Definitely a learning opportunity to teach colors, too!

They also had a ball with … BALLS! All types of balls, different sizes and different shapes. Rolling them down ramps, rolling from one another, rolling up ramps and trying to catch them. Balls are another BIG toy in our house. My littlest one loves playing with them, so it definitely helped inspire me to try new things with the ball then just bouncing or rolling it back and forth!

Eebee’s Adventures: Exploring Real Stuff is for ages 6 months and up. The running time is 75 minutes. Throughout the DVD you will discover how to teach the following concepts to your child through everyday play:

Cause and Effect
Adding, Removing
Scooping, Filling, Spreading
Feeling, Touching
Stretching, Tearing, Crumpling
Finding, Hiding
Pulling, Pushing,
Waving
Weighing
Rolling
Smooth, Bumpy
Light, Heavy
Up, Down
Over, Through

So, if you are stuck and need inspiration on how to help your baby learn and grow, check out the DVD selection from Eebee’s Adventures. You can also read my review on All in a Day’s Play and Figuring Things Out.

via Eebee’s Adventures: Exploring Real Stuff | the Mom Buzz

I recently received a copy of Eebee’s Adventures: All in a Day’s Play. If you are an avid reader of the Mom Buzz, you probably already know who Eebee is! Pretty much, Eebee is an adorable puppet character with crazy noodle hair that interacts with a real woman. He has a limited vocabulary, like a real baby and/or toddler.

Eebee’s Adventures: All in a Day’s Play is for ages 6 months and up and is a winner of a Parent’s Choice Award! The DVD is 75 minutes long and includes a play-by-play guide and a developmental perspective. This helps parents understand what their little ones may be thinking and why they act the way they do.

This DVD differs than the other one I reviewed, because Eebee is “younger”. In the DVD he experiences playing with different textures of material (aka Laundry). He played with different shaped toys, putting them in and out of a basket. He also learns to anticipate outcomes and take turns.

Eebee and the woman do a lot of reading. It shows how you don’t have to read a book straight through – but you can help your child discover different things every time it is read. I love the book they “made”, which was a book about Eebee and then close-ups of his hair, eyes, nose, etc. I want to make one with my son! And what’s cool is that first they explore the body parts, but then they elaborate on his crazy hair, and then when they read again they find even more things to talk about – all with the same book. So it makes you think, when you read your child’s favorite book you don’t have to stick to the words on the page. Bring out colors, numbers, feelings and thoughts. It’s a way cool idea!

Finally, they show how little objects can bring about BIG IDEAS! Eebee and the children experimented with different objects to create their own kind of music and rhythms. You saw other children jump right in, shaking rattles and banging blocks! It was a lot of fun.

Another scene I liked was when they played “elevator”, since I do something similar with my own kids. It’s also a good exercise. You simply lay on your back and lift your child up and down, saying cute things like, “Elevator up!” and you kiss them when they go back down.

As usual, my kids loved the DVD. For example, there was a scene where the woman would pretend to sleep and wake up. After we watched, my three year old started to do the same thing, making my one year old giggle! And funny enough, I was folding laundry when we were watching this DVD. So my 1-year old took my basket and started putting things in and out, just like on the DVD. Eventually he put himself in a basket, which was cute. It’s amazing what the kids take away from this DVD!

And that’s the whole point of Eebee’s Adventures! You watch, but you don’t use it as a means to distract your child. Instead, you watch, learn and then PLAY with your child! That’s why the DVD extras really rock and you should make a point to watch them too! So if you are looking for new activities or wondering what you should do with your child every day – this DVD is a great starting point for inspiration!

I tried to find a clip from the video, but failed. Sorry. But I did find this ADORABLE clip from a different video. It gives you an idea of what Eebee is about!

Don’t forget to read my other review of Figuring Things Out. Visit the first review to learn more!

via Eebee’s Adventures: All in a Day’s Play | the Mom Buzz

A LITTLE ABOUT EEBEE’s ADVENTURES:

Based on the latest research on how babies learn and grow, eebee’s adventures are designed to help you and your baby transform everyday play, observation and exploration into learning that lasts.

ADVENTURES GO BEYOND LETTERS, NUMBERS AND SIMPLE SHAPES.

eebee’s adventures start with questions such as: How do I…? What happens when…? What if I…? What if you…? What if it…?

eebee’s adventures focus on the developmental skills that babies are working on and use as the foundation of all future learning. They provide models and ideas for enriching ordinary moments by presenting playful and real situations that young children (and parents!) can actually understand, build on and learn from.

Every day and every waking moment, babies work at figuring out how the world works and they work in their world. From babbling to chatting; from rolling to running; from stacking to building; from my turn to your turn: these are a child’s first real-life learning adventures—adventures that lay the foundation for all future learning. These are eebee moments, the basis of the learning that lasts…for every baby, with every parent.**

IE MOMMY SAYS:

I was the mom that played music and read to her belly while she was pregnant. I was the mom that spoke to my infant as if they understood grown-up speech. I guess that is one of the reasons that I was attracted to the eebee’s adventures DVD line.

The engaging characters, colors and music all blend together to create a fun, creative learning environment for your child. The philosophy that curiosity and the act of “doing” help children to learn is one that we have fostered in our home from day one.

As a home school family you learn that many little every day moments lend themselves to larger discussions and opportunities for learning. eebee’s adventures reflect that sense of learning and philosophy.

• Exploring Real Stuff - eebee and playmates explore a range of materials and everyday objects with the simple and enticing goal of finding out what these things are like. “What do things feel like?” “What sounds do they make?” “How do they move?” “Are they heavy or light?” “What can I do to them?” These are just a few of the questions eebee and friends actively take on in Exploring Real Stuff
  
• All in a Day’s Play - The many teachable, unplanned and unscripted learning moments that fill a baby’s day are the inspiration for ALL IN A DAY’S PLAY. No matter how ordinary the materials or the situation might seem, for a baby, the possibilities are anything but.
  
• Figuring Things Out - Reflecting the day to day challenges and discoveries that define a toddler’s world, FIGURING THINGS OUT showcases what can happen when a child’s newfound motor skills support her natural curiosity and interest in making things work and achieving goals.
  
  

via Spotlight on “EEBEE” (Giveaway) « The IE Mommy.

In Exploring Real Stuff, eebee and playmates explore a range of materials and everyday objects with the simple and enticing goal of finding out what these things are like.

All in a Day’s Play is inspired by the many teachable, unplanned and unscripted learning moments that fill a baby’s day.

Figuring Things Out showcases what can happen when a child’s newfound motor skills support her natural curiosity and interest in making things work and achieving goals.

eebee’s adventures DVDs can be purchased individually for $17.95. You can also purchase the 3 DVD set for $48.45 with free shipping. Books, toys and clothing are also available.

via My Charmed Life: eebee’s adventures DVD Review

We have several DVDs for infants, and some for toddlers, and at times it’s hard to find one that both my boys will want to watch at the same time. However, we recently received eebee’s adventures DVDs which not only kept both of my boys’ attention, but I had fun too watching eebee in all his adventures!

According to the website, “eebee’s adventures are designed to engage you and your baby with rich play experiences that provide powerful lessons that memorizing letters, numbers, colors and shapes simply can and do not…We know that when your child is playing, she is actively trying to figure things out about objects and people—why did that ball roll and the block slide? How did he do that? Why did that happen?… The questions, theories and solutions just continue to evolve as your child develops and masters a myriad of critical physical, social and intellectual skills—playing and learning about how the world works and he works in it…Every baby learns by doing.”

We were fortunate to receive Exploring Real Stuff!, All in a Day’s Play!, and Figuring Things Out! (ARV $17.95 each or all three for $48.45).

One of the ideas we immediately tried was getting lots of paper (I used old tissue paper) so Smiley Boy could feel and listen to all the crinkling and see all the colors. He seemed to be more interested in trying to eat the paper, but I could tell he was also having fun crumpling the paper!

All in a Day’s Play! (6 months+): No matter how ordinary the materials or the situation might seem, for a baby, the possibilities are anything but.

via Sage and Savvy: eebee’s adventures.