Orangutan Diaries on DVD October 2nd

“ORANGUTAN DIARIES” features stories of hope as this dedicated team attempts to save these fragile animals.

During the course of the film, the team introduces the newest and smallest orangutan, baby Arnold.  And they race through miles and miles of muddy roads in hopes of saving a young orangutan held illegally in a tiny crate.

Sumanto takes a terrifying fall at the center and fights for his life, while massive male Hercules, the hairiest orangutan you will ever meet, heads off for his annual leave on a river island.

Lone Droscher Nielson, the center’s director, is always looking for places where rescued orangutans can be released back into the wild and finally finds a refuge in the heart of Borneo. After months of planning, a handful of rescued orangutans are able to fly away to freedom, including Mama Abut and her baby, found starving on an oil palm plantation but nursed back to health at the centre.

Later, the confiscation team sets off on the most demanding rescue yet, with one of the technicians risking his life in a death-defying climb to get Bonny back where she belongs. “ORANGUTAN DIARIES” is an emotional roller coaster ride into the heart of the rainforest that presents an inside look at the lives of these animals on the edge.

My kids and I watched Orangutan Diaries together and were touch, inspired, and entertained by these amazing creatures! Seeing the love and care these animals have for one another and the bond created is just breathtaking.

And the filmography made our family feel as if we were in Borneo with the orangutans. The scenes were filled with emotion and excitement and each story brought on a new set of characters to fall in love with. Seeing the love and care put into helping these beautiful creatures was simply moving.

This film will not only keep your children entertained, it will teach them of the world beyond our reach and hopefully inspire them to continue to aid in the efforts for saving these magnificent and intelligent creatures.

Available on DVD from PBS Distribution October 2nd!

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of Orangutan Diaries for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Super Why Around the World Adventure {@PBSKids Review}

As I've mentioned before, our family has quite an obsession with PBS Kids programing. And Super Why is definitely high on the list of shows our kids love to watch.

Do you have a super reader at home? 

Then you have to check out their latest DVD, set to debut on June 19th, called Around the World Adventure. This DVD includes three different eposides: Around the World Adventure, Nalia and the Magic Map, and Jasper's Cowboy Wish.

All three episodes are adventure packed and perfect for your little explorer. I absolutely love how each episode focuses on creating solutions to their problems and finding the answers through words, letters, and stories in the books they read. Seeing my son's reactions to the questions the Super Why cast asks its audience warms my heart. I know that these shows are helping create a little book worm of the future.

Since these episodes are all about adventure, my son also learned about geography and locations in addition to the words and letters used in each episode. He is very interested in locations, directions, and geography so this piqued his need to know where things are and how to get there.

He loved helping along in the journeys each character took to find what they were looking for and even created a mini-version of the first episode with his stuffed animals and action figures a few days after watching the movie. It was quite funny to see his velociraptor being called Wigglesbottom.

After finishing an episode he quickly asks if we can watch another. And sometimes I'm the nice mommy who lets him watch all three episodes at once. This DVD has quickly become a favorite on our home and is sure to be a favorite in yours as well! My 18 month old daughter is even starting to catch on to the fun that letters, words, and stories bring.

Bonus features on the DVD include interactive games, music videos, printable activities and coloring pages, and resources for parents! I absolutely love that PBS Kids programing always has information for the parents to help their children learn and grow while watching the shows offered. This material really helps me, as a parent, allow the lessons they learn through watching the episodes really resonate through our play later on.

I know exactly what I'll be purchasing for potty training rewards... more Super Why DVDs!

Here's a preview of the DVD:

“Around the World Adventure” and “Naila and the Magic Map,” will also premiere during the special “SUPER WHY Around the World Adventure” on-air event, June 15 on PBS Kids.

Purchase Super Why: Around the World Adventure at Shop PBS .org on June 17th.

PBS Kids, the number one educational media brand for children, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information check out Super Why on PBSKids.org and check them out on Facebook to keep up with news and information about the latest videos, episodes and more.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Super Why: Around the World Adventure for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I Have A Pointer {Communication and Development}

No, we didn't get another dog. My daughter has started pointing! And I am loving it. When my son started pointing I didn't realize it was such a big deal until one of my friends (who happens to be a speech language pathologist) commented about it and let me know that it was a good sign that he was developing right on track.

I actually noticed it when I was playing Angry Birds on my smartphone and she kept reaching over from her seat on the couch to try and touch the screen with her little pointer finger. She saw me pointing at the screen (launching the birds) and wanted to do the same! Then on our most recent trip to Disneyland this past week she started pointing at things around her. So we took advantage of her interest and started telling her about everything she pointed at. She might have been overwhelmed just a bit...

It's important for kids under 12 months of age to be watched for signs that they're using their "voices" to relate to their environment. A few things to look for in your infant to make sure that they are on track are listed below. Knowing what's "normal" and what's not in speech and language development can help you figure out if you should be concerned or if your child is right on schedule.

Early Stages of Speech Development
Birth to 3 Months

• Respond to speech by looking at the speaker
• Respond differently to the voice of a parent than to other voices
• React to changes in a speaker's tone, pitch, volume, and intonation
• Respond differently to their home language and another language
• Communicate with bodily movements, by crying, babbling, and laughing
• Attempt to imitate sounds

3 Months to 6 Months

• Exchange sounds, facial expressions, or gestures with a parent or caregiver
• Listen to conversations
• Repeat some vowel and consonant sounds

6 Months to 9 Months

• Begin repetitive babbling (deaf children also start to babble with their hands)
• Associate gestures with simple words and two-word phrases, like "hi" and "bye-bye"
• Use vocal and non-vocal communication to express interest and influence others 
• Saying words like "mama" and "dada" (without really understanding what those words mean)

9 Months to 12 Months

• Understand the names of familiar people and objects (for example bottle, binky, etc.)
• Show their understanding with responsive body language and facial expressions
• Say a few words
• Respond to a firm "no" by stopping what they are doing

There are certain milestones that children are evaluated for at their well-baby visits. For the 12 month visit, pointing, gesturing and waving good-bye along with a few spoken words are great signs that a baby is on track developmentally. Being able to communicate for an infant can be difficult at times because of the lack of a vocabulary. But if you watch your infant closely you can see that they're constantly communicating with you in their own special way. And don't worry if your child hasn't met some or all of the developmental guides listed above. If you have any concerns about your child's development please speak with your pediatrician.

Sources: PBS, Kids Health, ASHA

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