Exploramania

How can you stay fit and still enjoy eating over the holidays?

2010-11-22T15:05:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and Christmas, Chanukah and New Years are soon to follow. Not to mention that the kids have school vacation and when we get out of our routines and celebrate various holidays we tend to eat more than usual and indulge in special treats. This is especially true during the winter when cooler temps often keep us indoors and make us want to watch TV and movies or enjoy video games which are often accompanied by yummy - and not so healthy - snacks. Just think of all the foods associated with the next few upcoming holidays

Regardless of the time of year, the climate or what holiday may be occurring, you can keep your kids healthy by encouraging an active lifestyle. Kids in the United States are less fit and less active today than a generation ago. Obesity and being overweight is an increasing problem amongst adults as well as kids.

Parents need to take the lead in increasing the families level of fitness, which will not only help the family members lose weight, but also reduce the risk for certain diseases often associated with obesity such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Taking the lead means setting a good example. If parents are active, their children will follow in their footsteps. Decreasing the amount of time kids spend watching TV, playing video games and being on the computer will also help. Substitute something active to fill the time instead, such as taking a walk around the neighborhood. This is a great time of year to enjoy looking at everyone’s holiday decorations. Indoors, you can enjoy dancing and jumping around. Just be sure you have a specific area of the house where you can do so safely.

Exploracise Gymathtics is another great indoor activity. Just pop in the DVD and keep the kids active for 30 minutes while they also learn math skills. They will have so much fun they won’t even know they are learning!

Exploracise wins TWO more awards

2010-10-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD won 2 more Dr. Toy Awards - Best 100 Products 2010 & 10 Best Active Products 2010.

The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD is the Ultimate Brain and Body Workout, teaching math facts and healthy lifestyle concepts during a complete workout in just under 30 minutes. This is a fun learning exercise experience that kids like to do over again. The routine is a fast-paced, beginner workout that is great for all ages. The math vocabulary targets children who enjoy listening to the new words. The Program is recognized as one of the best kids exercise DVDs providing quality time and helping to get kids fitter and smarter.

Give your kids - and yourself - a great gift and a wonderful active, educational experience that they will want to do again and again. Learn more and order your own copy here. Check out Exploramania on facebook, too, and stay up to date on current events and happenings.

Too much TV and computer time can psychologically damage kids

2010-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, the journal Pediatrics published a study that found the risk of psychological difficulties increased by about 60 percent when kids between 10 and 11 years old spent more than two hours daily watching TV or playing on the computer. These difficulties include how they relate to peers, emotional issues, hyperactivity or conduct challenges.

Previous studies have linked excessive TV viewing with childhood obesity, and both TV and computer use have been associated with psychological problems and an increase in sedentary time, according to background information in the study.

This particular study wanted to see if high physical activity levels could compensate for the adverse effects associated with high TV and computer use.

The risk of psychological difficulties went up even more for children who weren't active during the day, with a 70 percent risk of psychological problems for sedentary children who watched more than two hours of TV, and 81 percent for those who spent more than two hours on the computer.

Surprisingly, being highly physically active didn't offer much protection against psychological difficulties if children already clocked more than two hours of screen time each day. The risk of psychological difficulties was still increased by about 50 percent for the highly active group when they spent more than two hours watching TV or using the computer, according to the study.

While excessive TV and computer use may create problems with a child's emotional well-being, the study wasn't designed to determine a cause-and-effect relationship between screen time and psychological problems, or if troubled youngsters are simply more likely to spend more time with TV and computers.

While parents can limit their kids time on the TV and computer, it can't be avoided altogether. When your kids watch TV or play on the computer, make it quality time. Exploramania offers a 30 minute fun, active, educational Exploracise Gymathtics DVD that will get kids moving, learning and having a great time while they watch TV. Look for educational websites that are also fun yet educational. Make learning fun for the kids so that their media time is time well spent with positive benefits.

Family Lifestyle and Obesity

2010-10-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Family Lifestyle is linked to obesity. A recent study in the American Journal of Sociology showed that adolescents tend to be heavier in families that frequently miss meals or spend several hours a day in front of the TV or playing video games. Weight issues also tend to run in families, not just because of genetics, but primarily because of what the family does together, what they eat and how they organize themselves as a family

It’s important not to skip meals. You will likely end up hungrier later which can result in overeating.

Family meals are also very important. When kids sit down and eat with their family, they tend to have a more normal weight because parents can give structure for the meals, provide a well-balanced meal and set limits around food, such as it’s not a good idea to skip eating vegetables and then have two helpings of dessert.

Watching TV and eating should be done separately. Kids and families who spend more time in front of the TV are more likely to be heavier.

Adopt healthy behaviors you can do as a family – quality time that’s also active – such as going for a walk, playing in the backyard, or spending time at a park playing ball. Exploramania offers you the award-winning Exploracise Gymathtics DVD series, which is a great activity that can be done as a family

Parents are role models and children will adopt their habits and behaviors, so let’s make sure we set a good example that encourages healthy lifestyle choices.

Kids Nutrition and Healthy Eating

2010-09-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

As Childhood Obesity Awareness Month winds down, let's explore healthy eating for kids. When you can start healthy eating habits at a young age, they are likely to continue until adulthood. If you have children whose eating habits are not so great, you can change them to become more healthy.

There are many strategies that can improve nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits in children of all ages. Below are just a few of the top strategies that will help not only the kids in the family, but the adults, too

Family Meals
Children love and thrive on routine. Eating together as a family is a great way for everyone to catch up on the day's activity and connect with each other. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:
•more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains
•less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
•less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol
Family meals also offer the chance to introduce kids to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.

Having Healthy Food Available

As simple as it sounds, just having healthy foods available at home will increase the likelihood that kids will eat them. They will eat whatever is available, so if you have a lot of junk food, they will eat that instead. Make sure your kids eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and make them a part of very meal. Healthy snacks in addition to fruits and vegetables could include cheese, low-fat yougurt and peanut butter. Lean meats and other protein sources such as eggs, nuts and fish, along with whole-grain carbs (breads, crackers, cereals) that have higher amounts of fiber, will round out a healthy diet. Limiting fat, sugar and low-nutrient snacks such as chips and cookies, will help too. Allowing kids a "treat" once in a while is a good idea so they don't feel completely deprived.

Be a Role Model

Kids will follow their parents' lead. When you eat will, your kids will do the same. Send your kids the right message by eating fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods, limiting the junk and eating appropriate portion sizes. A great part of this is that it will help you maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Avoid Battles Over Food

Do not use food as a bargaining tool with your kids or bribe them with it. It's okay to give kids some control over what they eat. When it's snack time, offer several choices. Establish a consistent snack and meal schedule but also allow your kids to decide when they are hungry. If they skip a snack, they will know the next meal is coming at the regular time. Don't force kids to clean their plates and don't use dessert as a reward for finishing a meal. Keep mostly healthy foods at home and remember that treats are okay every once in a while.

Let Kids Help Make Decisions

When planning dinners, ask your kids to help decide what to include in the meals. Make it fun and let them help you in the kitchen, with some of the food preparation or setting and clearing the table. Let them also help decide what goes in their lunch boxes. Give them healthy choices, but allow them to pick exactly what they get to take with them and eat during the day. Getting them involved like this as children will give them good habits that they will be able to continue when they become adults.

Along with exercise and regular activity, your child will be well-balanced and healthy by following these guidelines. Exploramania wants to help you and your kids maintain a healthy lifestyle with its interactive educational experiences. Check out our website for more info and join our Facebook fan page for regular updates, current information and free Exploracise Gymathtics DVD giveaways that will help your kids achieve these goals.

Kids Exercise

2010-09-22T09:59:00.001-07:00

This month we are focusing on overcoming the childhood obesity epidemic. September is the first ever Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. To lose weight, you must eat less and exercise more. It sounds so simple, yet there are many reasons why it is anything but easy to achieve.

In addition to helping a child lose weight and get (or stay) fit, there are many benefits of exercise. Kids who are active will:

•have stronger muscles and bones
•have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
•be less likely to become overweight
•decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
•possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
•have a better outlook on life

In addition to enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better and are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges — from running to catch a bus to studying for a test.

In today's society, kids tend to engage in sedentary activites, such as watching TV, playing video games, and being on the computer, much more so than in previous decades. Parents can help their kids and encourage them to be more active by limiting screen time. It is recommended that children under the age of 2 watch no TV. Children ages 2 and up should not watch more than 1 -2 hours of TV per day, and when the do watch, it should be quality programs or DVDs such as the award-winning Exploracise Gymathtics series by Exploramania, which, by the way, will give them an opportunity to be active WHILE they watch these 30 minute DVDs.

Children should engage in 1 - 2 hours of activity per day, whether it is unstructured play or some kind of planned exercise such as a sport or a PE class at school.

It's not always easy getting your kids to be active, but if you make it part of their daily routine, keep it fun, choose activities that they enjoy, and give them a variety of different activities you will find that it becomes a part of their lifestyle. As parents, be sure to set a good example by being active, too, and combine the exercise for you and your kids, with healthy eating habits, so that your entire family can enjoy a healthy lifesyle.

Childhood Obesity Awareness

2010-09-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

September is the first ever Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood obesity has become such a problem that we now have an entire month devoted to awareness about it. According to the CDC, Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. It is of such importance to our country, that there is a Presidential Proclamation encouraging Americans to take action now. You can read it here.

The CDC explains that obesity is the result of caloric imbalance (too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts:

-Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
-Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
-Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

A healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating and physical activity can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases mentioned above. There is a wealth of information available to help in these areas.

If you have a child who is obese, take steps to help him/her get back to a healthy weight. If your child's weight is acceptable, be proactive by encouraging healthy habits so that obesity does not occur later in life.

As the month continues, we will highlight specific ways you can help your kids maintain or achieve healthy habits. It's not an easy thing to do. There is so much in society today that draws our children away from healthy habits, but fortunately there are many ways you can help. We talk a lot in this blog about Exploramania's award-winning Exploracise Gymathtics DVD. It's a great way to get physical activity that is fun and educational. There is so much else out there that we want to discuss with you. So stay tuned and be assured that Exploramania is concerned and wants to help.

Back to School

2010-08-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! The lazy days of summer are gone. Waking up to an alarm clock, school, homework and extracurricular activities are back. While we often enjoy getting back to a routine, we tend to tire ourselves, and our children, out with hectic schedules.

As you prepare to deal with this transition, what goals do you have for your kids? How do you plan to maintain an adequate balance so that they are learning in school as well as getting good nutrition (even when on the go) and are leading active lives.

There is a lot that can be done to help make the transition a smooth one. Establishing a routine is very helpful. Have a set bedtime each night and make sure your kids get adequate sleep. After school, make sure each child has a dedicated space to do their homework. For younger children, the kitchen or nearby is a great place because you can be there to assist. For children who are too young for homework, make sure you plan an activity such as coloring a picture or playing with a sticker book, to keep them busy while you help older children and prepare dinner.

Along with getting enough sleep, make sure your kids are getting good, nutritious meals. They do not have to be elaborate or require a lot of preparation time, but feeding them well will help them stay sharp for school, homework and activities. If your kids bring their lunch to school, give some thought about what healthy lunches and snacks you can pack for them. Talk to other parents for their ideas.

Additionally, to stay sharp in school, activity is essential to your child's day. They get recess and PE at school, but are you making sure they are staying active when not in school? Sports and outdoor playtime are great ways to achieve this. If other activites don't allow much time, you could go on a walk as a family after dinner. Exploracise Gymathtics is another great alternative, and something the kids can do while you are busy around the house getting dinner ready or doing other things. It's an award-winning program endorsed by moms and teachers, and loved by kids throughout the country, which will keep your kids learning math skills while they stay active. They'll have so much fun they won't even know that they are learning. To learn more or order your own DVD, visit our website.

A New Award for Exploracise Gymathtics!

2010-08-14T10:59:00.001-07:00

We are excited to announce that Exploramania's DVD, Exploracise Gymathtics, has won a new award!! It's the Creative Child Magazine DVD of the Year 2010 and we are thrilled to provide you with a wonderful DVD that is fun and educational and will keep your kids active.

This new award is the tenth one awarded to Exploracise Gymathtics and joins a long list of prestigious awards.

Exploracise Gymathtics is an interactive educational program that is revolutionizing education by integrating technology, learning and fitness for an optimal teaching environment while getting healthful exercise.

Multi-sensory learning enhances the retention and recall of concepts and the Exploracise programs use the TV to synergize visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning techniques.

Scientific research shows exercise releases neural growth factors in the brain developing connections and improving memory. Everyone can GET FIT! GET SMART! HAVE FUN!

Visit out website to get your own DVD for round-the-clock fun.

Getting Fit Is A Lifestyle Choice - Part 6

2010-07-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Make It A Team Effort - People, kids included, are more likely to stick with exercise and activity if it involves a social component. Team sports and group activities, such as a gymnastics class or karate, are great examples of ways to keep your kids fit and give them opportunities to meet other kids and socialize with them. When you know others depend on you, and vice-versa, you are much more likely to stick with an activity. When your child commits to playing baseball for a season, the team depends on him, you and he know that is a regular activity that will take place at a certain time each week, and will show up except for unfoseen emergencies such as illness. Even getting together with the neighborhood kids to ride bikes is an easy way to be sociable and active.

The award-winning Exploracise Gymathtics Series, in conjunction with our other great products, by Exploramania is a great activity to do in a group setting. The whole family can participate or the kids can do it as part of a play date. Make it fun and sociable and they will do it and stick with it.

Getting Fit Is A Lifestyle Choice - Part 5

2010-07-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

Set Goals. Goals work because when you have a goal and know where you want to go and why you want to get there, you are motivated to do what you need to do and you can measure your success.

To lead a more active life, help your kids set goals, particularly short-term goals, that will ultimately lead to a lifestyle that is more active. Some examples of short-term goals for a child are:

Lose 3 pounds in one month

Join a soccer team and actively participate in all training and games for the season

30 minutes of outdoor activity every day

Take 2 Taekwondo classes a week and earn a new belt color within a month

Exploramania wants to help you and your children achieve your goals and offers a variety of products that can help you get there and make lifelong learning a part of the process too. Check out what we have to offer, including our award-winning Exploracise/Gymathtics DVD series, the Exploracise Mat Collection, and the Exploracise Thumball Collection.

Getting Fit Is A Lifestyle Choice - Part 4

2010-06-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Give it a purpose. Research has found that people are more likely to stick to an exercise routine that has an immediate practical purpose. For example, walking a treadmill does not have any immediate practical purpose, but walking your dog does. Riding a stationary bike has no purpose, but riding a bike to and from the grocery store does.

This principle applies to kids as much as it does to adults. If you have a child who can safely bike to school, that would be a practical purpose. Or you could put your child in charge of taking the family dog for walks. Martial arts classes, such as taekwondo or karate are great ways to learn self-defense, discipline and confidence. Team sports such as soccer or baseball also help kids learn life skills such as teamwork and positive self-esteem in addition to being a great way to make friends and spend time with them.

Gymathtics is a great way for kids to learn math skills while being active. In just 30 minutes, they will have a fun workout with a practical purpose. Now that the summer months are here, Gymathtics, which has won numerous awards, including Dr. Toy's 10 Best Active Products, is a great way to keep your kids' minds sharp while they are out of school. Check out our website to learn more and purchase the DVD series.

Getting Fit Is A Lifestyle Choice - Part 3

2010-06-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

Use the Pleasure Principle. To help your kids make regular activity something that will last a lifetime, help them find something that doesn't wear them out too much. While it's certainly good for kids to exert themselves, over-exertion will likely lead to burn out and lack of tolerance.

Some sports and activities may be too high-intensity for certain kids. Be sure to talk to your kids about how they feel after the activity and make sure they feel good and revitalized after doing it.

Exploramania can help make sure this happens. Gymathtics is not intense exercise. It is movement and fun activity, combined with learning basic principles of math. It can be done indoors, so there is not need to deal with weather issues that can wear you out, such as heat. It doesn't take long - just 30 minutes - and your kids are sure to enjoy it so much they will want to do it again and again. Go ahead and try Gymathtics today. If you want to learn more about this award-winning program or to order your copy, check out our website.

Getting Fit Is A Lifestyle Choice - Part 2

2010-06-13T15:12:00.001-07:00

Once you've helped your children find the right activity, the next step is making sure they have time to do it every day. Kids tend to have a lot on their plates. School can be very challenging, requiring a good deal of homework time. Kids, especially older ones, often have chores at home. When all is said and done, there is not a lot of time left for activity.

The best way to get activity into your child's day is to help him or her plan something specific and to plan it at least 24 hours in advance. Keep in mind that as your kids get older and become adults, life doesn't get any less busy. If anything, they will feel more pressed for time. If you help them get into the habit of daily activity at a young age, they will carry this habit with them into adulthood.

Here are some tips to help make sure your child gets a daily dose of activity

Reduce the amount of time spent watching TV

Go to bed earlier and do something active before school, first thing in the morning

Choose an activity that can be done any time, anywhere, such as Gymathtics by Exploramania

Make it something that can easily be done at home. Again, Gymathtics is a great choice!

Choose an organized sport that meets regularly for practice and games/competition, such as soccer, baseball or cheerleading

Combine activity with family fun outings such as swimming at the beach or playing frisbee at the park

Even when you are pressed for time, remember that Gymathtics is a great solution. It can be done at home, it doesn't matter what the weather is, it takes just 30 minutes and your kids will learn and have fun at the same time.

Getting Fit Is A Lifestyle Choice - Part 1

2010-05-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

According to Matt Fitzgerald, a journalist and author specializing in the topics of health, fitness, nutrition and endurance sports training, about 50% of people who start a new exercise program abandon it within three to six months. He says that we have an evolutionary trait that makes us want to avoid unnecessary exertion. Simply put, people are lazy! And to create an exercise habit that will last, you need to overcome this instinctive trait. When it comes to our kids, it's great if we can help instill this habit at a young age, so that it becomes part of their life and something they will carry into adulthood.

Fitzgerald discusses six effective tricks to help us in this process. One is finding the right fit. Over the next few weeks, we'll talk about how this and the other five tricks relate to our kids.

In terms of finding the right fit, it's simply a matter of finding something you enjoy. With your children, help them explore different ways to become fit and find an activity (or activities) they will enjoy enough to stick with. Last month, we highlighted the importance of focusing on activity as opposed to exercise. This is important to keep in mind as you help your child find what's right for them. Children also enjoy variety. Just because they have loved soccer for the past 4 years doesn't mean you can't introduce them to something new. The point here is not to push them to do something they don't like. If your child tries something and doesn't like it then move on to something else. Gymathtics is an easy solution to finding something fun for your kids. Whether they do it once a week or every day, they will have fun, get fit, and learn a lot a the same time.

When you help your kids find something they like to do, it will naturally become a habit. Once a child finds the right thing for them, they can't get enough of it. So when you put that Gymathtics DVD in your DVD player, just leave it in. They'll want to watch and do it again and again and again. And to make Gymathtics even more fun, be sure to check out all the other great products from Exploramania, too.

Stay tuned for our next blog where we'll talk about more ways to make getting fit a lifestyle choice for your kids.

Get Active For The Summer

2010-05-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

It may be hard to believe, but the school year is almost over and summer is practically here! The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD has received many awards, including the Dr. Toy Vacation Products Award which was awarded last June. In Florida, as in other parts of the country, it can be too hot or rainy to do outdoor activities and safe indoor alternatives are important.

In addition to being active like the Wii or other exercise videos for kids, Gymathtics incorporates educational concepts to keep their minds active too. During the summer months while kids are on break, Gymathtics exercises kids minds and bodies with learning math facts and healthy lifestyle concepts during a 30-minute workout.

The combination of exercise with multisensory learning actually helps children learn the information more completely increasing retention and understanding of concepts. The best part about the program is that kids are having so much fun doing the exercise routine that they don't even realize they are learning.

The Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics DVD and other exer-gaming products are a great way for busy parents to keep kids active while at home over the summer. Visit Exploramania.com to learn more about the product and see a short video clip.

Active Learning - it's fun and it works!

2010-05-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

At Exploramania, our vision is to bring learning to life through interactive educational experiences. Scientific research shows that both multi-sensory learning, in addition to exercise, partnered with learning, have been proven to produce significantly higher recognition and recall. Through the award-winning Exploracise® DVD series and other creative products, we seek to enrich the minds and bodies of children everywhere.

The power of our products' educational experience lies in the way it uses 2 separate methods to strengthen the connections in the brain made during learning.

The first method, learning with multiple senses, takes advantage of the synergy that occurs when learning occurs using more than one sense. In our educational DVDs, the participant hears the educational information from the TV, views that information on the TV, and using exercise and muscle posing, kinesthetically acts out the educational concept being described.

Scientific studies of the brain have demonstrated the application of these concepts. When multiple senses are used to learn information, that information is learned significantly better and with better memory recall than when information is learned with only one sense.

This allows information to be learned in a more efficient (requiring less time) and more comprehensive (better understood and retained) manner.

The second method, neural growth factors, takes advantage of the powerful growth factors for learning and memory created in the brain during exercise. These growth factors, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and IGF-1 (insulin growth factor 1) with others lead to the actual growth of new nerve cells and significant improvement in the connections between existing nerve cells in the brain

The end result of these "new and improved" nerve cells is faster and better learning.

The combination of multi-sense learning with neural growth factors produced during exercise allows the viewer of our educational program to learn the knowledge being presented faster and more completely than any other method in existence today.

Exploracises Gymathtics DVD Series uses the best techniques of the 21st century to teach and help the viewers of our program learn math concepts better and more comprehensively while getting quality healthful exercise. Get your copy today by visiting our website or amazon and start introducing your kids to a fun new way to learn!!

May is Physical Fitness Awareness Month

2010-04-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

May has been observed as National Physical Fitness and Sports Awareness Month since 1983. Led by The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, many organizations and individuals have developed programs or events to promote the importance of physical activity to create a healthy lifestyle leading to a happier and more productive life.

Many states, towns and neighborhoods will be participating in events to increase awareness of physical fitness and sports. Check your local paper to see what activities maybe be happening in your town and get involved. You can do more right in your home through several family fun activities. Exploramania launched our first product focused on getting kids healthy with a 30 minute workout that also teaches math facts and healthy lifestyle concepts.

The Exploracise series will continue to bring interactive educational exercise products to families to Get Fit! Get Smart! Have Fun! Learn more about the Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics program at www.exploramania.com. Celebrate National Physical Fitness Awareness Month by bringing Gymathtics into your home and having family fun together!

Earth Day and Math

2010-04-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Earth Day 2010 is on April 22 and it also happens to fall during Math Awareness Month. So, how can you have fun with math on Earth Day? At Exploramania, we like to teach people that math is everywhere in your daily activities.

How are you celebrating Earth Day? If you are planting trees, collecting trash, or measuring the temperature, math can be incorporated into all of these activities and more. When planting trees or flowers, you can count the seeds, measure how deep the hole is that you dig to plant a tree, measure the amount of water that you pour on the plant, etc.

When collecting trash you can count the total number of trash bags collected, the weight of all the trash collected, and how much trash would be collected if 1000 more people across the country collected the same amount of trash.

When collecting newspapers for recycling, you can measure how many inches of paper was collected. How many pages of paper are in an inch then estimate in a foot or a mile?

Now back to climate change, you can measure what the temperature is in the morning on Earth Day where you live and what the high is. What was the change in temperature for that day in Fahrenheit? In Celsius? Chart the high and lows for a week and get the average high and low for your location for a week startign on Earth Day. Compare to other cities around the country. Maybe family or friends in other cities can track the same measurements and you can compare which are greater or lower. Or check out the high and low temps in other cities online.

There are so many fun ways to incorporate Math into your Earth Day activities including using the award-winning and super-fun Gymathtics DVD.

Activity vs. Exercise

2010-04-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last week, when we discussed healthy habits, activity was a big one. Did you notice that the focus of that blog entry was on ACTIVITY, not on EXERCISE? When you hear that word “exercise” what do you think of? Going to the gym, logging miles on the treadmill, doing a certain amount of time on the elliptical or lifting weights? It’s exhausting just to think about. When you think of exercise and your kids, does it make you think of something that’s a chore, something that you’ll have to force them to do?

How about “activity?” Does that conjure up images of a walk together as a family, playing in the pool, a Saturday afternoon softball game, riding bikes to the park or maybe even spending the day at your favorite theme park? Find new activities to do as a family. Try rafting or hiking a nearby trail.

Pick an activity, whatever it is, and you’ll get your kids to exercise, but they won’t even know it. They’ll have fun and so will you. At Exploramania, we believe in active learning, so while you’re doing the activities you’ve chosen, think of ways to make it a learning experience. You could look for shapes in nature while on your walk or count the number of people you see wearing red shirts at the theme park. We encourage you to make Gymathtics a regular part of your family's active routine. Whatever you choose to do, make it something you enjoy and make it interactive, and you’ll find that exercise IS fun.

Teach Your Kids Healthy Habits By Example

2010-04-09T02:06:00.000-07:00

When your kids see YOU being active and having fun, they are more likely to be active themselves. And when those healthy behaviors start at a young age, there is a good chance they will continue as a lifelong habit. On the flip side, an inactive childhood will result in an inactive adult life. Additionally, parents should control and limit the amount of time their kids spend in front of the TV, playing video games and being on the computer. A great activity that involves the TV is Exploramania's award-winning Gymathtics DVD. Parents can join their kids in this fun, interactive way to incorporate fitness, learning and fun!! Exploracise Mats are also a great way to add cushion and creativity ttansforming the floor into an active learning space.

There are many ways, in addition to Gymathtics, to incorporate activity into your everyday lives. Find those activities that your family enjoys doing together. It can be as simple as going for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner or putting on some fun music and dancing together. On the weekends, you can go to the park, swim together or go for a family bike ride. If you have younger children, there are many indoor play areas where you can sign up for classes or go for open play. These places are especially great when it’s too hot or too cold to be outside with the little ones.

We also know that our eating habits affect our kids. The best way to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight-related health problems is to make healthy choices at the supermarket and include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Limit processed junk food sugary drinks. If they aren’t in the house, you and your kids will learn to live without them or consider them special treats every once in a while. It’s amazing how quickly a person adapts to a healthier diet when they have the right choices in front of them and temptations are limited. Young children tend to eat only when they are hungry. If we give them too many unhealthy options, not only are they likely to gain weight, but choosing junk food over healthier alternatives will become a habit that over time will be more and more difficult to break. For children this could result in a lifelong battle with obesity and other health problems.

Regular activity and healthy eating go hand in hand. Parents set the example that their kids will follow and it’s never too soon or too late to start. If you find all of this overwhelming, start by making small changes one at a time. If you are already doing well for yourself and your family in terms of activity and healthy eating, kudos to you! Keep it up. Please share your successes and struggles with us in the comments below. We can all learn from each other.

APRIL IS MATH AWARENESS MONTH

2010-03-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, April is Math Awareness Month! How are you celebrating? Exploramania Founder Carrie Scheiner always gets interesting reactions when she tells people that she has a degree in Math with a minor in secondary education and her Masters in Statistics. Once in a while, the reaction is positive "I always liked math." or "I did well in statistics."

However, most reactions are cringes and flashbacks to math classes in school where they were not the "best" in math. So many people out there have math anxiety. But math is in EVERYTHING that you do and you probably do not even realize it. Just to list a few - driving (miles per hour, miles per gallon), eating (calories, % fat), shopping (prices, discounts), even putting on make up relates to symmetry.

Do something FUN to celebrate! Of course, we suggest you do the award-winning Exploracise program with your kids for fun family time and learning math. It’s so much fun that the kids won’t suffer from math anxiety. Check out Exploramania's other math-friendly products on our website. Make math fun for your kids and it will ignite a lifelong passion rather than make them cringe when they back to math class.

Happy counting!

It's National Nutrition Month!

2010-03-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

March is National Nutrition Month. We all want our families to have healthy eating habits, but it’s not always easy to achieve. Just go to the grocery store and look at all the unhealthy foods that tempt you as you wander down the aisles. We are surrounded by poor food choices in attractive packages, sometimes with labels that try to mislead us to believe they are actually healthy. And while it’s ok to have a treat every once in a while, and to have the “unhealthy” treats in moderation, it can be difficult not to go overboard with all that is available. Food can be your child’s friend or foe. Everyone needs to eat, but eating the wrong things and consuming too much can be a recipe for disaster, leading to a multitude of health problems. When parents establish unhealthy eating patterns with their children, it is often difficult to break these habits as the child grows up.

First Lady Michelle Obama is doing her part to help our nation get healthier. Last week she talked to food manufacturers and urged them to speed up their efforts to make healthier foods and reduce marketing unhealthy foods to children. Specifically she requested less salt, fat and sugar in foods. She also said that she wants less confusing food labels. If a product has a reduced fat content, it doesn’t necessarily make it healthier if that fat is replaced with increased sugar and salt. Instead of creatively marketing products to appear healthy, she wants more healthy nutrients and fewer bad ingredients in the foods. She is focusing on school lunches and vending machines, and she also wants to make healthy foods more available along with encouraging children to exercise more. These efforts will help reduce childhood obesity and make America’s kids healthier.

At Exploramania, we also encourage healthy eating along with education and fitness. The Gymathtics DVD Collection is a great way to get your kids active. It’s simple, it’s fun and it can be done at any time of the day. If you don’t already have the DVDs, check them out on our website and learn how it can help your family add some fun into your daily routine while getting smarter and fitter.

Award Winning Kids Exercise DVD Combats Childhood Obesity & Math Anxiety

2010-03-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

Exploramania is a new Advocate of the President’s Challenge

Children can meet their President’s Challenge fitness goals with the Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics program from Exploramania. Exploramania just joined the prestigious list of advocates of the National program that will be a major factor in the new Let’s Move campaign launched by Michelle Obama. Kids not only exercise their muscles but they also stretch those minds to learn while they “burn” calories. The Exploracise Gymathtics 30-minute DVD is aerobics, strengthening, and stretching in the form of math lessons -- a mind-challenging twist! Exploramania is creating innovative solutions to curb the childhood obesity epidemic and educational challenges affecting American children today.

"As a psychologist specializing in child development, I really love this DVD. It is great as an activity, and helps teach them math skills.” Mom’s Best Award

This revolutionary concept has earned the Exploracise® Gymathtics program prestigious honors and top awards in the toy and education industries including Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Active Products, Creative Child Magazine DVD of the Year for kids exercise and movement, Learning Magazine 2010 Teachers Choice Award for the Family, and many more. To many people this is a concept whose time has come especially as America recognizes the growing danger of child obesity to our health system and economy. Such concerns has led First Lady Michelle Obama to launch an initiative to combat childhood obesity in the United States that will incorporate many of the themes that Exploramania teaches in their DVD series. The First Lady in her initiative is citing the need for children early in their life to begin healthy exercise, learn how to eat healthy, and remain committed to personal advancement through education, all of which are the hallmarks of Exploracise® Gymathtics. In addition, the award winning DVD combines exercise and education using auditory, visual, and kinesthetic techniques increasing the retention and recall of the math concepts.

“We are very honored that Exploramania is an advocate of the President’s Challenge promoting fitness and physical activity through active education,” said Carrie Scheiner, President of Exploramania and Creator of Exploracise® Gymathtics. “Childhood obesity is at an all time high with our children not exercising or eating properly. I developed this fun and educational DVD to teach children at an early age how to live a healthy lifestyle and to develop a love of learning math.”

Additional information on Exploramania may be obtained at http://www.exploramania.com.

Happy Anniversary Exploramania

2010-02-18T07:59:00.001-08:00

Happy Anniversary Exploramania! What a wonderful year it has been. This week celebrates the one year anniversary of Exploramania’s product debut at the International Toy Fair. As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past year, we are thrilled at all we have accomplished in our pursuit to bring learning to life through interactive educational experiences.

Three amazing products have been launched. The Gymathtics DVD is a 30 minute exercise program that integrates math concepts for children. You can get smart while getting fit and having fun. And with kids today spending so much time with various forms of media, Gymathtics allows them to watch TV while making it an educational experience. With snow storms and below normal temperatures across the United States this winter, Gymathtics is a great way to keep your kids active without having to brave the outdoors. A new DVD will be released later this year. If you have enjoyed the first Gymathtics DVD, you will love adding this new one to your collection.

The Exploracise Math Mat is a super-cushiony mat that you can use for any exercise where you are on the floor, including yoga, pilates, and of course while doing Gymathtics. In addition to providing comfort to your workout, the mats reinforce the math concepts in Gymathtics.

The Exploracise Thumball collection includes 3 great balls that kids love to play with. They introduce math concepts including Multiplication, Geometry and Geometry 3-D.

Over the past year, Gymathtics has proudly been awarded many prestigious awards. Amongst them, just to name a few, are the Teachers’ Choice Award, Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Active Products, and Creative Child Magazine’s DVD of the year.

Exploramania is also excited to partner with WOW, the sensational boy band that is sweeping the nation and the world. Through this partnership, Exploramania brings educational and healthy lifestyle products with positive values to kids. Their Words of Wisdom, which we have shared through our Facebook Fan Page and Twitter account, have been an inspiration.

With childhood obesity at an all-time high, and in the spotlight with the introduction of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign, Exploramania is proud to have products that help address the need to get kids moving while giving them a fun way to learn math concepts at the same time. We plan to continue to highlight aspects of this campaign throughout the year to come and do our part in motivating kids to exercise and lead healthy lifestyles.

Over the past few months, our Facebook Fan Page and Twitter account have highlighted articles to give moms, dads and others who take care of children some great ideas in the areas of education, math, fitness and healthy eating. If you are not yet a fan, we welcome you to join and look forward to your feedback.

We want to thank all of you, our fans and supporters, for helping make this first year such a great one. We hope you are as excited as we are to continue on this journey as we introduce new products and ideas to help you and your children achieve and maintain a healthy and educational life.

Exploramania Adds Three More Awards to its Collection

2010-02-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

DVD Exemplifies First Lady Michelle Obama’s Initiative to Combat Childhood Obesity with her “Let’s Move” Program

Tampa, FL/February 9, 2010 – Exploramania® has won Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Active Products Award 2009, Creative Child Magazine DVD of the Year for Kids Movement & Exercise, and the Learning Magazine 2010 Teacher’s Choice Award for the Family for its fun and educational, Exploracise® Gymathtics® DVD. The DVD teaches math and healthy lifestyle concepts during a 30-minute workout. The concept of the DVD was developed by Tampa mother, Carrie Scheiner and made its national debut at Toy Fair 2009 in New York City. Since its debut, Exploracise® Gymathtics® has gained a national following and earned numerous awards for its fun and educational concept. With renewed emphasis on fighting the epidemic of childhood obesity, the lessons of Exploracise® Gymathtics® is more timely now then ever before.

“We are very honored that Exploracise® Gymathtics® continues to be recognized for its cutting edge approach exercising the minds and bodies of children,” said Carrie Scheiner, President of Exploramania® and Creator of the Exploracise® Gymathtics®. “Childhood obesity is at an all time high with our children not exercising or eating properly. I developed this fun and educational DVD to teach children at an early age how to live a healthy lifestyle and to develop a love of learning math.” As studies show, if we can teach children early how to live a healthy lifestyle including exercise and healthy eating that these lessons will last a lifetime. The Exploracise® Gymathtics® DVD combines exercise with learning math focusing on two critical national initiatives for children in America today.

This revolutionary concept has earned Exploracise® Gymathtics® recognition and honors from the top awards in toys and education. To many people this is a concept whose time has come especially as America recognizes the growing danger of child obesity to our health system and economy. Such concerns has led First Lady Michelle Obama to launch an initiative to combat childhood obesity in the United States that will incorporate many of the themes that Exploramania® teaches in their DVD series. The First Lady in her “Lets Move” program is citing the need for children early in their life to begin healthy exercise, learn how to eat healthy, and remain committed to personal advancement through education, all of which are the hallmarks of Exploracise® Gymathtics®. The award winning DVD combines exercise and education using auditory, visual, and kinesthetic techniques increasing the retention and recall of the math concepts.

Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Active Products 2009 Award is awarded annually and is considered one of the most prestigious awards for children’s products and is recognized internationally. Exploracise® Gymathtics® was cited in its award certification as being a revolutionary concept that is ideal for children of all ages.

The Creative Child Magazine DVD of the Year for Kids Movement & Exercise Award is an annual award of Creative Child Magazine, one of the nation’s leading publications for parents on how to develop their child’s creativity. The magazine in making its award cited Exploracise® Gymathtics® for revolutionizing education by integrating technology, learning and fitness for an optimal teaching environment while getting healthful exercise.

The Learning Magazine’s Teacher’s Choice 2010 Award for the Family is universally recognized as one of the most prestigious awards for children and parenting products. It is the only awards program that requires evaluators to be both a teacher and a parent.

Additional information on Exploramania® may be obtained at http://www. exploramania.com.

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Is Your New Year Off to a Healthy Start?

2010-01-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

You can live a healthy lifestyle by staying active and eating healthy. That sounds so easy yet is often a big challenge. In fact, I am sure many of us have New Year’s resolutions to do just that and by now are finding just how difficult it can be. Gymathtics is an award-winning DVD that can help children stay active while providing an enriching educational experience. I especially love it because it incorporates watching a DVD on TV with exercise and education. And when faced with cold winter temperatures, it’s a great way to keep your mind and body sharp while staying warm.

Often, eating healthy is a bigger challenge than physical activity. Kids love to play outside, running around with friends or riding on their bikes, scooters, skateboards or whatever the latest cool thing to do is. They also tend to enjoy sports, whether it’s an organized team sport such as soccer or t-ball, or just shooting hoops in the driveway. We often learn just how much our kids need to move on a day when they’ve cooped up for too long and start, sometimes literally, bouncing off the walls.

There is a short video clip that claims getting kids to eat healthy foods is easier if it’s a family effort. So we can use our children as an excuse to get ourselves healthy. Dr. Robert Needlman, a pediatrician and co-author of Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care book, offers some tips to help your kids make good healthy choices when it comes to snacking and meals.

The key to successfully modifying eating habits is to build in changes one step at a time. Kids know what foods are healthy, so it’s not a matter of educating them that an apple is a better choice than a brownie. By following these steps, a child can eventually get to a healthier weight.

A key component of Needlman’s program is to plan out meals and snacks in advance and reduce temptations. Planning and preparing ahead will actually make it much more likely that your child will eat a healthy lunch. If the food is cut up, in a bag and ready to go at meal-time, all you have to do is take it out of the refrigerator and give it to your child. Getting them to eat it may be a bigger challenge, so it’s important to get the kids involved and find out which healthy snacks they prefer. Availability also plays a big role in what people eat. If the pantry is stocked with cookies and chips, that apple or banana is going to look pretty unattractive.

Needlman encourages us to make those cookies and chips a treat, not an everyday snack. When you do this, fruit and other healthy snacks become attractive and actually taste better. There are scientific studies demonstrating that taste perception adjusts itself to what’s available. If you eat the cookies and chips all the time, the apples do not taste so good.

Have you successfully incorporated any of these tips in your household? Is there anything else you do to encourage your children to eat healthy that works well?

Kids Exercise and Math Video Wins Prestigious Education Award

2009-12-17T17:40:00.000-08:00

The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD teaches math and healthy lifestyle concepts during a 30-minute workout and just won its NINTH prestigious industry award in eleven months. What does this DVD have that parents, kids, physicians, and teachers all love? Gymathtics gets kids off the couch or out of their chairs for 30 minutes AND they learn Math at the same time.

The new educational exercise DVD has received nine coveted awards including the most recent Learning Magazine 2010 Teacher’s Choice Award for the Family, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children’s Product, Dr. Toy 10 Best Active Product, Creative Child Magazine DVD of the Year, National Association for Gifted Children Recommended List, Mom’s Best Award, Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product, Telly Award, and Aegis Award. In the Creative Child Magazine Winter issue, Exploracise Gymathtics was featured as DVD of the Year.

Learning Magazine’s Teachers’ Choice Awards program is one of the most recognized and prestigious awards in the educational market. Teachers’ Choice for the Family is the only awards program that requires evaluators to be both a teacher and a parent. Teachers evaluate the products on educational value, originality and creativity, ease of use, safety and durability, and high-interest level and motivation for children.

“We are honored to be recognized by the most prestigious awards program in the education market. As a parent and educator, I am passionate about developing kids programming that provides beneficial screen time so children learn and exercise while watching the television. Exploramania is especially concerned about the current state of our children in this country. So many children could benefit from the Gymathtics program for both exercising their minds and bodies to get healthy and learn math, “ states Carrie Scheiner, Founder of Exploramania.

The statistics are staggering – 33% of children are overweight or obese and only 39% of 4^th graders are proficient in math. Exploramania is creating interactive educational experiences to help children develop a love of learning and healthy lifestyle. The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD was created as another tool to help families, educators, and professionals combat the obesity epidemic and math challenges that affect so many children in America today. The program uses multi-sensory techniques to teach math which is proven to increase the retention and recall of concepts.

To view the Gymathtics routine go to http://www.exploramania.com where there is a short video clip.

TOS Homeschool Crew Reviews

2009-12-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

Exploramania got on board with the Homeschool Crew from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and had almost 100 reviews from Homeschool families around the country. Each family received a Gymathtics DVD to try with their children and see if it worked well before, after, or during the school day.

It was very interesting to see so many different comments. Most were very positive and some were even surprised how much their children enjoyed using the program. A few families determined that it may not be a fit for them but acknowledged that it may work for others. There were children even age 13 using the program and as young as age 3. A few moms even joined in and most families think it is great for day when outdoor play is not possible due to the weather.

"What fun my kids had watching and exercising to the Gymathtics DVD I received as a review resource for The Old Schoolhouse review crew. I opened the package, popped it in the DVD player and asked the kids if they wanted to watch? Before I knew it they were both up kicking, jumping, squatting, bending and more. They were moving their bodies and learning math skills at the same time! They didn't even know they were learning. Exploracise says that "Gymathtics is an Interactive Math and Exercise Experience." I totally agree!"

Gymathtics received high marks as a fun kids exercise video getting kids moving and learning math at the same time. Our favorite review was one where the mother actually taped her daughter following the routine and put it on YouTube. The girl was definitely Getting Fit, Getting Smart and Having Fun! Visit www.exploramania.com to see a short video clip of Gymathtics.

Math Scores Failing for 4th Grade - Gymathtics to the Rescue

2009-10-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

Only 43% of fourth graders identified parallel and perpendicular lines according to the 2009 Mathematics Report Card. The Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics DVD covers this concept within the first few minutes of the program during the Shape Stretches Warm Up where the parallel line stretch helps kids learn the concept through kinesthetic, visual, and auditory techniques. Perpendicular lines and intersecting lines are also taught through visual and auditory cues.

The 2009 Mathematics Report Card published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that only 39% of 4th graders are proficient or higher in math. Last I checked, a 39% is an F. The scores actually stayed the same for 4th grade from the 2007 scores and slightly improved for the 8th grade scores. A total of seven states and the District of Columbia increased their scores for 4th graders from 2007 to 2009 but four states had scores that decreased. All other states showed no significant change. How is your state or school reacting to this information?

"As a parent and very passionate educator, I was shocked. We created the Gymathtics DVD to help children learn and enjoy math while getting a healthful 30-minute workout. I did not realize how dire the challenges in math really are for kids today," states Carrie Scheiner, Exploramania Founder. Exploramania is creating interactive educational products to help children develop a love of learning and healthy lifestyle.

The Award Winning Gymathtics DVD is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, exploramania.com and select retailers. Visit www.exploramania.com to see a video preview.

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Dr. Toy Announces 100 Best Children’s Products of 2009

2009-10-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

Your Guide to Finding the Best Toys and Children’s Products…
An Opportunity to be of Service to Families and Schools

By Stevanne Auerbach, PhD/Dr. Toy™

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – (October 12, 2009) - As a natural, on–going part of our work as parents, teachers, early childhood specialists, and others involved with children at home or elsewhere, we observe children at play. With our own eyes we see what works…and what doesn’t hold up under tough testing – the normal barrage of active, inquisitive, and resourceful babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children. This guide is offered to complement your observations and to help you in selecting the right products to enhance play and learning.

We make buying decisions based on lasting play value and product applicability to children’s active, creative, and educational experiences. We can depend on the durability and versatility of such items as blocks, construction toys, games, puppets, and transportation toys. They stimulate the imagination, engage the player, have value, and hold up over time. We want to apply these standards to all the choices we make. We often hear consumers describe their experience of making a purchase, but shortly after giving little Sally or Sammy the product it falls apart – a frustrating and expensive process. Products that do not meet safety standards can be dangerous and can cause harm to children. We want to avoid these problems and always strive for excellence. I spend a great deal of time reviewing a large quantity of products created by myriad manufacturers and designers. I make sure my selections match the criteria for excellence.

Certainly age grading, name recognition, company dependability, versatility of design, and place of purchase are factors to obtain the right product. Another aspect you can depend on is a warranty. Rising costs for products require us to be wise consumers and to get extra lasting value. Certainly durable products, properly designed, and developmentally correct are worth the money. Children’s positive reactions are worth the extra effort. I utilize a complicated set of objective and subjective criteria to evaluate toys and other products. Some questions to ask are:

· Is this product worth the price?
· Does it have lasting play value?
· Is it appropriate?
· Is it fun?
· Does it meet safety standards?

Dr. Toy is pleased to have the opportunity to share her years of play and toy experiences with consumers to assist them in the selection process. This timely report features information about l00 wonderful new toys and other products from large and small companies. The toys and products selected meet my high standards for design, durability, price, quality, safety, and value.

Dr. Toy reminds parents and teachers, “Let’s not forget that “play is children’s work” and should be respected and understood by all adults. We should be thinking: “What products or “tools for play” can we obtain to provide wholesome experiences for children and provide plenty of positive play interactions.”

Dr Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q . (Play Quotient) was written for new parents, and others who care about children, and is available in toy, book stores or on line. Dr Toy invites consumers to take the time to describe play and product experiences and ask questions about toys and products.

Following are examples of award-winning toys and products and the companies that make them grouped in categories of “smart” play.

Active Play – Carrera (Disney), Exploramania (Exploracise Gymathitics), Gamewright (Ring–O–Flamingo), KaZAM (Bikes), Kimbo (Smart Fitness Workout DVD), Leaping Legs (Up Down & All Around), MEGA Brands (Play N’ Go Table), Note to Health (Get Me Goin’), Play This Way (U–Play Mat), Sprig Toys (Dino Adventure Rig Playset).

Construction Play – K’NEX (Sesame St. Brownstone Bldg Set), UberStix/Patch (ÜberStix PirateShip), Learning Materials Workshop (Torno Torno), Citiblocs (Wooden Blocks).

Creativity & Art – ALEX (My Art Case), Creativity for Kids (FingerPrints Finger Painting Set), Delta No. America (Bubber Bucket), Educational Insights (Foamfetti), Fun & Function (My Favorite Travel Kit), MagnaPlay (MagnaKase Activity Case), Pipperoos (Sea Play Creative Drama Kit), Schoenhut Piano (Piano Pals), Toysmith (Butterfly Kaleidoscope), UberStix/Patch (ÜberStix PirateShip).

Creativity & Music – First Wave (Come Dance), Kids at Our House (and a Happy New Year), Master Communications (Animal Stories), Music Together (Music Together® Lullabies), New Hope Records (America), Rock ‘N Learn (Addition & Subtraction Rap), Sandman Records (Meltdown), Sprout Recordings (American Heroes), Swinxs (Swinxs).

Technology – Swinxs (Swinxs), Sabi (ItzaBitza Computer Game), Knowledge Adventure (JumpStart Pet Rescue for Wii), Learning Resources (Funny Phone), Goldberger Co. (Comfort Kids™ Belly Brites), Comfy® (Easy PC), Funrise Toys (Tonka Strong Arm), Drumwell (GeoSafari World), Chicco (Talking Vacation Car).

Language/Learning/Math & Reading Readiness – Math Tutor (Young Minds–Numbers & Counting), Rock ‘N Learn (Addition & Subtraction Rap), DreamBox Learning (DreamBox Learning K–2 Math), aha!Chinese (Let’s Go Guang!), Brain Party (MathMosisMania Game), Edupress (Science Lab Earth Science Game), Elmer’s Products (Mythbusters Weird Water World), Int’l Playthings (Wild Science Ant–O–Sphere), OWI (6 in 1 Educational Solar Kit), Precision Math (Spoils of Civilization), Risas y Sonrisas (Spanish Program for Kids), Your Baby Can (Your Baby Can Read! Deluxe Kit), Zillio (Zillio Mini Mountain), Jeezle Pete’s (Triviathon), Kid 2020 (Money Matters), Smarterville (Learn to Read).

Puzzles & Logical Thinking Games – b. dazzle (Salmon Scramble Squares® Puzzle), Blue Orange Games (YAMSLAM), Cadaco (QuadDoku), Carson–Dellosa (Color & Shapes Robot Race), Creativity Hub (Rory’s Story Cubes®), Game Whys (Paradice), Hallmark (Play With Your Food), I Can Do That! (Dr. Seuss Stretchy ABC Game), Peaceable Kingdom (Fish Stix Game), Playroom Entertainment (Ligretto), Pressman Toy (Rummikub Kids Edition), Twin Sisters (Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle).

Social & Dramatic Play – Pipperoos (Sea Play Creative Drama Kit), Wild Republic (Morphs), Folkmanis (Pack Rat Puppet), Green Toys (Recycle Truck), Granza (Adorable Kinders Rag Doll).

Socially Responsible Products – b. dazzle (Salmon Scramble Squares), Baby Genius® (Baby Genius Pet Care Center), Black Belt Goals (Karate Belts), Bright Spots Games (Thoughts and Feelings), Charlie’s Playhouse (Giant TimeLine), Green Toys (Recycling Truck), Innovative Toys (ScareMeNots), Kubit2me (Lil’ Scholars Edition), Mindlogic (Consensus® Jr. Ed.), Moody Bands (Moody Bands).

Ten Best Toys – BuckleyBoo (BuckleyLion), Chicco (Talking Vacation Car), Drumwell (GeoSafari World), Folkmanis (Pack Rat Puppet), Funrise Toys (Tonka Strong Arm), Granza (Adorable Kinders Rag Doll), Learning Journey (Cash Cow), Learning Materials Workshop (Torno Torno), Twin Sisters (Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle), Wild Republic (Morphs).

And many more wonderful smart toys and children’s products including Corwin (Hands–On Learning!), Emotes by Everglow (Bubba Plush), EOSGAME (Leaves), Ezyroller (EzyRoller), Idea Storm Products (Yamodo Partytime), Ideopolis (Alphabotz Cards), O Yeah Toys (Amflipian), Tangle Creations (Learning with Tangle Brain Tools), and others.

Interviews regarding the recommended best smart toys and play products can be arranged through Walsh Public Relations at 203-292-6280 or by e-mail to greg@walshpr.com .

Eight Awards in JUST Eight Months for the Exploracise Gymathtics DVD

2009-10-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Not only is the Exploracise Gymathtics DVD exercising minds and bodies of children across the country but it is being recognized by the most prestigious awards in the Toy and Educational Industries.

Just announced last week, Gymathtics won the Dr. Toy 100 Best Products 2009 and Dr. Toy 10 Best Active Products 2009. As a parent, I know that a Dr. Toy Award is like winning Olympic Gold and winning so many awards in such a short time has been an honor.

We just received the review from the National Association for Gifted Children Recommended Toy List. Only 14 products were selected for the recommended list and will be included as part of a display at the NAGC convention in November. In the September issue of Parenting for High Potential, the review reads as follows:

Gymathtics
"A brilliant idea to combine math and exercise, this revolutionary DVD teaches math and healthy lifestyle concepts while performing a complete exercise routine. The exercise program is great for kids of all ages, while the math facts are targeted at traditional second through fifth-grade levels. After viewing this DVD, our testers continued playing this new "game" on their own, finding fun and creative ways to stretch and move their bodies into triangles, planes, intersecting lines, and a variety of other mathematical concepts. Besides getting the kids moving, this DVD's value as an inspirational tool for young math lovers is invaluable." This years NAGC recommended toy list testers considered many variables when deciding on products to include but the overall theme was "Finding Value in Play". "It is such an honor to win this prestigious award. Our first show launching the company was at the 2008 NAGC conference in Tampa and to be included on the Recommended Toy List for 2009 shows our commitment to helping children of all levels learn through fun interactive techniques," states Exploramania Founder, Carrie Scheiner.

Out Of This World Visitor at the ABC Kids Expo

2009-09-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

The ABC Kids Expo is the leading trade show in the juvenile products industry. Exploramania was a new exhibitor at this show in Las Vegas bringing a new friend to Planet Exploramania.

For two days, Robot "4 Fitter Crania" from Planet Exploramania entertained attendees introducing them to the award winning products at the Exploramania booth. Millennia is the most advanced communications robot on the planet and has addressed the United Nations, was the co-host on the MTV show Punked, and has many more accolades under his "belt". Millennia was originally designed to work with special needs children and visits many schools and hospitals each year.

"Exploramania was excited to host Millennia at the ABC Expo to partner with our Red Rocket/planet theme and because of the shared passion to help children," stated Carrie Scheiner, founder of Exploramania .

Robot "4 Fitter Crania" from Planet Exploramania was a big hit with exhibitors, attendees, and children. Look for video coming soon to see this Out-Of-This World Experience.

Teen Choice Awards Celebrity Gift Suite

2009-09-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Exploramania had a fabulous opportunity to share the Award Winning Gymathtics DVD and new Exploracise Math Mat with celebrities at the Teen Choice Gift Room. Just a few of the celebrities that were introduced to Exploramania included Jason Earles from Hannah Montana, Chelsea Staub from Jonas, David Henrie from Wizards of Waverly Place and more than fifty others.

It was so exciting to be invited back to the Connected Celebrity Gift Room to meet new celebrities and see ones that we met previously. Jason Earles from Hannah Montana was one of the new celebrities we met. Felicia and Aaron were both so excited as huge fans of the show and Jason's character, Jackson who is the brother of Hannah Montana. He was extremely nice and eager to share the Gymathtics routine with his nieces who are the perfect age for this program.

We also saw David Henrie again and the Gymathtics kids were so excited with anticipation of the premiere of the Wizards of Waverly Place movie coming soon on the Disney Channel. Though we did not get any inside scoop, we also met David DeLuise, Jennifer Stone, and Maria Canals Barrera from the cast. This is one of our favorite shows and the kids were so excited to meet so many of the stars.

The highlight of the entire event was the hear the incredibly talented newboy band sensation WOW. They are amazing singers and performers andgenuinely nice guys. Check out our video on YouTube meeting the band. We are planning great things with them so watch for more updates.

The Making of Gymathtics 2.0

2009-08-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

The final filming for Gymathtics 2.0 came so quickly yet was the longest to practice and film. The cast filmed the Shape Stretches Warm Up and Counting Calisthenics during the final shoot. These are my favorite parts of the movie because they have the most math.

It is important to start any exercise program with a warm up to get the body moving and ready for the more intense parts of the routine. The Shape Stretches Warm Up gets us moving our body with lines, arcs, and irregular pentagons ending with sphere kicks to bring the routine to a new dimension.

Counting Calisthenics gets your heart pumping and tongue twisted as we count integers, fractions, and pi to the 19th decimal while exercising to fun upbeat music.

As summer ends and the cast is all now back to school except Ms. Carrie, the final filming was completed to create the next level of the Award Winning Gymathtics series. Now the editing will begin with plans to have the new Exploracise Gymathtics 2.0 ready for the 2009 holiday season.

"I know the new program will help so many children learn math by having fun and getting healthy at the same time, states Ms. Carrie, "we want every parent, professional, and instructor to have more tools to help kids develop a love of learning and healthy lifestyle to be a dream stretch star for life!"

It's "Official" !

2009-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Exploramania announces that we are now the Official Licensee of WOW The Group for Children's Education and Healthy Lifestyle Products. Look for great things to come as well as some new product lines emerging on the scene too!

EXPLORAMANIA SELECTED FOR TEEN CHOICE AWARDS CELEBRITY GIFT SUITE

2009-08-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

Exploramania gets chosen for third celebrity gift suite this year.

(Los Angeles, CA)—July 29, 2009 On August 7, 2009 Connected Celebrity Gift Rooms will be producing a poolside celebrity gifting suite celebrating the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. Exploramania is one of the exclusive companies selected to participate in this year’s gifting suite.

The Connected Celebrity Gifting Suite celebrating The Teen Choice Awards is the third Connected celebrity gifting suite Exploramania has participated in this year. Exploramania has previously distributed their award winning Gymathtics DVD, which teaches kids Math and healthy lifestyles, at Connected’s gifting suites celebrating the Kids Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards earlier this year.

Stars attending these gifting suites from popular Disney and Nickelodeon shows Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Sonny with a Chance, iCarly and Suite Life on Deck had so much fun with the Gymathtics workout. Since being a role model comes with the job, these child and teen actors were excited about receiving a gift that they could share with others to make a positive difference in their lives.

Nancee Borgnine, daughter of Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine and the VP of Marketing for Connected explained that the celebrity reaction was fantastic. She remarked, "If kids could see Kellan Lutz from Twilight having fun with Math, that would be great. Companies like Exploramania make the whole celebrity gifting phenomenon really beneficial.”

Even though she was there to receive gifts, Disney's Sonny with a Chance star Tiffany Thornton got into the spirit of giving by requesting extra Exploramania "Math" pencils to give to kids in a Children's Hospital she visits.

With all the technological distractions kids have access to these days it’s harder than ever to get them to be active, much less focus on their homework. Exploramania’s vision of bringing learning to life through interactive educational experiences mixed with the power and visibility of celebrity marketing will be a positive step to help kids develop a love of learning and a healthy lifestyle for successful lives ahead.

The 2009 Teen Choice Awards will celebrate the hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion and will air Monday, Aug. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The Connected Celebrity Gifting Suite celebrating the 2009 Teen Choice Awards will be taking place from 11am-6pm at a private location the Los Angeles area. Teen stars from all facets of the entertainment industry including television, movies, music and sports will be attending.

The Making of Exploracise Gymathtics II - Fast Paced Fun

2009-07-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

Last week, we taped a new section being added to Gymathtics II called Algebra Aerobics. This exciting section is fast paced and increases the aerobic conditioning in the routine. Participants will get their heart pumping with Counting Calisthenics and then move to Algebra Aerobics increasing their exercise level to challenge their body and mind.

Scientific research shows that during exercise neural growth factors are released in the brain increasing retention of concepts. It is like miracle gro for the brain so you learn things better and more completely during or right after exercise. The Exploracise Gymathtics programs leverage both the increased understanding of concepts from exercise and multisensory educational techniques which is also proven to improve learning.

During this fun new part of the routine, the algebraic equation has a solution of the total number of exercises completed. You will have to wait to see the movie to learn more about the equation and exercises but I will let you in on a secret that the solution is 100 total exercises. Get ready
to condition your heart and head with Algebra Aerobics coming soon in the next Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics II DVD.

President Clinton Highlights Economic Impact of Obesity Epidemic on Healthcare

2009-07-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Receives Pioneering Innovation Award from CDC

(NEW YORK) July 27, 2009 – President Bill Clinton today brought attention to the growing healthcare costs related to obesity in the United States and the urgent need for better prevention, assessment and treatment of the childhood obesity epidemic.

President Clinton, speaking at Weight of the Nation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s inaugural conference on obesity, discussed the significant impact of obesity on our nation’s healthcare system. According to figures released by the CDC today, obesity costs our nation as much as $147 billion per year in direct health care costs and lost productivity.
The President highlighted the work of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, facilitating innovations to significantly reduce childhood obesity in the United States by 2015.

“Nearly one-in-three children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese,” said President Clinton. “As the healthcare costs of obesity continue to soar, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthcare Initiative has taken a lead by bringing together health insurers, employers, and national medical associations to provide more than one million kids and teens in the U.S. with healthcare benefits for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, but we must all do more to develop innovative solutions to combat the obesity epidemic.”

Launched in February 2009, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthcare Initiative marks the first time national medical associations, leading insurers, and employers have collaborated to combat childhood obesity. Eligible children will have access to up to four follow up visits with their primary care provider and up to four visits with a registered dietitian per year (which depending on the carrier might occur through the physician’s practice). These healthcare professionals will work with children and their families on how to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“We know that effective prevention and reversal of obesity in childhood will lead to longer and healthier lives,” said Clyde Yancy, MD, president of the American Heart Association and medical director for Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute and chief of cardiothoracic transplantation at Baylor University Medical Center. “Through the Alliance Healthcare Initiative, the best science will inform prevention and treatment to help those most in need – the overweight and obese children. The American Heart Association is delighted to partner with the Clinton Foundation on this wonderful initiative.”

Current participants in the Alliance Healthcare Initiative include the national insurers, Aetna and WellPoint, along with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, PepsiCo, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association.

In addition to presenting the keynote address at the conference, President Clinton accepted the Pioneering Innovation Award on behalf of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The award recognizes the success of the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program, established to help schools develop and implement policies and practices to promote healthy eating and increase physical activity. Currently more than 5,000 schools and more than three million students across the U.S. belong to the Healthy Schools Program.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition from the CDC for our work with schools,” said Ginny Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “We believe there is no single cause and no single solution to the childhood obesity epidemic in the U.S. That is why the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child’s health including at schools and in doctors’ offices.”

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation will have a prominent role at the conference. On Tuesday, July 28th Ginny Ehrlich, Alliance Executive Director will moderate a panel discussion on “Engaging Medical Systems in Obesity Prevention.” Additionally, Jessica Donze Black, Alliance Healthy Schools Program Director will moderate “Raising a Healthy Generation Once School at a Time” on Wednesday, July 29th.

About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation joined forces in May of 2005 to create a healthier generation by addressing one of the nation’s leading public health threats – childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. The Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, restaurants, doctor’s offices and communities. For more information please visit: HealthierGeneration.org.

The Making of Gymathtics II

2009-07-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

It is so exciting to be working on Gymathtics II. We are taking all of the wonderful things we learned about making a video the first time and creating an even better exercise and educational experience. The first Exploracise Gymathtics DVD has already won SIX awards so how can Gymathtics II top it.

Well, I am not sure it will top it but it will be just as much fun exercising minds and bodies to be a DREAM Stretch Star for life. We recently filmed the outdoor sections of the video including Pattern Power and the Well Being Wind Down. We are so fortunate to have the serene and beautiful backdrop of the gorgeous home of a close family friend and had such a wonderful day to create colorful scenes for the video.

The most exciting news for the Gymathtics II video is our new cast members. Anika, an active and enthusiastic fourth grader, and her brother, Sean, a very happy kindergartener, are joining the original Gymathtics cast to bring more fun to the group. Aaron, Felicia, Kelsey and Jonathan are all having fun learning and practicing the routines together with Anika and Sean.

At the first filming, the creative VHVideo.com team came up with a unique idea for the beginning of the Well Being Wind Down segment. The cast will definitely make a big Splash in that scene. No, this is not High School Musical 2 but Gymathtics II has a pool scene with a twist. You will have to wait for the video to find out.

More coming about the making of Gymathtics II as we practice a new section called Algebra Aerobics. Yes, Algebra to exercise can be fun to condition the heart and head for a healthy life.

MTV Movie Awards

2009-07-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Another incredible experience sharing the Award Winning Gymathtics DVD with celebrities at the Connected! MTV Movie Awards Gift Suite. We met over 60 celebrities during the two day event including Erik Estrada, Fred Willard, Christopher Atkins, Leticia Cyrus, David Henrie, Debby Ryan, Emily Grace Reaves, and Sterling Knight.

Not only, did we share the amazing Gymathtics routine that encourages everyone to be a DREAM Stretch Star. But we gave t-shirts with this slogan to the Hollywood Stars and many celebrities also signed shirts that will be auctioned to support a children's charity.

Each and every celebrity we meet are so nice. This time we had a lot of fun talking with Daniel Curtis Lee who is on the new Zeke and Luther show (by the way, Adam Hicks does not seem like his character at all - amazing acting). He was so interested in learning more about our program that he started trying out the exercises right there with the video. Check out the video with Daniel.
We also really enjoyed talking to Tiffany Thornton from Sonny with a Chance. This was our second time meeting Tiffany and Felicia ran over giving her a hug when she walked in the door. I was very enthusiastic to hear if she tried the Gymathtics program with her 4-year old nephew that was going to be visiting a few weeks after the Kids Choice Awards. Well, she did try it with him and he LOVED it!! "Check it out" and hear all of her great comments on YouTube including Felicia and Tiffany doing the check it out girls routine for Get Fit! Get Smart! Have Fun!

Exploramania Takes a New Award for the Summer

2009-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Dr. Toy’s Summer 2009 Guide has included Exploramania’s Gymathtics DVD in its Award category for Best Vacation Children’s Products. Those products chosen are designed to assist children to play and learn at home and while on vacation.

Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products are carefully chosen, using extensive criteria that Dr. Toy has developed over many years, from among hundreds of products reviewed at toy fairs, in catalogs, and through many other sources. The criteria that is used includes: safety, age-appropriateness, design, durability, lasting play value, cultural and ethnic diversity, good transition from home to school, educational value, learning skills, creativity, improvement in the understanding of the community and the world, good value for price, and, naturally, fun.

We’re excited to have received this award as it helps validate all of our hard work and dedication to helping kids stay healthy.

Brittany Curran's Swag Bag

2009-06-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

While the Gymathtics stars were mingling with Celebrities in Studio City, CA at the MTV Movie Awards Gift Room, celebrities across town at Brittany Curran's 19th Birthday Party were walking home with a copy of Gymathtics in their gift bag.

Celebrities including Noah Cyrus, Keana Texeria, along with so many others enjoyed a retro 50's swim party to celebrate Brittany's birthday. Check out the links listed below and there are contests for swag bags from the party on-line at:

POPSTAR! Magazine BRND NEW http://popstaronline.com/blog/entry/win-brittany-currans-bday-gift-bag/
OCEANUP http://www.oceanup.com/2009/06/brittany-curran-birthday-swag-bag.html
JUST JARED JR http://justjaredjr.buzznet.com/2009/06/02/happy-birthday-brittany-curran/

So much to write, So little time...

2009-05-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

Exploramania was invited to participate in the Kids' Choice Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge in March. We met over 40 celebrities and shared the Award Winning Gymathtics DVD with them explaining our product and asking them to participate in the GET FIT! GET SMART! HAVE FUN! Slogan Challenge. We have blogged about a few and put up videos on the Exploramania YouTube channel for many. Life is just so busy as a mom and entrepreneur that the goal of blogging about each celebrity will probably not come to fruition. Later this week we are going back to Hollywood for the MTV Movie Awards Gift Room and will meet even more celebrities during the two day event.

Just a final note that meeting these celebrities at the KCA Gift Room was so surreal and exciting. Everyone was so nice and seemed genuinely interested in our vision to help children develop a love of learning and healthy lifestyle to be a DREAM STRETCH Star for life.

We will continue to add new videos to www.youtube.com/user/exploramania so check back each week to see which celebrity video was added. With our next trip to CA, there will be even more videos coming from that visit.

May is Physical Fitness Awareness Month

2009-05-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

May is the perfect month for Physical Fitness Awareness Month. In many warmer climates, it is still a good temperature to be active outdoors before the heat of the summer sets in. In the cooler climates, it is getting warmer and just the beginning of fun outdoor activities as the summer approaches.

What physical activities have you (or your children) done lately? There are so many fun fitness activities that you can do as a family to keep everyone active. The Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics DVD is one activity that everyone can do together or kids can do while parents are busy with household responsibilities. Get a complete 30 minute workout while learning about math and healthy lifestyle concepts. Children as young as age 3 to as young-at-heart as age 73 can enjoy the exercise program.

There are many outdoor activities from kicking a ball to swimming. You can add math into many of these activities. The example uses counting and adding with basketball. Aaron and Felicia like to play a basketball game called 21. You have to get a total number of points of 21. Depending upon which line you shoot from determines how many points you get for that basket. Once someone wins the game by reaching twenty one, we also jog around the play area counting from 21 down to 0 just to get in a little extra exercise and math. Add comments on fun active ideas that you do to keep kids exercising their minds and bodies.

Get Active for Summer

2009-05-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Gymathtics was mentioned in a Tampa article about indoor active ideas to keep kids moving during the summer months. The Exploracise Gymathtics DVD was also nominated for the Dr. Toy Vacation Products Award to be announced in June. In Florida, it can be too hot or rainy to do outdoor activities and safe indoor alternatives are key.

In addition to being active like the WII or other exercise videos for kids, Gymathtics incorporates educational concepts to keep their minds active too. During the summer months while kids are on break, Gymathtics exercises kids minds and bodies with learning math facts and healthy lifestyle concepts during a 30-minute workout.

The combination of exercise with multisensory learning actually helps children learn the information more completely increasing retention and understanding of concepts. The best part about the program is that children do not even realize they are learning while they are having fun doing to the exercise routine.

The Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics DVD and other exer-gaming products are a great way for busy parents to keep kids active while at home over the summer. Visit Exploramania.com to learn more about the product and see a short video clip.

The Exploramania Dream and Overcoming Obstacles

2009-05-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

Just before Felicia entered school full-time, Adam and I participated in a seminar called Maui Mastermind. The leader, David Finkel, and the guest speaker, Elizabeth Kanna, both spoke about stretching your mind to create BIG dreams, finding your passions and understanding your unique talents. As I moved into the next phase of my life, I wanted to return to my passions for helping children and math education. I wondered how could I use my unique talents of product development and planning to fuel my passions and create a BIG dream? The brainstorming began and Exploramania was born. The vision of helping children learn through fun interactive experiences grew into the first series and product, ExploraciseGymathtics. I wanted to create products that synthesize education and a healthy lifestyle, beginning with my passion for math education.

However, I have never made a movie and never created an exercise program. An even bigger obstacle was that I have an autoimmune disease that creates joint and muscle pain that could have been a major obstacle in creating a children's exercise video.

I moved forward and worked with an amazing video production company, VHVI DEO.com, who helped provide some initial direction in creating the movie. I was also lucky that my friend and neighbor Joanne, who lives across the street from me, is an expert in the fitness industry. When Joanne and I first met to create the routine, I did not know what bpm (beats per minute) meant and she was not sure about a quadrilateral. Yet together we began creating a kids workout that will help so many children.

Under physician supervision, we developed, practiced and taped the exercise routine. As I exercised to practice and create the program, the extra exercise made my body feel better instead of worse. Again, knowing my medical issues, I would have told someone they were crazy to think I would create an exercise video for kids. But, I visualized my dream and succeeded by overcoming my biggest obstacle and believing that no obstacle would get in my way. I hope my story shows others that you can reach for your dreams and achieve them when you put your mind to it.

"Sonny" Stars with Exploramania at Kid's Choice Awards

2009-05-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

It was so exciting to meet Tiffany Thornton and Doug Brochu from Sonny with a Chance. This show just began recently and we had only seen one episode before participating in the Kid's Choice Awards. Funny enough the episode we saw was where Tiffany Thornton wore a bald cap to protest negative comments about her on the web. So, Felicia was very interested in the bald cap and asking her about it. We were so excited to share Gymathtics with Tiffany because she has a nephew that is just at the right age to enjoy the program. She mentioned that she was going to share it with him during an up coming family visit. We know that he will enjoy it and they will Get Fit! Get Smart! and Have Fun together!

I think Felicia's favorite episode that we have watched since the event is the Check It Out Girls. Even though this episode also included the ideas of learning geometry, I was a little concerned about some of the messages being presented. Of course, we have to remember that these shows are entertainment and can be enjoyed knowing that they are not real. "Check Out" the videos of Tiffany and Doug's versions of the Gymathtics Get Fit! Get Smart! Have Fun! slogan on the Exploramania YouTube Channel. "Yeah, Check it Out!" Check Out the Gymathtics video at www.exploramania.com. Check Out the Gymathtics program on your TV! Check Out Your Kids getting healthy using the video! Check Out 30 minutes of quiet while your kids are using the video!

Experience Family Fun

2009-05-11T06:37:00.000-07:00

Exploramania wants to develop products that create interactive educational experiences. Everyone can have fun through hands-on experiences at any age. You can create your own experiences in your home, yard, neighborhood, or take a trip.

This past weekend we celebrated Felicia's birthday by taking a trip to Orlando. She experienced special time with Daddy camping and sleeping in a tent and a special day with family and friends at Epcot. There are so many wonderful places to learn through hands on experiences including science centers, museums, gardens, and last weekend it was Epcot.

We are so fortunate to live in Florida and have experienced Epcot before as a family. However, each time we learn something new and experience something different. This time we tried the new Team Possible adventure which had the kids searching for clues and finding secret treasures in the countries. I think Japan may have been the favorite for both the adventure
and the gift shop.
With summer just around the corner, plan some fun family day trips to local sites. If you do some research in advance, you can create your own thrilling adventure to learn about new things through fun interactive experiences. You can also have a fun interactive experience right in your
home with Gymathtics. Visit www.exploramania.com to learn more or order your copy.

On the Road Again

2009-05-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Exploramania is once again heading to Hollywood. This time we are going to participate in the 2009 MTV Movie Awards as one of the unique gifts for the stars in the Celebrity Gift Lounge on May 29th & 30th. We are excited about this opportunity as our experience at the Kids Choice Awards was phenomenal. It will be fun to see who we will get to meet and of course we will share our experience here on our upcoming blogs.

May is Fitness Awareness Month

2009-05-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

May has been observed as National Physical Fitness Awareness Month since 1983. Led by The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, many organizations and individuals have developed programs or events to promote the importance of physical activity to create a healthy lifestyle leading to a happier and more productive life.

Many states, towns and neighborhoods will be participating in events to increase awareness of physical fitness and sports. Check your local paper to see what activities maybe be happening in your town and get involved. You can do more right in your home through several family fun activities. Exploramania launched our first product focused on getting kids healthy with a 30 minute workout that also teaches math facts and healthy lifestyle concepts.

The Exploracise series will continue to bring interactive educational exercise products to families to Get Fit! Get Smart! Have Fun! Learn more about the Award Winning Exploracise Gymathtics program at www.exploramania.com. Celebrate National Physical Fitness Awareness Month by bringing Gymathtics into your home and having family fun together!

Gymathtics Earns An MBA

2009-04-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

It was announced that the Exploracise Gymathtics DVD won the MBA - Mom's Best Award. In just a few months, Exploramania's new innovative educational exercise DVD debuted at the International Toy Fair, was selected to participate in the Kid's Choice Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge (KCA), and has won TWO awards. The Aegis Award recognized outstanding video production and quality. Exploracise Gymathtics was one of twenty five products to win the Mom's Best Award with products from companies like Crayola. Visit http://www.momsbestnetwork.com/winnersWinter09.asp to see the full list and visit the Exploracise Gymathtics page.

Gymathtics is a new innovative tool for families, professionals, and instructors to combat the obesity epidemic and math anxiety that affects so many children in America and around the world. Parents are seeking educational products and active products that get kids off of the couch. Gymathtics has BOTH! Visit our Exploramania YouTube Channel to see our interview on Toy Fair TV, Recent Live Event at Tampa Barnes & Noble, and the many Celebrity testimonials from the KCA Gift Room.

Please visit our website http://www.Exploramania.com or contact us to support Exploramania¹s passion of helping children learn through interactive educational experiences to become Dream Stretch STARS for life. GET FIT! GET SMART! HAVE FUN! Get Gymathtics at Amazon.com or Exploramania.com.

It's Been FUN!

2009-04-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

We're LIVE But Only For A Few More Minutes

2009-04-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Prize Giveaway #6

2009-04-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

If you have started following us in the middle of the event, don't worry just jump right in! Want to start at the beginning of our Gymathtics LIVE Event? You can do so by clicking on the blue event image to the right and it will take you right to the beginning!
We’re announcing our last giveaway during our Gymathtics LIVE Event - an iPod Shuffle that you can use when you workout!

Here’s what you need to do (must be entered during our live event on 04/24/09 between 2-5pm EST):

* Leave a comment on this post letting me know you are virtually participating in the Gymathtics LIVE Event (REQUIRED) Note that early entries are already accounted for.
* Tweet this contest <-- Just click on the link, it’s THAT easy! (Optional - 1 additional entry for each Tweet)
* Follow me on Twitter (Optional - 1 additional entry)
* Blog about this contest (Optional - 1 additional entry for each blog post)
* Join my group on Facebook (Optional - 1 additional entry)

Winners will be announced after the event in a separate post!

...just click on our red rocket to blast you off to the new section.

DVDs, Healthy Treats, Videos, Pictures, OH MY!

2009-04-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Ride The NICE WAVE

2009-04-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

If you have started following us in the middle of the event, don't worry just jump right in! Want to start at the beginning of our Gymathtics LIVE Event? You can do so by clicking on the blue event image to the right and it will take you right to the beginning!

Ride the NICE WAVE! Words, Actions, Voice, Ears
Isn't exercising fun? Great Job...HIGH FIVE!

...just click on our red rocket to blast you off to the new section.

Just A Little More To Go

2009-04-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well-Being Wind Down

2009-04-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

If you have started following us in the middle of the event, don't worry just jump right in! Want to start at the beginning of our Gymathtics LIVE Event? You can do so by clicking on the blue event image to the right and it will take you right to the beginning!

Let’s start our well-being wind down…
Check out our Healthy Lifestyle Highlights

...just click on our red rocket to blast you off to the new section.

Prize Giveaway #5

2009-04-25T11:52:00.001-07:00

If you have started following us in the middle of the event, don't worry just jump right in! Want to start at the beginning of our Gymathtics LIVE Event? You can do so by clicking on the blue event image to the right and it will take you right to the beginning!

We’re announcing our fifth giveaway during our Gymathtics LIVE Event - a Gymathtics DVD!

Here’s what you need to do (must be entered during our live event on 04/24/09 between 2-5pm EST):

* Leave a comment on this post letting me know you are virtually participating in the Gymathtics LIVE Event (REQUIRED) Note that early entries are already accounted for.
* Tweet this contest <-- Just click on the link, it’s THAT easy! (Optional - 1 additional entry for each Tweet)
* Follow me on Twitter (Optional - 1 additional entry)
* Blog about this contest (Optional - 1 additional entry for each blog post)
* Join my group on Facebook (Optional - 1 additional entry)

Winners will be announced after the event in a separate post!

...just click on our red rocket to blast you off to the new section.