Released on: June 23, 2008, 3:53 am

Press Release Author: Deanie Barth

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: The first level is just a batting tee, then it will give a
small pop up to attempt to hit with the bat.

Press Release Body: Summer time is here and that means getting outside to play. Here
are some ideas for every age group to get them out of the house as well as help them
to achieve milestones and develop the necessary play skills.

INFANTS -- TUMMY TIME

Tummy time is extremely important for your infant to develop the strength in her
neck, trunk and shoulder girdle, which will enable her to ultimately crawl.
Unfortunately, most children are not very tolerant of tummy time, so trying out
different environments and stimuli will encourage your child to spend longer periods
of time on her stomach.

Take advantage of the weather and bring that tummy time mat outside and in the shade
of a tree. Then try blowing bubbles into the air so your child will look up and
attempt to prop herself up on her elbows. You could even encourage her to try to
reach out to burst one of them.

If you find yourself at the beach, you can place the tummy time mat on a raft on the
sand. She'll really enjoy the bouncy feeling the raft provides. You can also enjoy
these same activities together once your child is sitting.

For these activities, we recommend a playmat which can also double as a great place
for your infant to take a snooze after all her hard work. The Soft and Snuggly
Blanket is very easy to bring along for these purposes as is our Bubble Bucket which
can also be used with older children. If your child is content on his tummy and
requires less entertaining from you, bring along the Taggies Look At Me Mirror,
which has several textures and sights to keep her entertained, including her own
reflection!

TODDLERS -- STANDING AND WALKING

As your child becomes more mobile, she will need a little help with learning to
stand and walk. A great way to strengthen muscles is by climbing. Slides are a
perfect tool to use for climbing and sliding down in upright sitting is a great way
to help increase trunk strength. Don't have a playground nearby? No problem, our
Fold and Store Slide has a small ladder that can be used for assistance to pull to
stand and climbing. It is small enough to take outside with you. If you plan on
using it before the recommended age, be sure to supervise and assist accordingly.

If you have a new walker, no doubt he is ready to explore new environments. Take him
out to a nice open grassy area and encourage him to walk around. Walking on uneven
terrain is a perfect way to challenge and enhance his balance. Try bringing a ball
out with you and encourage your child to kick it, throw it, and catch it. These
activities will help augment balance, hand to eye coordination and overall gross
motor coordination. And the fact that your child will constantly have to squat to
retrieve the ball with his hands will increase lower leg strength as well. A great
first ball is our O Ball which has finger holes, making it very easy for little
fingers to catch and throw.

TODDLERS -- RIDING/PEDALING

As your child becomes more adventurous, he is going to want a more efficient way to
investigate his surroundings. A tricycle or ride on toy is a great way for him to
get around quickly and an opportunity for you to leave the bulky stroller at home. A
great, first ride-on toy is our Tiny Trike. If you think you might be going further
from home than your toddler's little legs can handle, then opt for our Push and
Steer Trike. He can be as independent as he would like to be, but if he poops out,
then Mom or Dad can give him a push home. It is also a perfect toy for new riders
who may not have the steering down and could use a little help.

3 YEARS AND OLDER -- JUMPING THROWING AND KICKING

Once your child really starts moving, you are going to need more creative ways to
develop their play skills. First your child starts jumping and then they'll learn to
hop. A great tool four encouraging these skills is hopscotch. You could bring
sidewalk chalk out to a playground and test your artistic skills by drawing a
hopscotch board, or you could just take advantage of our Hopscotch Floor Tiles which
break down into a small portable carrying case and sets up very easily. In addition
to hopping and skipping, you can work on throwing skills using the numbers as
targets. Another fantastic toy to bring outside with you to work on both throwing
and catching skills is The Fun Gripper Balls which come in a package of three
including a football, soccer ball and baseball and are soft and easy for small hands
to grip.

Once your child has mastered all the aforementioned play skills, he is ready to move
on to more challenging games which will help prepare him for the sports he will
engage in once he begins grade school. Our Bat, Ball and Glove Set is a great toy to
begin teaching baseball. All items are soft and make gripping very easy which means
low levels of frustration when first learning. Once this toy becomes too easy for
him, you can move on to Triple Hit Baseball, which grows with your child's batting
skills. The first level is just a batting tee, then it will give a small pop up to
attempt to hit with the bat. Once his hand to eye coordination is developed enough
to make contact at both these levels, you can move on to an actual pitch from
several feet away. After that, get ready for the big leagues (or realistically,
little leagues!). If your child is more interested in kicking sports, try our Super
Sounds Soccer which provides a net as a target for goals as well as a small bulls
eye which will make sounds every time it is hit, encouraging your child to fine tune
his kicking coordination. It also has a score keeper for up to two players, so it is
great for a play date.

Remember that summer time is a time to get outside and really get moving, but also
remember to play it safe and supervise your child at all times.

Web Site: http://www.ebeanstalk.com

Contact Details: Address:
eBeanstalk
50 Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854

Phone: 203-854-9600

fax number: 203 854 5590

email: customerservice@ebeanstalk.com