After seeing the movie “Parenthood” - where Rick Moranis quizzes his young daughter with flash cards - I vowed to adopt a relaxed attitude toward pre-school academics.  There’s plenty of time to worry about whether my children will qualify for the gifted and talented program.

For now, I’d like to help them have as much fun learning as possible.  Babies and toddlers learn by observing the world around them and making basic connections that we adults take for granted.  Flash cards with chemical symbols for all the elements in the periodic table won’t hold their attention.  But bright colors, interesting textures, and new sounds?  That’s more like it.

The School Zone Discovery Cards - geared toward babies older than six months - are intended to help expand their worlds in ways that little ones can enjoy and appreciate.  Our reviewers have received two sets of cards - Fuzzy Animal Friends and Peek-a-Boo Bear - and they’ll report back on how much their children enjoyed the cards.

Thursday, 3/1 - Quarter Rest

Friday, 3/2 - Mummy Chronicles

Monday, 3/5 - Growing a Life

Tuesday, 3/6 - Cheese Party

Wednesday, 3/7 - Hello Pushkin

Thursday, 3/8 - Seabird Chronicles

Friday, 3/9 - Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting

Monday, 3/12 - Domestic Diva

Tuesday, 3/13 - Motherhood Uncensored

Wednesday, 3/14 - I Obsess

We’ll also have a mid-campaign “here’s what they’re saying so far” post on Thursday, March 8.  Check back to see whether these cards go over better than the flash cards in “Parenthood”!