Playworks sells toys that invite play and enhance development in children from birth through age five

Tot-a-Doodle-Do! award winning children's DVDs and "Crafty Kids" Craft Kits are designed to assist parents and caregivers in stimulating important developmental and life skills. Tot-a-Doodle-Do! products directly target key developmental skills of children ages 3-7. The key objectives include engaging the child and caregiver/parent, assisting children with the acquisition of appropriate developmental skills through the integration of music, arts and other creativity exercises, teaching children new vocabulary, sequencing skills, listening skills and manners, as well as nurturing communication, imagination and memory and encouraging exercise and movement. The show also includes special needs children in each episode, teaching tolerance, inclusion and teamwork.

The "Crafty Kids" Craft Kits come packaged with a fun, simple-to-do craft project and 30-minute live-action DVD and contain all the materials to follow-along with "Crafty Kids", one of six segments designed to aid parents and caregivers in teaching children life hallmarks including manners, social interaction, sharing, healthy eating, respect, acceptance and teamwork.

The six segments reflect the increasing problem of child obesity, growing concerns regarding children's manners, the recent increase in cases of autism among children, technological innovations that allow for increased integration and participation of children with physical and mental disabilities and the increasing number of home-schooled children in the United States.

• Molly Manners: An engaging puppet teaches manners through interactive role-playing.
• Imagination Station: Helps children work on memory, attention and focus skills
• On Our Block: Kids practice questioning and listening skills meeting someone from the community.
• Hop N Bop: Sing and dance to original music
• Super Snack: Create a healthy, delicious, non-cooking snack so any age child can participate.
• Crafty Kids: follow-along and make a fun craft that ties into the theme while honing fine motor skills.

In each "Crafty Kids" Craft Kit, in addition to the craft supplies and DVD, there is an Educational Reference guide written by the Tot-a-Doodle-Do! panel of experts. The guide walks parents and caregivers through the five developmental skills: Communication, Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Cognitive and Socialization broken down by age 2-3 years; 3-4 years; 4-5 years; 5-6 years; and 6-7 years: The Guide also provides tips for improving skills.

Each segment of Tot-a-Doodle-Do! assists with the development of important skills:

Fine Motor Skills describes the small muscle control necessary to make precise movements such as picking up a raisin or pushing a button. Tot-a-Doodle-Do! helps improve these skills through its Crafty Kids and Super Snack segments. These segments ask children to cut, color, staple, hole punch and pick up small items and arrange them in specific patterns.

Gross Motor Skills refers to the use of the large muscles by developing motor skills such as jumping, running, and climbing. These skills are stimulated during the Hop N Bop and Imagination Station segments where the children learn to use their bodies in different ways, move to the beat of music, and learn dance steps or movements involving marching, kneeling, jumping and clapping.

Communication (Speech and Language) Skills is the process by which one person conveys meaning to another, both verbally and nonverbally. This involves speech articulation, language comprehension and the use of expressive language. Language is an extension of the thought process. As such it is directly related to academic success. Tot-a-Doodle-Do! stimulates communication throughout the show as the children speak, listen, ask questions, follow directions and learn new vocabulary.

Cognitive Skills are the mental abilities that help us process the world around us. These include "pre-academic" skills such as counting, learning about shapes and colors as well as problem solving skills. While cognitive skills are utilized in all aspects of the show, attention and memory are specifically targeted in the Imagination Station segment.

Socialization refers to the process through which society integrates the individual and the individual learns to behave in socially acceptable ways. These skills include using good manners, taking turns, asking and answering questions appropriately and using cooperative play. Molly Manners and On Our Block teach children how to use good manners, be polite and get along with others.

For more information contact your Playworks representative or visit our website at www.totadoodledo.com