Challenge & Fun, Inc./FocusBloom
I Cherish Planet Earth Book & Game Set
- Age Range
- 4 - 10
- Price
- 16.95
- Phone
- 888.384.6200
- Introduction
- 2008
- Types
-
- Book
- Educational Skills Product
- Game
- Socially Responsible
- Green Product
This product, I Cherish Planet Earth, is more than simply a book or a game. The book introduces children to our multi-faceted natural world. It introduces 24 different nature loving affirmations such as, "I love the forest," "I honor all animals," "I conserve water," "I grow a garden," etc. Each affirmation is lovingly described alongside soft, beautiful pictures that both engage and delight. The set includes a "memory" pair matching game with a twist as it uses the artwork and affirmations to reinforce each concept as each tile is turned over in search of the matching pair. There are many extensions children can play, such as, Sharpening Memory, where you take a game piece, look at it for 30 seconds, close your eyes, bringing back the picture in your mind. Now tell all the different things you remember. What is happening? Make up stories and skits based on any of the pictures. What does it mean? Look up the meaning of terms such as cherish, respect, honor, value, etc.
Discussion time. At the end of the game have each player look at the matching pairs they have collected and discuss their meaning. Talk about how we are a part of nature and how it sustains us. Take action- Discuss different ideas and decide the Earth-friendly changes you can make and commit to in your life, home, and neighborhood. The picture book helps build meaningful understanding, while the memory game reinforces those ideas. The game extensions are well considered and offer the opportunity for communication, creative self-expression, and action. This activity set is about appreciating and preserving nature and our planet. It inspires all to learn about and care for all life, from the tiniest flower to the greatest forest. It is a natural addition to any go-green program, at home, neighborhood, school, or other community. Printed in the USA on recycled paper and it uses vegetable-oil-based ink. This product is part of the 1% for the planet program.
How Challenge & Fun, Inc./FocusBloom is a Green Company
Challenge & Fun was formed in 1998 with the goal to supply the American market with beautiful, hard to find children’s products. The company began with natural wooden fruits and vegetables from Germany, educational materials that were also made with natural components. At Toy Fair they introduced the first series of Keptin-Jr. organic cotton dolls. Being ahead of one’s time is often challenging as they told people about organic cotton they received puzzled looks. Nevertheless, they felt that given the high levels of pesticides used in producing conventional cotton products, it was important to continue introducing natural alternatives. Not only were the dolls made with organic cotton, they were also made in Europe, following strict labor and environmental standards. Two years later, they added a second line of organic cotton products, stuffed animals. At the time, the dolls were sewn by at-home workers in Germany (now produced in Lithuania and Turkey). One of the challenges of a distributor is the lack of control of each step of the production process. Nevertheless they always strive to work with companies with similar visions. Where they fall short they are urged to change, such as adding organic products, certifying wood, or applying for fair trade status, etc. One of their factories has just become Fair Trade certified. To produce the Labyrinth Balance Board when they couldn’t find the correct type of wood necessary for this product in the USA, the sourced it in Europe where forestry regulations were strict. The wood used is FSC certified to ensure sustainability. The remaining components were found locally, production was set in Massachusetts. They have made extra effort to work with local sheltered workshops where those with limited mental ability can work in a safe environment. New products, which use natural dyes for children’s bathwater, were recently added; I Cherish Planet Earth (Book and Game activity about the earth and nature), and new children’s music CD, whose packaging is certified green. They have long believed that a child’s environment (both toys and actual surroundings) needs to be wholesome, beautiful, and encourage creativity and imagination. The materials and packaging are just one small extension of this philosophy.
