.: About Building Blocks

Building Blocks for Tots is an interactive parent-child play, learn and discover television show. Parents, grandparents and caregivers watch the show together with their child and perform play activities being demonstrated, similar to watching an exercise video. However, in this case, the workout exercises are playful activities to help advance your child's motor skills, thinking processes, social skills and overall development—the building blocks for your child's future. In addition, this special play time is a great opportunity to bond with your child, develop a deeper relationship, and increase communication with your child—leading to a happier, easier-to-care-for child.

.: Beginning Stages

Building Blocks for Tots was founded by two moms, Keriann Osada and Susan Pereira. When Keriann was pregnant with her first son Zachary, she read tons of books, watched videos and went to classes on pregnancy, giving birth, feeding, sleeping, changing and bathing. She felt prepared, but she soon realized there was a gap in her preparation—What do I do with this baby all day between the feeding, sleeping, and cleaning? She wanted to help her baby grow intellectually and physically, but how? She looked for more books and videos, but the books weren't helpful or descriptive enough, and there were no videos for the infant age range, other than plopping baby in front of a TV to watch toys and bouncing aliens. She didn't want to develop a couch potato. She wanted to interact and bond with her baby.

In her search for interactive ways to play and teach baby, Keriann joined playgroups and parent support clubs. All of these were great; however some came at a hefty price, inconvenient time (nap time), and limited parking. Moreover, she forgot everything by that night. She really wished she could just watch a video of the class when it fit her and her baby's schedule, and refer back to it when she forgot all the words and motions and ideas.

It just so happened, Keriann was talking to high-school classmate and La Leche League volunteer Susan about breastfeeding tips. They compared experiences, laughed, and talked about the need for parents to interact with their infants and the lack of options for parents with infants under the age of 5. If only there were a television show to teach parents how to interact with their infants, toddlers and preschoolers....

One week later, Keriann called Susan with a monumental idea—"Why don't we produce an interactive parent-child television show?" "Keriann, I thought of this a year ago when Amalia was Zack's age! Let's do it!" Susan's acting background, child development experience, La Leche League certification, and most importantly—her love and passion to help develop her and other's babies combined with Keriann's business and engineering background, entrepreneurial experience and her quest for what's best for babies is the perfect combination for a successful show. Just to be sure, they asked other moms about the idea and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

.: Segments

Building Material

Building Blocks for Tots is like a play and learn group and parenting magazine on television. Parents (or grandparents) can watch the show together with their keiki for ideas on how to play that will enhance learning as well as for tips on anything from sleeping to eating strategies. The following are some of the segments you may see on Building Blocks for Tots:

.: Hello Song
The show starts with a hello song that is much like "circle time", inviting viewers to join in on the fun. A space has been saved for you! Join the fun and meet our hosts and find out what's in our "Bag of Wonders"™ which introduces our theme or concept of the day.

.: Song Time
During Song Time, join our circle time friends in singing a song that always has exciting motions to help your child with auditory awareness, coordination and rhythm—a pre-math skill.

.: Play Time
Play Time is always fun and helps your child's physical development too! Whether it's the Kabuki Tidal Wave™ with a large sheet that your child runs, walks or crawls over while you move it up and down (working on depth perception), or the Wave Rider™ where you pull your child around the room on a large sheet (working on dynamic balance), all of the props will be household items turned into super fun development toys.

.: Sign Language or Hawaiian Word of the Day
Communication is so important and can help reduce frustration with your child. Common words will be shown and demonstrated in ways to encourage your child to communicate.

.: Story Time
Did you know there's more to reading a book than just reading the words? This segment will demonstrate ways to read to your child interactively by asking questions and getting them involved.

.: Art Project
Art ideas that are simple, easy to do and easy to clean and explores the day's theme will be demonstrated with detailed instructions on this website.

.: Tot's Day Out™
Ever wonder what it was like at a certain museum or adventure park? Find out things to do with your tot.

.: Tot Topic™
What's the best way to get your child to sleep longer? How do you get him or her to eat more? Is it too early to potty train? This segment is for parents while children are given something else to do.

.: Good Bye
We always end with our good bye song. We hope to see you again!