Here Comes The Sun! 20% off Thumball order!

The sun is shining in New Jersey today and our thoughts are growing warmer! Share in the celebration with a twenty percent saving on your ENTIRE Thumball order until 2-15-11. Enter the word SUN in the discount code box at www.thumball-store.com

Thumball creates positive social interaction while developing key learning skills. Improve listening, speaking and reading skills while learning more about each other and the world.

Enjoy the classic lyrics of an all time favorite Beatles song here:

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right

the art of walking

My Muse: Matisse!! Moroccan Woman (Zorah Standing). Central panel of a triptych. 1912. Oil on canvas.

the art of walking
by Mary Miller Pembleton

...I tried to live your way, land locked and mountain high
But I keep cooking fish tacos when all you like is venison stew

My tattered pirate scarves, sandals in snow
You head to toe in camouflage, suspicious of open spaces

Knew on the honeymoon cruise trouble was afoot with you
in the state room green-gilled as I swayed in midnight moon glow

hoped the mermaid painting souvenir would be enough, you
made me a lamp of shells and sands, painted the walls "azure dreams"

for hours on end we perched in your home made tree stand waiting
for deer to come, in silent restraint, I longed only for the blue sea

satisfied by seaweed salad and salt on my sun torched lips
madly riding waves past sunset, tending the crackling bonfire till dawn

time to leave you to the beef jerky, turkey shoots and perfecting the art
of walking on dry leaves without making any sound at all

Great List of Kid's Toys-No Batteries Needed!

Metroland, an interesting and well written blog from Albany NY's alternative newsweekly has included Thumball by Answers In Motion on their list of cool Kid's Stuff. They summed up Thumball's staggering reach with the line, "Thumball is quickly becoming a hit from cribs to corporate retreats." It is true you may find a Thumball at a top corporate office or in a child's playroom in Indiana and that is part of the fun. A fun tool that encourages positive social interaction and increased opportunities for learning really is great for everyone at any age!

Thumball is showing up on Christmas lists, referenced in blogs and winning toy awards. Be on the look out this holiday season for Thumball to add to the magic that happens when loved ones get together and get to know each other even more, no batteries needed!

Do The Thumball Bop

Fat Brain Toys Chooses Thumball as A Winner!

4 inch Thumball has been chosen as a winner in the 2010 Fat Brain Toy Awards which means that visitors to Fat Brain Toys have chosen it as the best-of-the-best in specialty toys, games, and gifts. It is a honor to be recognized by a top notch educational toy retailer like Fat Brain. They offer the best toys for learning and family fun and we at Answers In Motion are thrilled to be part of their family of products. Using smart toys like Thumball at home and in school help students to develop focused attention, problem solving, social skills and healthy life styles. Thanks Fat Brain and thanks to all our customers and friends.

Thumball Loves Teachers

It's officially "Back To School" time and you know what that means! 15% off your Thumball™ order! Enter BTS1011 in discount code box(does not apply to sets). Great way for students to get acquainted with Who Are You Thumball. Want to develop student's character and encourage self reflection? Try Virtues and Values, Emotion Mania and Best, Worst First Thumball designs. We salute the fine educators committed to lifelong learning and improved communication for all.

New Thumball Catalogs Have Arrived

The new thumball catalog has three brand new Thumball designs inside for more conversation, language development and inter-personal interactions. Fuzzy Dice Designs created a fun, functional and fabulous catalog filled with detailed design descriptions, helpful tips to get the most out of your Thumball experience and sharp images. We are thrilled with the results and know our customers will be excited as well. Thumball Specials for back to school time will be coming soon!

Visit the website to view a pdf of the catalog.

Can You Hand Me A Towel

Just out of reach
a hazy muffled
“I love you.”
hung in the air

wiping our after
shower mirror
the fog lifted
reflecting 499 pieces

a puzzled
face
forever left
incomplete

Awesome Thumball Review at www.wired.com

Savvy users of technology will learn about Thumball, the ball for learning and improving inter-personal communication skills at www.wired.com  Jenny Williams posted a super review and explained the product with clarity and finesse. Will the mounting evidence that our recent submersion in technology can reduce effective social skills increase readers interest in a fun interactive product that stimulates conversation and positive social interaction. Answer Mania Thumball indicates " Yes! It is in the stars".

More Than Just A Ball: Catch A Conversation

Go beyond a game of catch with Thumball. Utilizing the brain-based principles of novelty, motivation, interaction and movement Thumball makes learning more fun! Thumballs are pleasingly squeezable balls with imprinted panels. Throw it. Catch it. Discuss what is written under your right thumb.

Want to improve listening and speaking skills while building vocabulary? 

• Select Category Mania Thumball or move Your Body Thumball

Need to promote self awareness and discuss feelings in an easy effective way?

• Select Emotion Mania Thumball or virtues and Values Thumball

Have to get acquainted quickly and easily?

• Select Who Are You for kids and Icebreaker Thumball for teens and adults

Eager to teach youngsters early learning skills?

• Select Numbers Thumball, My ABCs Thumball, Animals Thumball 
• and Shapes Thumball

 Want to make a business training or workshop more interactive?

• Select Meet and Greet Thumball or Best,Worst First Thumball

Having a get together or family gathering?

• Select Entertainment Talk Thumball

Thumball is the only ball that can do all this and more. Improve social skills, learn concepts, stimulate conversation and share memories with Thumball. The premiere tool used by trainers, educators, parents and leaders to maximize communication opportunities
Easy to play! Inexpensive! Fun! Competition free! With over twenty designs there is a Thumball for every age to meet any need. Thumball Gets Everybody Talking!
Catch a Conversation!

Thumball Helps Today's Most Valued Attributes To Grow

"The post-industrial economy is indifferent to men's size and strength. The attributes that are most valuable today — social intelligence, open communication, and ability to sit still and focus — ..." Hmmmm, can Thumball help with this? I vote YES. Interesting article below but not the "End of Men" but more the evolution of men and women. The key really is to learn to actively listen to others, check that you understood the message, ask questions to expand the conversation and provide an accepting attitude of their opinions. Not easy to do but a valuable strategy to practice.

Ode To A Thumball

when bodies move, learning improves
where listening grows, collaborations flow
as creativity is ignited, participants get excited
communication is enhanced, social interactions advance
it's a Thumball celebration
come join the conversation

Albert Knows A Thing OR Two

“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough -Albert Einstein

 I will never tire of recommending frequent and thorough comprehension checks whether at home, work or school. It is most vital with students with special needs such as ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Communication Impairments or delays or disruptions in the developmental process.
What can we do as parents, educators, trainers and employers to improve the learning and recall process?

1. Create a safe atmosphere to make mistakes and ask for help.
2. Ask learner to say back what was just said to know if message is getting through.
3. Break directions and concepts into shorter chunks.
4. Ask how they would teach the material.
5. Ask what is harder or easier to understand about the material.
6. Ask why this information is important to know.
7. Give examples of the practical application of what you are covering.
8. Make corrections with kindness, emphasizing that it is in making mistakes that we often learn the most.
9. Make mistakes often(play dim)and ask student to correct you in the way they would appreciate being corrected.
10. Discuss study techniques often and whether they learn more from rewriting notes, hearing the material multiple times, telling someone the material, highlighting key points etc.

Learning happens in every moment of every day and optimizing each moment will result in better comprehension, improved recall, more love of learning and perhaps increased self esteem. Albert felt good about himself especially when he made mistakes. He was also the consummate teacher always striving for learners to ultimately become their own teacher at heart.

“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” Albert Einstein

Thumball™ Rockin NY Toy Fair 2010

The best time of year is here again, February, when it is cold and snowy and time to share hearts, flowers and TOYS. The biggest and best toy expo in the world is held each year at the Javitz Center in New York City and classic, innovative and new toys are presented for all to see.

Thumball is now being exhibited by Talicor Inc, http://talicor.com/products?search[name_like]=thumball&x=14&y=14 a top quality toy distributor of educational, communication, Christian and family games. They will be in Booth #313this year displaying the Thumball line of products and introducing new designs. A chance for more retailers to learn about Thumball, the simple game that gets great results. Over and over in the news are discussions about the fading art of verbal communication and social skills. A simple game of Thumball gets people talking, interacting and behaving at their best.

"The Ball" was recently admitted into the Toy Hall of Fame http://www.museumofplay.org/NTHoF/index.php because it is a universally understood object of fun and recreation. Thumball improved on that concept by adding key words, phrases and questions to the ball which stimulate conversation and promote learning in a playful way. Parents, teachers and leaders in every field are excited by a simple toy that does so much more than just encourage toss and catch.


It may be cold every February and Toy Fair attendees rarely get to be home with their loved ones on Valentine's Day but the love of new business and dynamic products like Thumball keep them coming back every year for the fun and opportunities that abound.

Truth Time: It's About Truth and It's About Time

2010 is starting off well for us at Answers In Motion and our star product Thumball. Customers are coming to us from big business in search of ways to improve the office atmosphere. Administrators and teachers need a way to make parents more comfortable at school events; Educators report that "Our students are crazy about playing Thumball and knowing they will get to play motivates them and improves their classroom behavior." All this from a ball? Yes! Proving again that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Everywhere I look, everywhere I go I see more and more honesty coming through from friends, family and colleagues. Less of trying to get over on someone for a better deal and more about establishing relationships based on trust. The economic conditions still touch our company daily with our buyers needing more time to pay. We talk with them about it and when they are direct and honest and forthright we can't help but say Yes. At times this puts our own business at risk but then the magic happens and a new order arrives or an old unpaid invoice appears and is paid promptly. Fear holds us back from trusting but every time I take the risk it pays off. Sometimes the wait for that return is longer than we like but we stay the course and remain in our own truth.

President Obama stated some difficult truths during the State of The Union address further setting the tone for an outstanding new year, The Year of Truth and the growth from that alone will improve hearts, minds and ultimately the economy. And that's The Truth.

Answers iN Motion ThankTDmonthly Magazine For Thumball Review

Well spoken associate from TDmonthly magazine describes Meet and Greet Thumball by Answers In Motion and it's benefits.
http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/video/video.asp?clip=20453

TDmonthly magazine associate has some fun with Move Your Body Thumball. http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/video/video.asp?clip=20007

It never gets old seeing how people respond to Thumball products. One thing always stays the same the smiles, the enthusiasm and the surprise at what a simple ball can do!

Alibaba.com Gives Answers iN Motion Generous Gift!

The Business 2 Business global web site Alibaba.com has been one of our company's most important relationships. Nearly 4 years ago we located the primary suppliers we still use today through Alibaba.com . We have gladly shared our positive experience using their services. It has resulted in Answers In Motion being featured as part of a 4 page adve-torial in INC and Fast Company magazines (June09 issues).

We were interviewed for a new book about Alibaba, their origins and how to best use their services. We even video taped a happy 10th Birthday message to celebrate their anniversary date. Our biggest surprise came last week when they invited us to be apart of their annual ALiFest a Business Summit and trade show.

Alibaba.com offered us this opportunity at no cost to us and then we discovered the event is in China!! So in a month's time we will be flying around the world to participate in AliFest, experience a culture unknown to us and get to meet our suppliers personally. These wonderful people email weekly and call when needed and make top quality Thumball products for us. They are kind and cooperative and it will be a real pleasure to thank them in person.

The world of an entrepreneur is risky, tumultuous, rewarding and at times full of surprises. This is a wonderful surprise and an exciting opportunity and we give thanks to Alibaba and the universe for this experience.

Play It Smart with Thumball

Play It Smart with Thumball by Answers In Motion: "The Smart Balls" for Learning through Play! www.thumball.com

1. Meet & Greet Thumball for Family Reunions & Home Product Parties: provides thoughtful questions that stimulate interesting and fun conversations.
2. Ice Breaker Thumball for More Memorable Meetings: fun, easy way to increase employee participation & attention at trainings.
3. Virtues & Values Thumball for Building Self Esteem: encourages self-reflection on personal characteristics. How do you see yourself and how do others see you?
4. Category Mania Thumball helps "It's on the Tip of My Tongue" disorder: practice word finding with ease. Kids build vocabularies and older adults keep their brains sharp.
   
5. Emotion Mania Thumball for all including those with Asperger's: practice understanding and using facial expressions. Expands emotional intelligence.
6. Who Are You Thumball for all particularly those with Autism: fun way to socialize, turn take & make casual eye contact.
7. Move Your Body Thumball for Getting Active: teaches verbs, adverbs, body language & fitness. Act out each direction in reps of 3 to 5 for an entertaining work out.
8. Answer Mania Thumball for Making Silly or Serious Decisions: ask it any yes/no question and it helps you know what to do or not to do!
9. Thumball Literacy Set for Better Reading Comprehension: reinforces story elements (plot, conflict) and provides practice in retelling classic tales.
10. My ABCs or Letter Mania Thumballs for Learning Letter Sounds: enhances phonological skills essential to reading development.
11. Numbers Thumball for developing Math skills: count, learn 1 to 1 correspondence, practice math equations. Throw it twice and add, subtract or multiply!
12. Shapes Thumball for Early Cognitive Learning: develops visual perception, language skills and introduces prefixes.
13. Animals Thumball for Early Language Learning: develops naming skills, expands animal descriptions, perfect for Old McDonald sing along.
14. Catch Peace Thumball for Promoting Peace Around The World: increases cultural awareness and discussion of current events.
15. Soccer Mania Thumball for teaching skills & coaching: makes drills more fun, stimulates discussions about the match and reinforces rules & terms.
16. Love Always Thumball for showing you care: learn to say, “I love you.” in 10 languages and reflect on 20 quotes about love. Great for anniversary, wedding, showers, Valentine’s Day.
    

Thumball Bible Set Arriving in August 2009.
Baseball Thumball, Full Deck Thumball and Football Thumball soon to follow!

Literacy Thumball Set Winning Awards!

Announcing the 2009 Creative Child Magazine Awards!

Literacy Thumball Set- Tell The Tale Thumball™
2009 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
(Educational Toys category)

Literacy Thumball™Set- Parts of a Story Thumball™,
2009 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
(Educational Toys category)

Over 100 moms and educators evaluated Parts of A Story and Tell The Tale known as The Literacy Thumball Set and has awarded them the prestigious Seal of Excellence.

Enhance reading comprehension and stimulate interesting discussions about fables, fairy tales and books of every kind. Reinforce key story elements like plot, setting and conflict in a fun attention getting game. The Literacy Thumball Set is easy to play, sends a positive educational message, and is high in value while low in price.

Literacy skills are the foundation of effective life long learning! Congratulations to Answers In Motion, exclusive designer and manufacturer of Thumball products.

Mrs. Çalifornia Crowns Thumball The Winner

You just never know where Thumball will take us and who we may meet. Mrs. California, Lisa McCumber Gandara was an unexpected surprise for us and she delighted us with her energy and enthusiasm. We introduced Thumball products to her and after the 6 second learning curve she really got the big idea.

With 3 children she was enthusiastic about the Who Are You and Category Mania Thumballs. For gatherings with friends, families or in the workplace she loved the Ice Breaker design. Lisa is committed to family and her platform is to bring back family dinners. Thumball can start the meal time conversation with ease. Mrs. California reported her family "had so much fun playing Thumball together".

I had never met a pageant queen before and don't really know what I expected but Lisa was a wonderful surprise in her sash and crown and we wish her all the best. She may win the Mrs United States pageant this year but it seems clear she is already a winner to her family and friends.