Product Review: Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone - Mamas don't let your babies grow up without music!

My kids love American Idol, but - as I was explaining to a family friend - getting through the auditions, for me, is sort of like...well...watching a horror movie.

[covering ears and with one eye shut]

How are parents supposed to influence confidence and be supportive of their children's dreams, and yet be unsympathetic to their propensity for delusions of grandeur?

By singing along with them, of course - but, is nurturing an interest in music really all that important, for a child?

There is research that suggests, yes and according to Kidshealth.org - one of the most well known parenting websites - musical experiences are beneficial and research has shown that children who actively play or sing music regularly:

• do better in reading and math when they start school
• are better able to focus and control their bodies
• play better with others and have higher self-esteem

Now, you can jam on alongside your baby with the first ever hip-hop/rhythm-inspired preschool toy line Baby Jamz, created by Mathew and Solange Knowles (Beyonce's father and sister):

"My grandson Julez, was the inspiration for this idea and I am especially excited that most of the Nursery Rhymes are sung by my daughter, Solange Knowles."

Coming from such a talented family, your baby's bound to bust a movement.

My  youngest, however, was bitten by the flu bug and spent most of last week, on the couch.

Hooray!  Our first Team Mom product sample arrived!

Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone is a cute and colorful toy that allows your tots to record their own voice, sing along (karaoke style) to their favorite cds, or (in Mini-me's case) sing along to one her favorite television shows.

The microphone plays six pre-recorded tracks including Bingo, Old MacDonald, Skip to My Lou, This Old Man and Mary Had a Little Lamb.  Mini-me really enjoyed the play-back feature and hearing her own voice.

"That doesn't really sound like me; does it?"

As most adults, your child may find that their recorded voices sound way different - of course, she was sick and losing patience with having to remember to "press and hold record" - toddlers are going to need help manipulating the smallish buttons, but the microphone did allow her to change the speed of the music, to adjust to her feverish tempo, thankyouverymuch.

Overall, this product was a fun addition - to what started out to be a less than stellar day - and perhaps I'm wrong in believing she will grow up to be the most smartest, prettiest, or talented kid in America.

Watching her face light up after hearing our duet...well...it would be difficult to imagine, otherwise.

My 14-year-old trying to convince me that tongue piercings aren't scary...not so much.

Find It Here:  Available at Walmart for $9.99 - for ages 18+ months - along with other Baby Jamz products.

Edited to Add:

Mini-me came home from school today, grabbed the microphone and started to sing:

"It's da' best of bof-worlds!"

Yep, she's feeling better, all right.

[This product review made possible by Team Mom - A Division of Child's Play Communications]

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

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