Critical Thinking Co. (TOS Crew Review)

My children and I had the honor of reviewing a product from Critical Thinking Company. as part of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. The product we were sent was Balance Benders (Beginning), the title of which told me very little about the product until I had it in my hand. Wow. It's neat!

Balance Benders is a book of logic puzzles that are based on a balance scale, and we received the beginner level, which is geared for children from second to sixth grades. Big gap, I know, but there is a wide range of difficulty from the first puzzle to the last in the book, so I can see how they make that claim!

For only $9.99, it is a great resource! While many people may look at the book and have their doubts that it has any value, I immediately knew it was a great fit for our family. My husband and I are logical people, and I personally LOVE logic puzzles. I was instantly immersed in the book myself!! Then, I decided to see if our fourth-grader could do any of them (I am supposed to be reviewing this for second- to sixth-graders, right? ~grin~).

Well, without any commentary or queries, she promptly answered the first three and looked at me like, "uh-huh, and why are you asking me to do this?" I explained how difficult the concept is to some and how important it is that we train the logical parts of our brains while we are young. She seemed proud to be able to do the puzzles so easily.

I contemplated asking my first-grader if he could do them, but he is so sensitive when he doesn't get something right the first time (especially if he is following behind a successful attempt by his sister!), so I haven't done so. We'll see what the summer holds.

To read my fellow Crew Mates' reviews of Balance Benders or other products from Critical Thinking Company, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received Balance Benders for free as a member of the TOS Crew with the understanding that I would use it and review it. A positive review was not required, just deserving. I was not compensated for this review in any way.

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