Where can I get an honest answer that isn't sales motivated (gander publishing)

[lorrainejmc]

I am interested in the Talkies program but the whole kit is so expensive and many items seem as if I could substitute them, eg the toys and felts. Other items seem as if they are for use by a therapist with multiple children, record keeping sheets, 3 magic windows, 3 magic doors. I am confused as to what purpose a $55.95 poster set would serve in a home environment. The sample of the manual shows a lesson where there is no mention of any of the kit components.

 

So I emailed the customer service dept and the response was more or less "you need everything". The cost of shipping to the UK is another $115, plus I would expect to pay import duty of 30% as the kit contains items which are not exempt (usually printed educational materials entering the UK are tax free, but if something in the package is not exempt, the whole package is charged).

 

So, rant over but, does anyone know the real answer (or can tell where to find the real answer) to my question which was "which components are essential, which can I do without and which can I substitute?"

 

And I don't even know for sure if it's what we need but that is a whole other discussion.:tongue_smilie:

[Stacy in NJ]

I can't specifically address the Talkies kit, but I can comment on the See Stars kit from Gander. I absolutely did not need the whole kit. My ds attended the Lindamood center here in NJ and they didn't even use the complete kit. We hired one of his tutors to work with him privately, and he didn't use the complete kit. I took over the tutor about a year into our use, and I didn't use the complete kit.

 

I really suggest just buying the manual for now. You may find that a couple other components would be helpful or necessary, but you can order them later.

[merry gardens]

I can't specifically address the Talkies kit, but I can comment on the See Stars kit from Gander. I absolutely did not need the whole kit. ...I really suggest just buying the manual for now. You may find that a couple other components would be helpful or necessary, but you can order them later.

:iagree:

 

I agree. I haven't used Talkies, but I've used portions of LiPS, V&V and Seeing Stars. Many of the LMB manipulatives can be made at home or pulled together from somewhere else. Start with the manual and perhaps add a few items that look harder to make yourself or find elsewhere.

 

You might even try looking for a used copy of the manual before you place your order with Gander. I did that. (Although I'll also warn that I've also seen used copies of their manuals selling at nearly the same price as new.) After reading the manual, I did buy the LMB felts for LiPS and some of their other manipulatives. My children and I enjoyed working with their pretty colored felts. No, we didn't need to buy them, but I'm glad I did. It made our experience with their program more pleasant. As you pull together your order, you can save money by not ordering the entire kit, but I suggest you get a few of the items that you think you and your children will enjoy.

[Hikin' Mama]

:iagree:

 

I am using LiPS with my daughter, and I absolutely did not need the kit. I did purchase it and the training seminar. Even the instructor at the training seminar said all you need is the instructor's manual. He handed out the paper versions of what is in the kit. In the case of LiPS that is magnetic colored squares and magnetic letter tiles and mouth pictures. I am considering tutoring some day, so the kit will be nice for that because it's very durable.

 

While I have no knowledge of the Talkies program, I would say order the manual only. You can always go back and order some of the materials if you feel you need them.

[lorrainejmc]

Thank you all so much.:001_smile: I'm on the GP site right now and I still can't decide if I should get any extras. There are couple of card sets; Talking Cards and Picturing Vocabulary that are calling to me.:lol:

[rafiki]

.

[lorrainejmc]

Are you sure you want/need Talkies? I'm trying to think of the other book mentioned, was it Talkability? There is Nurturing Narratives, activities for Narration through play, etc. Super Duper Publications also has such wonderful language products and they run a weekly 50% off section.

 

I haven't used Talkies, but did use V/V and there were other programs that could have gotten me there much more inexpensively. Such as Reading is Seeing.

 

Have you tried posting a thread describing what you are looking for and seeing what else is out there?

 

I did look at a few of those but Talkies seemed most user friendly. I need it to be that way.:tongue_smilie: Also I just ordered the Talkies manual and talking cards so..:001_huh:

[merry gardens]

I did look at a few of those but Talkies seemed most user friendly. I need it to be that way.:tongue_smilie: Also I just ordered the Talkies manual and talking cards so..:001_huh:

Although I never used Talkies, I really like the LMB products and programs that I have used at home, as well as Gander Publishing. I hope these work out well for you. :)