My twins don't whine.  I don't know how this happened but my twins sing a song when they want something instead of whining for it.  They will sing it over and over, often times in unison, but it is much less annoying than the alternative.  Sometimes I will even join them.  The other day I was waiting in line at the grocery store and the mom behind me commented on how cute they were singing "I want the toy, I want the toy..." 

Please help sign this petition to stop the USDA from approving Monsanto's Roundup Ready genetically engineered alfalfa. 
http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5450

I can give you our progress report.  We are up to set 12 and my kids are reading CVC words and blends.  They just started watching Leapfrog Letter Factory & Talking Words Factory which has added new enthusiasm to their lessons; they hadn't been interested in the cards since last August.  The twins are now 38 months old and we were having difficulties getting them interested in the Fleschcards at the same time; so of course one would distract the other after only a few cards.  Now they are asking me to read with them.  I am making review books from the Fleschcards, some of the same words and some new words, to make it new for them, and if they get stuck I will sing the Leapfrog phonics song to help them along.  Before we start digraphs I'm hoping to find some resources to introduce the sounds. 

Don't forget that play can be a very useful discipline too as well as a way to connect with your child.  If you don't already have playful "I love you" rituals try making something up, then give it a silly name so your DD can ask for attention in a positive way.  I highly recommend the book Playful Parenting, but if you don't have time for the whole book here is a preview at google books. http://books.google.com/books?id=45EdmajNtzIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=playful+parenting&hl=en&ei=gI0kTfrRDYGqsAPQ6PXzAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Another thing about play, according to child psychologist Lev Vygotski and his followers, it's how children learn self control.  Recent research, based on Vygotsky's theories, has shown that integrating 30 minutes daily of mature dramatic play into a kindergarten curriculum increases children's self control.  The program is called Tools of the Mind, and although you probably won't be able to find this program in your area you may be able to make sure she is getting the right kind of play at home.  Here is a link to their website that discusses what parents can do at home. http://www.mscd.edu/extendedcampus/toolsofthemind/parents/index.shtml

We've been wondering about this lately, our little guy is being mischievious and laughs when we try to discipline him!  He's learned this high pitched shriek from somewhere, and he uses it not whenever he wants something.  We've been trying to not react or give any positive or negative feedback when he does this, but it's hard (esp when driving in the car, etc!) He puls my wife's hair VERY hard on a regular basis, gets this little gleam in his eye right before he does it.   We don't want to spank, etc, but I think he's testing his boundaries already.

We started having similar discipline issues that we couldn't childproof around when the twins were about 14 months old.  I tried lots of techniques but what worked the best for us was to recognize the impulse behind the behavior and find a substitut that still honored the impulse.  We had problems with  hair pulling intermittently and it wasn't until they were about 2.5 that I figured out a substitute.  I substituted a stuffed lion for peoples' hair and made it fun by pretending to react for the lion.  I would have prefered a monster with long hair since it wouldn't be pretending to hurt an animal, but that is what I had at the moment.  I would not suggest using a doll that looked human.  Admittedly, I was concerned this might escalate the behavior at first, but I was deserate.  He continued pulling the lions hair for a few weeks, then stopped completely.  Ok maybe not completely, after 6 months he pulled his sister's hair once again just yesterday.  Maybe I will have to find that lion again.  Anyway, I found several other similar examples in the book Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen, none of them were with a 10 month old so I'm not sure how it work for that age.  Good luck!

PS.  I found a website with custom made monster dolls, like an ugly doll, with real human hair.  If you like I can try to find it again. 

My son has been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, and his behavior is catagorized as sensory seeking.  In his case I think the term "disorder" is a misnomer, but it is rather an adaptaion to living in an extreme environment where lots of heavy work was required.  For other people, however, the condition can be much more difficult to live with than it is for my DS.  Once I understood my DS's underlying needs it was very easy to start redirecting him toward more appropriate ways to meet his needs, but we are still struggling with him not eating by himself.     I am mentioning this because several of the behaviors you mentioned your DD has sound a little like my DS, but maybe I'm mistaken I'm not there to see it nor am I an expert on these matters.  If you decide to read into SPD please understand that it is an umbrella term for many different ways the brain can process sensory information.  Here is a checklist that describes some of the behaviors that can manifest with different type of SPD, what they are looking for is a pattern to the behavior.  If you are interested I am happy to share more information and resources on SPD. 

Wow, after reading your question my initial response is why are the teachers complaining rather than helping you problem solve and find a solution?  It sounds like they aren't doing their job!  Clearly your DD's learning needs aren't being met otherwise she would be engaged in the lessons rather than distracting others.  I don't know where you live, but I'm from a very progressive region and if a child has difficulty staying on task in my school district the teachers start discussing different learning strategies with the parents.  If the behavior continues into second grade they start looking into special learning needs and getting a formal diagnosis.  Please don't be alarmed by the idea of "special needs" often times it is simply a matter of a child not wired to fit into a specific cirriculum that mandates that they remain still and quiet for long periods but they adapt quite well once they leave the academic environment and join the real world.  In another environment these traits can be concidered gifts.  For example, she might be the kind of person that can manage well in a cricis situation, where the more mellow child might not manage so well.  I'm curious, where do you live that the school is handling the situation by complaining?
(I have more to discuss here and will reply again later)

I just found this website with reviews of both iPhone and Android apps for children. 
http://www.earlyapps.com/

RM, I guess I should have been more specific, but things have changed quite a bit since the post you are quoting.  I purchased PW Premier, just the game but no videos or bonuses, for less than $75 including shipping.  Now I get the impression that PW is phasing out that option; at least I don't see it on their web site anymore.   But I can still find it on Google Shopping for a little more than I paid almost a year ago.

I would hightly recommend the book "Planting a Rainbow" by Lois Ehlert.  It is a little expensive, but that is because it is "lap-sized" which allows for very large print.  It is also very nice because she labels the flowers so you know what they are.  This was one of our favorite books for a long time, until we got "Frog and Toad."

Try the library.  I just checked the WorldCat listings for inter-library loans and there are currently 13 US libraries, 1 Canadian library and 1 Singapore library that have this DVD available.  There are over 70 thousand libaries that share in this network so chances are your library is one of them; just ask your librarian about it.  Good luck!

My kids really enjoy watching the birds at the birdfeeder.  I found this simple to make log bird feeder that you fill with suet.  Here is another link on how to make suet.

What a great idea Kizudo.  Mine are not interested in the flashcards anymore either so I'm trying out books.  I just made the first one and will see if they are interested after a few days.  So far it is working but maybe it is just the newness.  If it doesn't work out I can always try cutting them up and making a game too.  If it does continue to hold their interest I will be making more books to share.

The book is organized with 4 rhyming words per page (lad, glad, sad, dad.)  My kids are old enough that they are pointing to text (one started at 14 months and the other at 22 months) so I don't think I need to break them down into bits of information as a flash card would do.  Plus by grouping them with similar words it will help the kids see a pattern. 

Thank you TMT, I had only seen balance bikes that cost around $100 and I thought not with twins.  Now this is something we can afford.

MoF, those are so adorable!  I have been thinking of making something similar to go with my kids' Winnie the Pooh playset.