The WonderMind multi-sensory learning system, Japan’s number one child development product, has made its debut in America alongside Benesse America Inc., the new American branch of Benesse Corporation, a global leader in correspondence education and publishing and parent company of educational giants Berlitz Language Schools and ELS Language Centers.

Since debuting in Japan in 1988, WonderMind is used today by one out of every five kids in Japan, making it the country’s number one educational product for preschoolers. Now, American kids can enjoy the benefits of Japan’s educational success with fun learning at home or on the go with the new WonderMind Summer Adventure series.

A complete five-piece interactive learning system designed with the help of experts in child development, WonderMind’s Summer Adventure is available as two separate kits for toddlers ages 1 to 2 and kids 4 to 5 years old. This special edition—carefully selected from the best of more than two decades of WonderMind’s most successful and effective products, and released in America following a year and a half of extensive research—is available only for the summer, and is ideal for getting children more school-ready every day.

“The first five years of a child’s life set the stage for how they blossom as learners,” says Yuka Fujiwara, Benesse America’s senior manager of product development. “Much of their intellect, personality and skills are permanently shaped after this period of extraordinary growth, and WonderMind was made to be the perfect system for hands-on learning during this unique time.”

Known as “Kodomo (Children) Challenge” in Japan, WonderMind works according to the developmental stage and interests of the child within those first five years, engaging the senses and enriching the parent-child learning experience through age-appropriate books, educational toys and DVDs. Outside of Japan, WonderMind’s comprehensive subscription-based education system continues to provide nourishing content essential for a child’s growth and development in China, South Korea and Taiwan.

Since children learn best by seeing, touching and doing, the WonderMind multi-sensory learning system separates itself from other learning programs by stimulating all five senses. Tick-Tock’s Talking Toy Clock, included in the Kids 4-5 Summer Adventure kit, is a perfect example of this, as this special educational toy provides audio encouragement to children for not only telling time, but also for using the custom interactive timer to better understand the abstract nature of time itself. In addition, Tick-Tock’s concepts are further illustrated in the DVD, workbook, picture book and parents guide included in the package, putting it all together so your preschooler can successfully grasp this lifelong concept well before school begins.

In the Toddlers 1-2 kit, the main theme of colors and shapes are introduced through the educational materials along with WoderMind’s exclusive stickers and Colorshape Blocks, which can be made into dozens of things using your imagination. Also included in the 1-2 kit is a very special tiger puppet named Teegy. Known as Shimajiro in Japan, Teegy is the official mascot of WonderMind and is recognized by children and parents throughout the country. Using the character Teegy for interactive play and pretend activities, parents can make a strong relationship by getting involved with their children, as Teegy himself “grows up” with the child over the course of WonderMind, mirroring the child’s own development and becoming more like a true friend in the process.

“While mothers these days are overwhelmingly busy, learning starts at home with parents,” says Ms. Fujiwara. “In just 20 minutes a day, parents who use WonderMind can deepen ties with their children through effective play, and the parenting guides we include in each kit provide tips to moms and dads that enhance their understanding and roles as parents.”

Since its release in mid-June, WonderMind has received high praise from mommy bloggers attending special events hosted in New York City, and has received glowing praise on sites like Primetime Parent, ToyQueen and So Family Online.

With its high standard of providing an outstanding educational experience outside of school for young children and their parents, WonderMind is proud to present the very best of Japan’s educational methods, which inspire a curiosity in little ones to ask “What’s that?” 100 times instead of memorizing 50 words. For families across America. It’s Teegy time!

WonderMind’s Summer Adventure kits are available now for $29.99 each, with free shipping for the summer. For more information or to order by phone, call the WonderMind Information Center at 1-855-88-TEEGY (1-855-888-3349) or visit WonderMind’s homepage at www.wondermindkids.com

Follow WonderMind on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WondermindKids and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WonderMindKids.

Benesse America Inc. was established in February 2012 as a holding company of Benesse Corporation, which was established in January 1955 and promotes “well-being” in lifestyle-related businesses throughout the world. For more information, visit www.benesse.co.jp/english.