“Make playtime count with Rooke + Reese”
Sun.Star Davao, April 27, 2019
Just like any hands-on mom, Peony Frevi Yu-Haw, would lovingly go the extra mile to ensure that her children not only enjoy but also learn from their toys.
“With my firstborn, I couldn’t find any good educational toys in Davao at that time. I was looking for puzzles for him and did find some online, but they were very expensive. I wanted to buy more because he seemed to like them. So, I did my research and looked for puzzles that had good quality but won’t hurt our budget”, says Peony, a former registered nurse in Australia.
She eventually discovered that her desire for reasonably-priced educational toys was also shared by other young parents. This resulted in her launching the Rooke + Reese online store with puzzles as its first products.
Advocating less screen time
Recently, upon the prodding of her supportive entrepreneur-husband Wesley Ian Haw, Rooke + Reese opened its physical store at Wheels N’ More Drive along J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City.
Peony gushes that it was Wesley who patiently “DIY-ed” the shop. “The shelves were all his ideas. I just chose the colors and that was it”, she smiles.
Wesley can conveniently look after the store, too, when Peony is not around since he is one of the owners of Podium Multisport next door.
“Rooke + Reese is mainly an educational toy store for kids—toddlers, preschoolers, and grade schoolers but we also have some basic products like OXO Tot Feeding Essentials, Yumbox Bento Lunchbox, Saltwater Sandals, Halo Swaddles, NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator, and Little Leuvy Hair accessories, to name a few”, explains Peony.
“We are advocating less screen time, thus the hashtag #makeplaytimecount. As children play, they also develop skills related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). With STEAM toys, it helps children to focus and engage in experimental learning. It encourages them to persist in problem-solving and develop their creativity. Children are learning while they are playing”, emphasizes the busy mom.
Peony’s top 5 picks
Because every product that Rooke + Reese sells was meticulously handpicked by Peony, it was hard to choose her favorites from the store. “I personally like all our products!”, she giggles. Nevertheless, being the good sport that she is, Peony narrowed down her choices and shared her top 5 must-buy picks from her shop:
1. Usborne Books – “We love these books. They are so informative and easy to read and remember.”
2. Tangram and Jigsaw Puzzles – “Anything that would stimulate the kids’ cognitive development and mathematical skills, I would recommend!”
3. Joan Miro Art Kits – “These are ready-to-do kits. So easy to present to the kids for last- minute activities or if you run out of activity ideas.”
4. Dinosaur Fossil Excavation Kits – “Roleplaying lets children act out real-life roles. We find this toy really cool! Even adults enjoyed playing with this.”
5. Jenga Farm – “It’s interesting because it’s slightly different from the usual Jenga. Stacking the logs already develops fine motor skills in kids.”
This May 4, 2019, Rooke + Reese will have its first ever workshop through a blooming collaboration with Fleurs du Jour, Davao's premier flower bouquet provider. Kids (ages 4 and up) will learn how to make one basic bouquet and one flower in a box. This is a tribute to all the moms as a pre-Mothers’ Day special. To register, drop by Rooke + Reese or DM Rooke + Reese. Limited slots only.
To know more about Rooke + Reese, follow them on Instagram @rooke.reese and their Facebook page Rooke + Reese. Contact them at +639452995046.
E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.
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