About Lizard
Lizard the Word Wizard encourages READING, CREATIVITY, AND LEARNING THROUGH PLAY while boosting self-esteem.
Children have a desire to play, Play is can be purposeless or serious and self-motivating. Through repetition, children can obtain mastery. They can develop fine and gross motor muscle coordination as well as eye/hand coordination. They can also develop the sharing of ideas and problem solving. They can build creativity.
Remember: Each child is an individual and not all children behave alike. Some children reach the various stages of development at a customary time, while others may experience them earlier, or later.
Your child may exhibit some, all, or none of the behaviours that appear in play.
BACKGROUND
Learning Through Play Boxes
Our Learning Through Play subscription boxes are available for two age groups: Salamander (Ages 2-3) and Gecko (Ages 4-5).
Salamander
Early onset of this age range sees children in independent play, when your child plays alone.
As the children age, they engage in parallel play; this is when two or more children are in the same room but play side by side in their own worlds. Despite having little social contact between playmates, children actually learn quite a bit from one another, like taking turns and other social niceties. They often mimic each other’s behaviour. This type of play is viewed as an important bridge to the later stages of play.
Gecko
Associative Play develops and advances throughout this age range. It also features children playing separately from one another, but in this mode of play they are involved with what the others are doing and engaging with each other. Cooperative Play is where all stages come together and children truly starts playing together. This sets the stage for future interactions as your child matures into an adult.
* Only Available in Canada *


Children with Disabilities
*play is important for all children
*love, encouragement, and support is needed by all children
*Upon request, LIZARD THE WORD WIZARD welcomes the opportunity to fulfill the needs of all children

Sensory Play
*encourages creativity and innovation through play
*encourages problem solving
*increases brain development
*provides sensory input
*language development
*regulates emotions and behaviour
*better retention
*improves fine motor skills
*sparks an interest in learning
*fun

LGBQ+
*LIZARD THE WORD WIZARD understands all children
*gender-neutral books are available upon request
BACKGROUND
About Sandi

Hello, I’m Sandi Illsley, the creator and distributor of the Lizard the Word Wizard Learning through Play subscription boxes. I hail from Edmonton, AB, Canada, where I live with my two handsome cats, Berlioz and Oreo.
I am excited about exploring this journey with you and your child.
I have worked with children with and without special needs for over 35 years, which included being a level 3 preschool teacher.
My Education:
Early Childhood Development Dipoloma
Rehabilitation Practitioner Certificate
Creative Writing Certificate
The Writer's Studio Certificate
Some of my other interests are reading, writing, playing piano, listening to music, singing, arts & crafts, card-making, and quilting.
Our subscription boxes
To buy a single box, or start a 1-year subscription, please fill out the order form for the box you're interested in. I'll get back to you shortly to discuss details and arrange payment.
Contact Sandi
As I am passionate about learning, I am available to assist by email. Please send questions to
contact@lizardthewordwizard.com
or use the form below.