Many Hands Media

MHM History
Launched in 1996 by Janice Hamilton, founding president of JMH Education, Many Hands Media was created to address a pressing need for high quality multicultural education materials for young children and their families. Knowing that food was something all children could identify with, Hamilton recognized it as an ideal means of introducing multicultural messages. And, with childhood obesity on the rise, Hamilton also realized that Many Hands Media could simultaneously address healthy weight and nutrition issues.

“It is shocking that more than 10% of children ages 2 to 5 are overweight — and that these children will likely face dramatically increased rates of orthopedic problems, liver disease, asthma and diabetes as a result.

I believe that education is the quickest way to affect change — and that while educating, we can create inclusive classrooms that value the culture and background of every student.

That is what Many Hands Media is about.”

– Janice Hamilton
Founder, Many Hands Media

MHM's Unique Approach
As informative as they are engaging, MHM educational materials provide a wealth of practical information that you can begin using in your classroom right away. And, the activities and materials fit easily into your existing teaching plans, supplementing and enriching your current lessons.

Each kit uses nutrition or physical activity as a springboard into a colorful, multicultural world where children and their parents learn the benefits of healthy lifestyles and the importance of appreciating diversity — all while teaching children important life and learning skills.

		All learning kits include comprehensive teacher guides and engaging activities that will allow you to benefit from each kits’ components, promoting creativity and flexibility that will work in your classroom. What sets Many Hands Media’s materials apart? The engaging, colorful components! “Our developmentally appropriate programs speak directly to children in ways that engage their spirit of creativity,” Hamilton explains. “And, at the same time, teachers tell us they love the materials because of their messages . . . and because they fit so easily into existing lesson plans. It’s a joy to see children respond to our materials and to know that they are learning lessons that will last a lifetime.”
	TESTIMONIALS About MHM Nutrition: “This is the best multicultural program I’ve seen.” – P. Rickert, Educational Coordinator, WI “Although my class had a lot of prior knowledge about food, they were really excited by the program. I definitely plan to use it for my multicultural unit.” – D. Schwary, 1st Grade Teacher, IL

		Sparkle and Shine was created to address the critical need for effective school readiness materials focusing on social and emotional skills so necessary for success in school and life. These materials provide a fun and effective way for teachers to embed practical life skills through literacy, music, movement and activities. In this fast and stressful world of children today, it is vitally important that we equip them to be resilient and confident as they meet the challenge of school and life. Llynda Fogle, the creator of the Sparkle and Shine materials, has responded to this need with an integrated program that invites and involves children through upbeat songs, and stories that reflect real life situations. Sparkle the Firefly and her animal friends at Pondering Pond mirror the daily experiences and challenges of children through their own experiences as they learn to do their best and get along with others. As one four year old said, “I can do the right, bright, thing!” Sparkle and Shine materials enable educators and caregivers to nurture social and emotional development in children in a fun but structured way that lays the foundation for success for children for the rest of their lives.

		TESTIMONIALS About Sparkle and Shine Readiness: “An important lesson to draw from the entire literature on successful early interventions is that it is the social skills and motivation of the child that are more easily altered-not IQ. These social and emotional skills affect performance in school and in the workplace. We too often have a bias toward believing that only cognitive skills are of fundamental importance of success in life.” – Dr. James J. Heckman of the University of Chicago “We’ve turned our whole classroom into Pondering Pond. It’s a place where everyone is loved and everyone belongs.” – Preschool Teacher