Pressman Toy Aids Teachers and Students Across America, Offering a Fun Way to Foster Skill Development with Help from a Classic Game

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when parents and teachers across America are looking for affordable ways to enrich classroom learning, Pressman Toy has "dusted off" a classic game to teach 21^st century students that learning can be fun.  As part of a larger 2012 MASTERMIND education initiative, Pressman Toy recently announced that teachers and homeschoolers could sign up on their website (www.MASTERMIND-education.com) to receive one of 10,000 free MASTERMIND board games for their classroom or home.  In less than one week's time, more than 10,000 educators registered for a MASTERMIND game.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121112/NY10772 )

"We were just blown away by the response to the MASTERMIND game offering," said Norm Goldstein, CEO & founder, By Kids For Kids Co., who administered the program on behalf of Pressman Toy.  "We've been working with schools across America for the last 10 years, and never have we seen such a tremendous response to a promotion from the education community."

"The MASTERMIND giveaway is our way to show our appreciation for all the hard work educators do for children," said Jim Pressman, president of Pressman Toy.  "We hope that our MASTERMIND board game gets students excited about learning math, logic, reasoning, and deduction as they make and break codes." Pressman Toy, a family-owned company, has delighted families for 90 years with its extensive line of licensed, original and classic games.

Many teachers across the country certainly agreed. Here is what a few had to say:

"We teach a great deal of critical thinking skills and MASTERMIND is the perfect tool!"
- Mr. Dobkin, Lantana, FL

"I played [MASTERMIND] many years ago, and it's an excellent tool to teach logic, probability and mental organization."
- Mr. Waack, Orchard Park, NY

"Having fun, creative, educational, challenging games in my classroom is always a bonus!"
-Ms. White, Washington Boro, PA

MASTERMIND is a two-player game that puts the Codemaker against the Codebreaker.  The Codemaker secretly places any four Code Pegs in the shielded code area. The Codebreaker puts down a line of color pegs and tries to uncover the secret code.  This thought-provoking game fosters development of important skills, including logic, reasoning, deduction, patience and visual perception.   

Along with the MASTERMIND giveaway, Pressman Toy is also hosting the First Annual MASTERMIND Braintwister Challenge. From now until December 31, 2012 kids ages 7 through 12 can enter their own braintwisters in categories such as puzzles, word problems, riddles and games with solutions. Two first-place winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to attend the celebration event.  Each of the two first-place winners will also have the opportunity to nominate their most inspirational instructor to receive a $250 award each.  Three other students will have the opportunity to win $100 each.  For more information about the MASTERMIND Braintwister Challenge visit www.MASTERMIND-education.com.

For anyone who already owns the classic MASTERMIND board game, Pressman toy has created educational activities, including an interactive white board activity, that can be downloaded free of charge at www.MASTERMIND-education.com/educators.

MASTERMIND is one of a series of fun and educational board games from Pressman Toy. Other games include SMATH ^™, Make 7^™, Rummikub®, Tri-Ominos® and early learning games, such as The Best of Charades for Kids, Silly Socks and Shopping Cart Dash.  For more information about Pressman Toy and its games for preschoolers through adults, visit www.PressmanToy.com.

Pressman Toy games, including MASTERMIND, are available for purchase at Toys"R"Us, Barnes & Noble, and Marbles stores nationwide, as well as online at Amazon.com, Target.com, PressmanToy.com and other e-tailers.

About Pressman Toy Corporation

Pressman Toy Corporation, the third largest game manufacturer in the United States, was founded in 1922. The company has released many strong brands that consumers have enjoyed for generations, such as Rummikub, MASTERMIND and Tri-Ominos. One of the first companies in the industry to begin licensing popular characters and content for toys and games, Pressman Toy has created games and puzzles based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Smurfs, Curious George, Hello Kitty, and Scooby-Doo! as well as popular games shows Deal or No Deal, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. 

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SOURCE Pressman Toy Corporation