Since Active Minds launched operations in 1991, it has successfully established itself as a company recognized for award-winning educational board game development.

The awards and accolades shown here represent the recognition of the high standards held by Active Minds in its product development.

ACCOLADES: People usually have to stick their necks out to earn accolades, and this is as it should be. In tracing accolade back to its Latin origins, we find that it was formed from the prefix ad-, "to, on," and the noun collum, "neck," which may bring the word collar to mind. From these elements came the Vulgar Latin word *accollāre, which was the source of French accolade, "an embrace."

An embrace was originally given to a knight when dubbing him, a fact that accounts for accolade having the technical sense "ceremonial bestowal of knighthood," the sense in which the word is first recorded in English in 1623.

AWARDS: An emblem of merit for a person having achieved something beyond that which is expected, or for a product which has net specific standards to be the recipient of such emblem. Something awarded or granted, as for merit from judging in comparison against another of like nature or design.

PLEASE NOTE: A Seal is an emblem of recognition for having met specific standards set forth by the person, group, or organization which bestows the Seal upon the recipient.

An award is different in that it is an emblem of recognition for merit in having risen above the competion in a comparative evaluation of value and merit.

It is important to realize that seals and awards are not one and the same.  Each has a specific pupose of recognition and value.

"The Toy Man™ Seal of Approval" serves as an emblem of professional recognition for having met the high standards of The Toy Man™ Product Guide for quality, safety, value, and product integrity. In essence, only the products submitted for our evaluation which have what it takes to meet our high standards are approved for induction!

AWARDS - 2008

"The Toy Man™ Editors Choice Award" ( a.k.a. eChoice™ Award ) - The award that serves as an emblem of recognition for products which contribute substantially to positive skill growth and productivity. This productivity is measured in the value of potential cognitive/critical skill growth and/or overall level of improvement in an individual or group from the use of a product or service.

"Creative Child Magazine - Preferred Choice Award" Creative Child Magazine's Toy Awards Program uses an evaluation process where products submitted are reviewed by moms, music educators and early education professionals.