Manipulatives for Little Fingers: Bears & Blocks

Recommended for: Age 2 & Up (18 months if closely supervised to prevent choking)
Cost: Bears-under $10; Blocks-around $20

These are two of my favorite toys to use with little ones. They offer so many options and really help children with fine motor skill development and cognitive development. I do not recommend these with children younger than 18 months and only at 18 months with very close supervision. The blocks are fairly large but the bears might present more of an issue so beware. I have found many different uses for these including sorting, stacking, colors, counting, patterning and language stimulation to name a few. This is an essential tool for any educator or parent to have as children love to build and knock down towers and to make a mess by dumping them on the floor (and then making mom clean them up).

Activities to Focus On:
In & Out: Empty the cup
Dump & Fill: Dump the blue cup
Counting: How many yellow blocks do we have?
Sorting: Give me the red blocks
Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple
Patterning: Red, Blue, Red...what comes next
Stacking: Build a tower for me...how high can you make it?

This is just a sample of the activities that these manipulatives offer to young children. Make up games or songs to help your child learn. I definitely think these toys are a great way to build your child's skill development.

Next time I'm going to review a great toy for our youngest learners. I'm such an advocate for this and hope to encourage each parent and teacher out there to push for all parents and caregivers to make this an essential part to their day.

Thanks! And until next time, Happy Playing!
~Amy

DISCLAIMER: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Puzzles for Little Ones

Puzzles are a great way to help your child learn important skills like fine motor development, object permanence, animal names/sounds, shapes, colors and just about anything.






Recommended for: 6 months & Up
The puzzles above are great starter puzzles. They are simple in that there are only 3 pieces to place and the handle makes it easy for little hands to grasp and place (or try to).






Recommended for: 18 months & Up
These are what I would call Step 2 Puzzles. After children master the large peg puzzles, the next step is to offer chunky puzzles or puzzles that have specific places but can be a little more challenging. These are great to further promote fine motor skill development but puzzles like the ABC Puzzle help with early literacy skills.






Recommended for: 24 months & Up (or significant fine motor skill development)
These are what I would call Step 3 puzzles. These are the hardest for children to master because they have to use their pincer grasp to pick up and place the pieces.

These puzzles retail for around $20 each but you can find others or even the same at a lower cost...just need to do your research first.

Activities to Focus On:
In & Out
Colors
Shapes
Alphabet
Animals & Sounds
Vehicles
etc.

These are just a few samples and use your judgement as to what puzzle is best for your child. I also enjoy the 3D puzzles (putting a strawberry together) or puzzle blocks that make sounds because it helps them learn what goes together.

Next time I'm going to look at something I absolutely love to introduce to children to help build cognitive skills. Please leave me your thoughts and any suggestions for future reviews.

Thanks! And until next time, Happy Playing!
~Amy

DISCLAIMER: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Simple and Advanced Shape Sorter

Recommended for: 6 months & Up
Cost: around $20

Shape sorters are great tools to use with young learners and older learners. They offer children the chance to learn cause-and-effect principles and help build cognitive skills.

The simple 3-piece version is great if your child struggles with fine motor issues and also helps with identifying primary colors, 3 shapes (square, triangle and circle) and simple counting. The more advanced toy also helps those with fine motor issues because the child can grasp the item and hold it while trying to place in correct shape slot. I know the sounds it makes when you take them out is fun for little ones as well.

The 5-piece sorter offers more advanced counting (1-5), shapes (adding star and heart) and 5 colors. Many children may need hand-over-hand assistance to make the shapes fit so language that is simple is best: "Make it fit". I've also found it helpful to block off the incorrect slots with your hands so that the choice is easier and they do not get frustrated that the shape does not go in the correct tube.

Early Learning Activities (6-18 months):
In & Out concept: Shape IN, Shape OUT
Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green (3-piece version);
Shapes: Square, Triangle, Circle
Counting: 1-3

Activities for Over 18 Months:
In & Out concept: Shapes In, Shapes Out
Colors:Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Orange and Purple (5-piece)
Shapes: Square, Triangle, Circle, Star, Heart
Counting: 1-5
Open-ended: Where does the Square go? Which shape has the duck on top? Which shape is purple? Can I have the yellow square?

These are a few examples of how to stimulate language and grow cognitive skills with a shape sorter. I love using the various different ones to help my students learn. It's fun and each time you use it, you can use it differently so they don't get bored with the same toys.

Stay tuned for the next review. I will be looking at puzzles and which ones are appropriate for which ages and when to introduce them. Let me know what you think and please answer the pool at the bottom.

Thanks! And until next time, Happy Playing!
~Amy

DISCLAIMER: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.