Today I get to share an online educational toy store with you. When Hazel was young, I loved getting educational toys for her and especially loved when they were made from natural materials. Today I get to share with you my experience and a toy from Alphabet Trains and Toys. I was approached to review a toy and share my experience with you.
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Who Is Alphabet Trains & Toys?
Alphabet-trains.com is an online toy retailer that is based in the San Francisco Bay area and has been operating since 2004. They strive to provide high quality, educational toys to the public. They strive to only sell brands and products that use high quality and sustainable materials. They sell brands like Maple Landmark, Melissa & Doug, I See Me, as well as their own line of personalized products like step stools, puzzles and more. They provide free shipping within the United States and have a price match guarantee. They also have a large selection of Montessori toys. (Source)
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My Experience:
I was given the choice of a product in the categories Montessori toys, personalized storybooks, or name trains. Since I have reviewed several of the I See Me Personalized Books already and Hazel is too old for them, I decided to pass on those. They are amazing but we have many of them. I love the name trains, but again Hazel is too old for her train set. I considered getting one for Steven but didn't think he would really care either way. That left me with the Montessori toys. There are many choices in the Montessori toys including the Melissa & Doug toys. I have reviewed and owned many Melissa & Doug toys previously as well, so I moved on with the list. The Montessori toys are intended for younger children so I looked for one that had a bit of math relation and I thought would work well in the younger grades at my school. I picked the Motor Shapes Sequencing Board from TAG Toys.
Now this toy is recommended for ages 3 to 6. I love it because it involves shapes and has so many ways kids can learn the shapes. It is also a preview to writing. When I showed it to Hazel (now 15) and told her I was going to donate it to the kindergarten classroom at school she told me I should keep it in my classroom because high schoolers will love it. Her friend who I am working with this summer agreed as well. Apparently, the high school students love it more as a fidget toy or a mental break.
The above sheet was included with the board. It explains some of the benefits of this toy with pre-writers.
Little children will grab the grommet like Hazel does above. It is similar to holding a pencil and using the same hand muscles they will need to develop. Hazel and her friend both found it fun to move the grommets around the shapes. As a geometry teacher I love that kids will be learning shapes. I hope an adult will share the names of each shape. Games could be made with the names asking kids to move the square's grommet or the hexagon's. The more often younger kids use the board the more their hands will get ready for writing. Such a great toy.
Whether you are a teacher or a parent I hope you will check out Alphabet Trains and Toys. There are so many great choices and such great service!! Plus, there is free shipping in the United States! They focus on Montessori toys but they also work for Waldorf schools.
