This is a sponsored post.
The toys that we choose to buy for our kids can make a difference in their development. Being presented opportunities to see, play with and experience specific materials will present different challenges, require different skill sets and cover different learning areas. Children can learn from any toy, (or anything they deem to be a toy), but the amount, depth and breadth of the learning depends on the interaction between the child and it, and the type of opportunities the toys provide. Further learning can also occur when the child plays cooperatively with peers or adults.
Educational Toys encourage specific learning areas such as Literacy, Maths, Science, Music etc. and are often more expensive than "regular toys" as (hopefully) more thought has gone into the educational benefits and the usefulness for your child and I find they are more often built to last. This isn't always the case though so it is important when choosing toys for your children that you consider a few points.
Some questions to consider when choosing a toy for your child.
- What areas of learning will this allow my child to experience?
- What different skills will my child need/develop playing with this toy?
- Are there different ways for my child to play and engage with the toy?
- Will the toy grow with them?
- Will the toy last?
- Can the toy be played independently?
- Can the toy be cooperatively played with?
- Does the toy encourage creative thinking?
Thinking about these things first can save you a lot of money because toys nowadays aren't cheap and if they're not going to last and your children aren't going to see many benefits from them and be kept engaged over time, then they are probably just wasting your money. If I round up all the virtually useless toys we've had at our place and their combined price, I shudder to think how that money could have been better spent.
(I actually can't imagine anyone with a background in education not drooling over these toys. All my teacher friends that I've shown have just loved them)
Please note: The first batch of Spielgaben will be available only in Australia. However, keep an eye out as Spielgaben will be available to the US through Amazon later this year and to the UK early next year.
Here is just a small amount of the fun we had with just 3 of the 13 sets. We have only brushed the surface of the potential of this educational play-based learning system.
Helping with my design (in case you're thinking she's a genius haha)
"Can I please keep building instead of reading books tonight?... I know! I could make and tell the story myself!" |
As you can see, we just adore these toys. The potential for learning is huge and the materials themselves are just beautiful. I absolutely love wooden toys for children and these definitely meet my approval with high-quality, 100% certified-sustainable solid timber and toxin-free materials. This is a set that should last a lifetime.
A brief background about Spielgaben. What makes it so special?
- The original inventor of this toy is German educator and founder of Kindergarten, Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852). His methods of learning formed the basis of Kindergarten and Montessori and was played by some of the Western World's Greatest Minds including, Albert Einstein Buckminster Fuller, Frank Lloyd Wright, Paul Klee & Piet Mondrian. (You may have heard of some of them!)
- Frobel's original toys are still available but without proper training it is difficult for parents to get their full potential. This is why they've re-engineered the 19th century version to current day standards and spent a great amount of time working with educators to demystify this great toy's potential and make it easy and accessible for those with no training to use with their children.
What are the benefits?
- Boost Creativity
- Improve thinking skills
- Develop maths and science skills
- Significantly increase children's IQ
- Open ended play with endless possibilities
- Enhance children's natural gifts
- Allow children to develop deep and intuitive understandings of the mathematical and geometric principals
- Grows with the child. Used in different ways over a lifetime
- Encourages interaction and quality time between child and parent
- Includes 4 full-colour curriculum-based user guides in digital format. Over 700 pages to help you get the most from Spielgaben.
- Beautiful wooden set, all in their own wooden storage boxes and kept complete in a wooden cart
How can I own them?
Spielgaben, like most good educational toys is not cheap so you need to look beyond the initial cost and evaluate the value for your family, remembering that these will be played with over a lifetime. I know that if I added up the amount I've spent on Lego and wooden Thomas the Tank Engine sets, both I have spent more money on, which is fine because I know the value and the time that we will get out of those toys.
Early Learning Centres, Kindergartens and Schools should also be having a look at these fabulous learning materials that could be used in different ways over all the age groups.
For a limited time, you have the chance to own the first completed sets of Spielgaben at a greatly reduced price.
In order to listen carefully to first time users and glean valuable feedback, the company is running a crowd funding project to produce the first batch. What this means for your family, centre or school is that you have the chance now to own one at over 30% off. That is a saving of $200 but this offer is limited to the initial backers and once they have gone into production the offer will not be repeated.
To take advantage of this great offer and to see more details, go here.
For even more details, check out the Spielgaben Website.
Please note: Sorry guys, the first batch of Spielgaben will be available only in Australia. However, keep an eye out as Spielgaben will be available to the US through Amazon later this year and to the UK early next year.
Happy Playing,
Debs :)
{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Spielgaben. In lieu of payment I have chosen to receive a new Spielgaben set when they are produced. My children were not happy about us having to return the sample set! As always, all opinions remain my own}
Look where else we are. Are you following along? :)
New Here? Subscribe to get all activities sent directly to you
What absolutely beautiful toys you got to try out! Just looking at your photos, I can see the play value in them...my 5 year old sidekick would love the hanging wood in particular (he spends half his time suspending toys from threads and hanging them down staircases as it is). The pattern blocks are beautiful too - you definitely made the right call on taking a new set when they come out.
ReplyDeleteThe hanging and spinning 3D shapes has my 4 y/o entranced. She just loves them and it's such a delight to watch her playing with them. Thanks, I know.. I just had to have one and my kids really wanted to keep it. :)
DeleteAs a mother and a teacher I can see the huge potential in these toys. Thanks Debs for introducing me to these because I'm interested in them for my little girl. I can see the great value in them and know they would be of incredible benefit to the learning of children. These toys would be loved and passed down through generations.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly Kate. I feel my kids are really blessed to be able to grow up with these materials around them. They really are beautiful and have incredible potential. Thanks for your feedback :)
DeleteAre those attribute blocks? I remember using those when I was teaching, but mine were made out of fun foam (poor college student), these are so much better! They're gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can figure out Ticia, these are a mix between traditional pattern blocks, attribute blocks and tangrams. The difference is that these have multiple shaped/sizes triangles like tangrams, circles like attribute blocks and unlike pattern blocks, squares instead of rectangles in attribute blocks but no hexagons like pattern and attribute blocks. Following? haha. There are also different colours than just the standard primary colours usually found in pattern and attribute blocks and are all the same thickness made from beautiful wood.(Attribute blocks have varying thickness') haha. :D
DeleteI love all of these! I wouldn't have wanted to return the sample set either! ;)
ReplyDeletehaha, only doable as I could promise the kids that we will have our very own set soon! Thanks :D
Deleteoooh how lovely are those mosaic blocks! These look like such beautiful, well made toys!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback Kate. They really are beautifully done. All the wooden storage boxes double as trays for play and keep everything so nicely together. :)
Deleteoh Wow, what absolutely beautiful toys! I can see so much potential in these toys and the mother and teacher in me is very interested!! I love how the pattern blocks have different shapes and shapes with rounded edges, opens up new possibilities.
ReplyDeleteThe circles and semi circles opened up a whole new world to me too, Katey. haha. I kept wanting to leave them out so I'd have no gaps but I was really drawn to try and include them in my patterning. Presents a whole new set of challenged. :)
DeleteI want some of these now. My daughters birthday is coming up shortly and these would have been perfect as a gift. I cant wait till they are available. Looks like your kids had heaps of fun.
ReplyDeleteBec, just as an FYI, if you were serious about wanting a set (even say, for Christmas etc)getting in as an initial backer and saving the $200 is the way to go. I know that once the initial lot is made they won't be offered at that price again. Yes, we did have a lot of fun! :)
DeleteOh, wonderful, wonderful toys! I love all those patterns!
ReplyDeleteSee, I told people they were drool-worthy. haha :D
DeleteWhat a fab, versatile product. Open-ended play at its best.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more Jackie :)
DeleteWhat a perfect product to nurture children's potential through creative play. So many possibilities for open ended play and learning.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Thanks Elise :)
DeleteWOW... Looks amazing! Heading over to the website now. Our boys birthdays are just around the corner. Thanks :) xo P
ReplyDeleteNow's a good time to get it cheaper! I can imagine your kids doing amazing things with it Pauline :)
DeleteAren't these just a fantastic idea Deb! You can see the wonder and learning in those little eyes and the wooden box and quality means they will last for ages I am sure. Would have loved a set of these when I worked in child care centres....and would certainly love to try one out now with the twins! Thanks for sharing this new product with us!
ReplyDeleteI wish every toy in my house was made of quality wood Jode. It's so much nicer to play with :)
DeleteThanks for sharing. www.bigkidsandcheekymonkeys.com
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome :)
DeleteSo, so fantastic Deb. I could use this in many, many ways. I know my three little girls would adore it. I love all the wood in it - I'm a nature girl!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for wooden toys too! You'll be impressed by the methods they are using for sustainability etc as well Penny :)
DeleteThose look so amazing. I'm sad they aren't yet available in the US!
ReplyDeleteThey are only just coming to us here Erica.. and you guys always get everything first! haha. It's our turn lol.
DeleteWow what a wonderful set. They look like so much fun and so versatile too.
ReplyDeleteThat's what makes a great educational toy :)
DeleteWow! As an early childhood teacher and a mum to two tots this amazing set of materials speaks to my heart. I'm off to visit the website now to find out more :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I felt the same way when I first saw them too!
DeleteThis toys are very helpful for children. Their creativity will be increase to play with this toys. This is are safe also.
ReplyDeletewooden building block,building games, building blocks
Wow, they are wonderful, children can use easy with this toys.
ReplyDeleteeducational toys australia
That looks amazing, I love the ramp you made!
ReplyDeleteI want to be a child for play spielgaben...ıt's vey very exciting and educational.I'm primary school teacher and have a 16 months old baby... ı'm writing this comment from Turkey. How can we have this toys?
ReplyDeleteI think there is a competition these toys I hope we win :DD
have a nice and smiling days...
reyhannn_dundar@hotmail.com
Mainly because many scholarships or grants demand people to publish at least one article, it's very significant which the article a person compose echoes towards grant idol judges. Not simply you have fulfill their own distinct standards, and you must also ensure that there are absolutely no spelling or grammatical errors.freelance copyediting
ReplyDeleteYour entire all of education and classroom point are very delighted to me in my view. Which can helps us a lot for our bright education future like global writings.Your classroom methods is really very handy for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you educational toys help in child's development.Very nice post.. Thanks for sharing such informative post with us.. Waiting for your next share..
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the post.As a new born, your baby is generally lying in the same position you keep her in. Her hands, legs, eyes and mouth move. What are the best toys for your baby? It is fascinating to watch her eagerness to explore this new world even though she can’t even turn her body yet. The eyes follow whatever is moving above Best Educational Toys for your baby (0-1 yr)
ReplyDeleteThis was really interesting information in this blog that to very happy for the nice technology in this blog. nerf zombie strike
ReplyDeleteHandling Solutions Products - Here is the link of best Handling Solutions products of Taldeen. Taldeen is one of the best Plastic Manufacturing Company Based in Saudi Arabia-Hail. Visit the below links to know more about products details
ReplyDeleteHandling Solutions
Plastic Pallets
BSc in Optometry – Here is the details about Best BSc Optometry Colleges In Bangalore. If you are looking to study in Bangalore, the below link will redirect to a page that will show the best OPT colleges in Bangalore. If you are looking to study BSc Optometry in Bangalore, click the below link.
Optometry Colleges In Bangalore