One of the key things that I have learned about effective learning methods since Darah started at a Montessori school is the importance of being able to move away from learning in the abstract. For example, when it comes to learning shapes, simply studying flash cards of circles, triangles and squares is not sufficient for a mind to fully grasp and commit a shape to memory. The shapes need to be understood in the context of every day life.
That’s one of the reasons that I’m really enjoying a game available at Learning Resources called Shape Sorting Presents. This game comes with 6 boxes, each a different shape, and 90 cards with everyday objects that represent one of the 6 shapes. Each box has a slot at the top so that children can drop the cards into them.
Darah really enjoys sorting objects right now, so this game is perfect for her. I would have told you before we got this game that she had already mastered her shapes, and that is true in their abstract form, but now that we are looking at every day objects and thinking about their shapes, I see that we have more work to do. I’m so glad we have this game, because it is helping her think about objects and shapes in a different way than she had before, and I know that by doing this, she is starting to truly understand what makes a shape (straight lines or not, even sides or not, etc.). She can also see shapes now even when the object isn’t 100% like a shape drawing (a throw pillow with fringe, for example, is still in a square shape).
As Darah masters these skills a bit more, we’ll still be able to use this game to do things like go on shape hunts in the house and find objects that match with the cards.
I recommend Shape Sorting Presents as an excellent resource for your home or for a pre-k or kindergarten classroom! Since there are 6 boxes, more than 1 child can play at once. This retails for $32.99 and can be purchased at Learning Resources online.
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win Shape Sorting Presents from Learning Resources.
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Sarah Yurga says
Smart Snacks® Count ’em Up Popcorn
mike b says
i like the new sprouts
ReggieMann says
I would like to own the Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set
Sand says
I like the Big Time™ Learning Clock®, 12-Hour Demonstration Clock.
Sand says
I’d like to own the Big Time™ Learning Clock®, 12-Hour Demonstration Clock.
amy deeter says
fix it toolbox
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Lisa L says
I like the cute Smart Snacks Rainbow Color Cones Game
susan smoaks says
i would like the Pretend & Play® Animal Hospital
Lily Kwan says
The Giant Inflatable Insects look very nice!
Shelley P says
The kids would love the Pretend & Play® School Set with U.S. Map.
Saver Sara says
Froggy Feeding Fun
Paula Tavernie says
Id like Froggy Feeding Fun!!
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jeanne conner says
We like the Primary Science Mix & Measure Set
jeannine s says
Froggy Feeding Fun™
Amy B says
I’d love the Alpha Pops
Nina says
I’d love the farmers market sorting set too!
Dana Denay says
Design and Drill Activity Center
Sara says
The cash register
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
Smart Snacks® Gingerbread Shape Sorter
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Hoa Le says
I also like the Super Magnet Lab Kit.
Gianna says
Design & Drill Activity Center.
Cheryl V. says
Love so many things @ Learnig Resources!! Besides the Shape Sorting presents, I would get the Goodie Games ABC Cookie set! 🙂
Caryn S says
Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set
Lisa Hackney says
My daughter would love Froggie Feeding Fun!
kendra W says
The pretend and play ice cream shop looks really fun
Whitney at It's Gravy, Baby! says
Stacking Shapes Peg Board
Nancy says
I like the New Sprouts Cure It! Doctor Set.
Ronalee Duncan says
would love to have the Lacing Numbers
ronaleeduncan{at}aol{dot}com
Christina Seeley says
Snap & Learn # Bugs
Kelly says
I like the my doctor set. My niece would love it!
Harold D says
I like the money jar.
Shelly Sawicki Lash Neuhouser says
Love the fix it toolbox
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Cheryl Reinhardt says
the Froggy Feeding Fun!
brandy says
gator tweezers
katrina says
love the Froggy Feeding Fun™
Kristen says
I’d like the Motorized Solar System.
Beth R says
The alphabet bean bags would be a lot of fun
megan says
this looks like lots of fun!
Marianna says
smart splash letter link crabs
Katy N says
My son would love the Froggy Feeding Fun.
deanna says
like: http://www.learningresources.com/product/alphabet+center+pocket+chart.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&
xoxo
Kerry G. says
My kids would love the Pretend & Play® Ice Cream Shop
Charlene S says
Froggy Feeding Fun looks like a great game.
Alena T says
giant inflatable solar system
Marsella Romero says
i would love the Snap-n-Learn™ Number Bugs
Leah says
candy construction set and the USA foam map puzzle!!
Costana Hornbaker says
Alphabet bean bags. Costana78@gmail.com
Amber L. says
I really like the Let’s Tackle the ABCs
Elizabeth Groves says
Jumbo Dinosaurs is something else from Learning Resources that I think my kids would love
Kristin says
My little ones would love the Gator Grabber Tweezers.
Maria Kiguthi says
I like the Multiplication Master Electronic Flash Card
Monique Rizzo says
I like the letterbox set.Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Adrienne says
I like the smart splash penguins
Mandy says
The cash register, my son would love it!
Kristy Thiel says
I also love the pretend and play cash register!
Jen S says
New Sprouts Fix it! My very own tool set
Jodi Kershuk says
I love the cash register.
Maryann says
Froggy Feeding Fun looks cute
Michelle murphy says
My son would love the jumbo dinosaurs
Donna George says
I like the No Yell Bell
Connie Gruning says
I would love to have New Sprouts™ Munch It! My very own play food
Samyra says
I like the New Sprouts™ Cure it! My very own doctor set most and New Sprouts™ Fix it! My very own tool set is my second eye catcher
Angela P says
The classroom cafe looks fun
Laura Jacobson says
Oh I also love the Smart Snacks® Count ’em Up Popcorn!
renee says
I’d love to have the Primary Science Lab Set.
Lindsey G. says
Love this for my little Doc McStuffins super fan – http://www.learningresources.com/product/new+sprouts-trade-+cure+it!+my+very+own+doctor+set.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&
susan says
We would also love the New Sprouts™ Serve it! My very own dish set.
Candice Hull says
I like the New Sprouts Fix It tool set
thank you
Colleen Maurina says
I would also like to have their Smart Splash Shape Shell Turtles.
Kimberly Schotz says
Jumbo Endangered Animals
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Vickie Couturier says
Letter Box Activity Set
Jennifer Winchester says
i love the doctor set
Sarah S says
I like the mecorder.
Paula Lee says
Gears! Gears! Gears!® Movin’ Monkeys.
Teh Doll says
New Sprouts™ Fix it! My very own tool set my son would love this!
Sunnie says
The mecorder is cute.
Cynthia C says
I think my nephew would like the
Cash Bash® Electronic Flash Card™
Katie L says
smart snacks count um up popcorn
Samorjj says
The Interlocking Base Ten: Class Set would be awesome.
fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) says
Pretend & Play® Calculator Cash Register
Nicole L. says
I really like the sentence buildings.
stony says
I like the snap-n-Learn™ Number Bugs, it’s cute and interactive
Janet W. says
One of my favorites is the Attribute Apples .
jen says
love it!!
jen says
Doctor set is super cool!! i think i need one of those too 🙂
maria says
love the doctor set!
Jessica says
New Sprouts™ Cure it! My very own doctor set. It reminds me of something I had when I was little.