Best early childhood education materials according to redditors
We found 97 Reddit comments discussing the best early childhood education materials. We ranked the 52 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 97 Reddit comments discussing the best early childhood education materials. We ranked the 52 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Squiggle Wiggle Writer, Multicolor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035477YK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TtlYCbWXR36WW
Got one of these pens for Christmas and everything changed.
https://www.amazon.com/skills-Development-Occupational-Therapy-Ostrich/dp/B071XV9T11
>motorized pen
I thought it was going to be one of these totally not dildos.
Here you go!
I'm talking about a basic fisher-price level elementary school globe, here: https://www.amazon.com/Explorer-World-Globe-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00000J6JX
It's not dildo shaped. It's broom shaped. Do we need to ban young girls from playing with cylyndrical objects?
Should young girls not be able to use electric toothbrushes or squiggle writers because they are oblong and vibrate? Because people definitely use those things to masturbate. But like that broom, they're innocent items and not fucking sex toys.
Who cares if a kid uses something for a different purpose than intended? If we're going to get outraged over innocent items that kids (male or female) can masturbate with, buckle up because the list is long and we'll be here for a while.
Step 1 - buy a world globe
Step 2 - look at it everyday
Step 3 - resist the temptation to travel to a new place everyday
Learning Resources Wooden Pattern Blocks, Set of 250 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F8T8U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7eqFAb5YQWFGQ these aren’t plastic but look similar to what you described.
http://www.amazon.com/School-Smart-Wooden-Pattern-Blocks/dp/B003U6P4OS
You're welcome.
Also anyone who wants these: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Wooden-Pattern-Blocks/dp/B000F8T8U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504426368&sr=8-1&keywords=wooden+Tangrams
Squiggle Wiggle. The vibrating pen. There's zero way this isn't a vibrator for girls too young to secure a PO box. At least in my experience ...
Was it "Zap!" ?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0007XWBBQ?pc_redir=1407413975&robot_redir=1
If you want a quick, inexpensive base, get one of these "6 [subject] games" in each subject. About $20 - but there really are six games in each.
6 comprehension games
https://www.amazon.com/Junior-Learning-6-Comprehension-Games/dp/B015SIDP8C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=6+comprehension+games&qid=1565910375&s=gateway&sr=8-1
6 speaking games
https://www.amazon.com/Junior-Learning-6-Speaking-Games/dp/B015SIDPZA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=6+speaking+games&qid=1565910417&s=gateway&sr=8-1
They've got them for grammar, phonics, reading, phonological awareness, vowel, letter sounds (I know these seem redundant but they have different types of games) - they're nice because they're pretty flexible and have lots of different things.
I also like the dominos from the same company.
Feelings ($15)
https://www.amazon.com/Junior-Learning-Emotions-Dominoes-Educational/dp/B077BZ1Z8V/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?keywords=emotions+dominos&qid=1565910453&s=gateway&sr=8-12
Random tiny and inexpensive but super handy games:
Scrabble Slam $7
https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-B0967-Scrabble-Slam-Card/dp/B00NQQTZ74/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=Scrabble+Slam&qid=1565910589&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Learning Resources Popcorn Games $8
(They have a lot for many different components of reading, I'm linking to letters)
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Pop-Letters-Game/dp/B004DJ52N4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=popcorn+letters&qid=1565910692&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Alphabet flip $8
(Flexible, use for basic vocab, describing, letter recognition, and phonics)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07HF89YBC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Also, go to Target's dollar spot ASAP and snap up their inexpensive materials. Hit up your local Dollar tree for flashcards, games, reinforcers, and more. And go to yard sales! You will find a lot of random things, but you can pretty consistently score books for super low prices, and as you know you can use books to teach pretty much anything.
Also there are free resources out there with pre made things you can just print.
Free behavior management and AAC
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ese-Aac
A treasure trove of what is at least hundreds of evidence based worksheets and game ideas for anything to do with reading - phonics, phonological awareness, fluency, and comprehension (which is also good just for teaching regular old vocab)
http://fcrr.org/resources/resources_sca.html
This will be a big year of learning for you. Definitely ask us questions when you have them! Even if you don't have a Facebook, I would get one (just use your initials if you're worried about privacy and don't post anything) just to lurk in the many SLP related groups on there. Reddit is lovely, but what Facebook has that we don't here is sheer quantity of SLP users. That means there are groups for SLPs about AAC, schools, dysphagia, you name it, it's there.
I learned a RIDICULOUS amount from Facebook my CF year. Frankly, speaking as another contract SLP for my CF (with a technical mentor who actually worked in a different school, in a different county, and saw me the requisite number of hours but no more), I genuinely learned more from these groups than I did from my mentor. I would see common themes, like core vocabulary, LAMP, motor planning in general, core boards with flip fringe, PODD, etc (my caseload that year was basically almost all AAC - it was AWESOME but a lot of learning!) and I would rush to look them up and learn more. I learned more from all that than I have in all my CEUs since (I'm in my 4th year of practice). Way way way helpful, highly recommend.
Yep! Mine was orange. I can't believe they still make it.
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Wooden-Pattern-Blocks/dp/B000F8T8U0/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1464739629&sr=1-4&keywords=pattern+blocks
Maybe some of these wood pattern blocks. You could add some light spray paint that doesn't completely cover the color to make them look worn. And with 250 pieces, imagine dumping a pile on the table as you describe the loot!
Amazon
Learning Resources Wooden Pattern Blocks, Set of 250 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F8T8U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dtRFAbAV0EEQ3
As a matter of fact, I did! How did you know?!
To match message with medium, I was expecting it to be written with one of the vibrating pens that were popular in the mid to late 90s. They had a small ball point pen cartridge in the bottom and the top was an oversized weighted spinner top.
For nostalgia: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035477YK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hph8Bb1TAAEXW
Thinking Science - Zap? Sorry I can't find a better link, I'm on my cell.
Anyways, I remember the light section focused on lasers mirroes and color filters. The electricity section had you making circuits that allowd you to power fans and lights and stuff, plus you could "see" the electricity flowing through the wires.
I want to day that you were "hatching" animals in the sounf section, but that is the section that I have the least recollection of.
Hope this helps.
Edit: I'm so excited tgat some one else might know this game that I continued searching and found some images
Light
Sound
Energy
When I first started my hands would hurt like crazy if I crocheted for more than an hour or two. I figured out that my problem was that I was keeping an iron grip on the hook. I added these with these on top of them and that's helped a lot. There's also a big ball-type grippy thing that you could get. I hope you find something that helps.
An alternative to plexiglass...
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Write-Wipe-Pockets/dp/B004DJ35X8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417647960&sr=8-1&keywords=dry+erase+covers
Zap will still forever be in my heart as the game that got me interested in Electrical Engineering. At least, I think it was called zap, I sadly can't find it via google or youtube or anything, which isn't too uprising considering I played it many years ago (2001ish?)
Edit: Found it! http://www.amazon.com/Edmark-llthisczaj-Thinkin-Science-ZAP/dp/B0007XWBBQ
Good news, everyone!
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000F8T8U0?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd
Maybe something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075JD4JVP/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1511096200&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=finger+pen&dpPl=1&dpID=41F1ti0xRFL&ref=plSrch
I was going to suggest this! Now is a good time to look for them with back to school and all.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001H817O2/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?qid=1408995678&sr=8-13&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Closest I could find to what I remembered. It also looks the same as this picture. Definitely going on my wish list.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000F8T8U0/ref=psdcmw_12900351_t1_B00S2XPLVA
They are several programs and apps that can help with spelling. I didn't have the luxury of using them but I am sure someone here can suggest some.
I learned how to write in cursive and how to use a calligraphy pen. It helped me write neater and kept me from writting down the page. It takes some time and practice and isn't for everyone.
You already mentioned overlays. I use these to help keep me from dropping or skipping lines when I read.
Color printer paper if you need to print something out for him to read. My color is goldenrod.
Another thing you may want to look at in the future is a text to speech app. I use dragon but it cost alot and they are some free or less expensive out there. This is because he could hear or see a word many times but not correlate it as the same word.
The last thing is a calendar and a note pad. Even though people know we have reading problems, we also have problems with memory. Having someway of keeping track when something is going to happen or due helps alot. He can use the note pad to just write down anything he needed to remember like meeting with friends or doing homework. Teach him this early and it will become 2nd nature.
Well, now you've inspired me to practice my tattoo skills:
https://www.amazon.com/Hart-Squiggle-Wiggle-Writer-Multicolor/dp/B0035477YK
Science Gifts
Glow n’ Grow TerrariumCrystal Growing LabSolar System Model KitMagic Science KitShopkins
Dress Up
3 Pair Dress Up ShoesSofia the First DressSheriff Callie Dress Up SetThis is the set I sold for $40. Some bastard now has them on there for $90 something.
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Base-Ten-Number-Concepts/dp/1564514498/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408073335&sr=8-1&keywords=base+10+concepts
I know! I had no idea that would sell. People will pay big money for the children though.
As a follow-up. The theory of different colors for reading has pretty much been debunked, but he may be able to focus better on different colors. Here is a pack from Amazon that has clear and different colors.
I live at both ends of the spectrum.
For the majority of my decks, I'm just not that fussed about it. I use the same plain sleeves for all of the decks (1: so that I can swap cards between them easily, and 2: because I can then buy the sleeves in bulk and save money) and don't care all that much about matching playmats, deck boxes, or anything else. I use the same set of dice, life counters, playmats, and +1/+1-1/-1 counters (from the Commander's Arsenal) for all of them. Tokens that match the decks are nice, though, so I do like to find the appropriate tokens and include them with the decks, though I have also purchased a number of blank, white, plastic playing cards that can be used with dry erase markers so that I can, in essence, have any token I want within seconds.
Having said that, for a handful of my decks I do go a lot further than that, and in one case I'm going all the way. For example, for my [X] deck I'm in the process of trying to acquire four of the Tenth Edition spindown dice (that have the set symbol, an "X", on the "10" side of the spindown), two in Blue and two in Black, so that I can have my life total at the start of the game read "XXXX".
And for my [[Nicol Bolas, the Ravager]] deck, which is going to be the first deck that I ever try to fully foil out, I'm going the whole hog:
Harry Potter House Trunk Sets (Ravenclaw Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MECX89H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vzN5AbBQY371T
Fine Motor Skill Development Toy - Blue Walking Ostrich - Occupational Therapy Finger Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071XV9T11/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_41JACb744J11B
>globe.
If you find that it is moving slowly you are always free to change the initiative order how ever you feel will help.
As an example say the party is comprised of a Fighter(Champion), Barbarian(Totem warrior), Warlock(Pact of the Chain), Wizard(Necromancer), Cleric(Light), Druid(Circle of the Land).
You notice that maybe the Wizard and the Druid are a little slower than the other players because they are still a bit overwhelmed by the choices available to them you could then set the initiative order to have those two players at the end of the turn and let them know that they should be using the time to choose their actions. If they can't come up with a spell to cast in 30 seconds they default to casting a cantrip of your choice.
You aren't doing it to punish a player but to keep the combat moving.
Another thing to think about is using something like this https://www.amazon.com/Set-Sand-Timers-Secs-Mins/dp/B0069TFG5A Use a 30 second timer to declare actions not only for players BUT to help you the almighty DM keep combat smooth. I would also suggest the 1 min timer for rule clarification during combat. If it can not be found or settled by the time the timer is over just make a judgment and return to it later.
Glad you are having fun man.
There are the usual's, set up a place to study, reduce distraction, yadda yadda, and that helps to a degree, but for me, I can't just have one place to study, sometimes my usual place just bugs the crap out of me, so have a few places you can study, like in your room, at the table, at maybe at the library or something similar, I used to love going to my local bookstore/coffee shop until the hipster crowd decided it was "in" and now it's crowded all the time (good for the store owners, not so much for me).
Next, take stock of the things that distract you. For me it's sounds more than anything, so I use the headphones and grey noise to mitigate that. Plus using the headphones habitually helps to train my brain that when their on, it's time to focus. There are also acoustic soundtracks on youtube and spotify that are designed for study sessions, give them a listen, you may find they help you focus better.
My biggest problem, and a huge reason that studying felt like smashing my head on a brick wall, is because I have issues with visual processing. Things that feel visually cluttered, too compact, or otherwise "off" will make it nearly impossible for me to register what I'm trying to read. This means I can read something a million times and it's just not going to sink in if it's not formatted properly. So, when you can, get your books in e-format and adjust the size of the font, this reduces the visual noise that comes with small font. Also download a blue light filter like lightbulb, and put on an antiglare screen protector to reduce eye strain. Some e-books/e-readers also have an audio option where you can listen to the text as you read along and this can really help a lot.
When e-books and audio books are not an option, try using a reading guide like this one, this one, or made out of a piece of paper with a slot cut in it to help you focus on just one line at a time. If your problem is visual clutter you'll notice a difference in a hurry using these methods.
On top of these methods, when you are reading/studying, take one paragraph at a time, read it, then write a single sentence that summarizes the paragraph. It doesn't have to be anything spectacular, it can be as simple as "birds dance and sing to attract mates" to summarize a paragraph describing the mating ritual of the peafowl. This forces you to break up large amounts of information into bits small enough to process easily. Then when you go back over your notes you're more likely to recall some of the finer details from the chapter, even if you didn't specifically write them down.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. You know you are smart, your brain just processes differently so you have to find what works best for you. Once you do, you'll do a lot better and things will start to fall into place for you. But the journey to get there can be hard and very disheartening, so don't give up.
To piggy-back onto this, you can also press the screen after all material has been ran. Ball up the screen, place between parchment, and press between 200-230f for 45 seconds or so.
To keep track of time, I use these bad boys: https://www.amazon.com/Set-Sand-Timers-Secs-Mins/dp/B0069TFG5A . Admittedly, they're likely not the most precise but I'm a large child.
I found this fidget sticks for 3.99 only https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HWGVJB
What's the purpose of them being magnetic?
There's one on Amazon intended to go in the fridge, but you can use it how you want, obviously. I used to use it for drawing maps, but I use thinner sheets that come in packs of 10 or something.
For character sheets, I use "wipe clean pockets". You just print off your sheet, write permanent stuff on it with pen, then slip it into the sleeve and you can use dry-erase pens on them.
They just call them [Base Ten Numbers Set] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1564514498/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01)
>Teach numerical value, place value, equivalent value, and rounding with this Plastic Base Ten Number Concepts Set. It includes 100 cubes, 20 rods, 10 flats, one block, and an activity sheet.
Here you go...Just in case you didn't get your fill.
Get the molymod one. Easy to use, robust. I got mine second hand 15 years ago and it is still going strong. Haven't checked for best price, but here is an Amazon link to get you started.
http://www.amazon.com/Molymod-MMS-008-Molecular-Organic-Chemistry/dp/B007FAZOVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409336888&sr=8-1&keywords=Molecular+model+kit
Oh wow, ok great, thank you, got it! I purposely ordered escudo notes that had been used a lot, because I liked that they cleared contained some real "history" in the real world. Actually, if you're interested, I already also ordered a bunch of other currency as well - I had planned to order it along with those first banknotes, but wasn't sure if that would be too much, but after she and her two sisters and the nephew himself all were so surprised and thrilled with that, I went ahead and immediately ordered these as well when I got home:
3 of these Brazilian dollars for each of the 3 sisters, who have told me that the kid is so smart and loves to read - these I got in mint condition, because I simply preferred that for this one -
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTQ1NFgxNjAw/z/aBgAAOSwaNBUfFwY/$_57.JPG
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=brazil&_from=R40|R40|R40|R40|R40|R40&_osacat=3411&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xbrazil+100+cruzados&_nkw=brazil+100+cruzados&_sacat=3411
This coin, which depicts the Pope carrying a sculpture of the Virgin Mary as the patroness of Brazil -- one of the girls (the kid's mother) posted a picture of that figure on her Facebook back in October when it was the Brazilian holiday about it -
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjk2/z/MXoAAOSwEK9T~MlL/$_57.JPG
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=2014+1+DOLLAR+BRITISH+VIRGIN+ISLANDS&_from=R40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X2014+1+DOLLAR+BRITISH+VIRGIN+ISLANDS+POPE&_nkw=2014+1+DOLLAR+BRITISH+VIRGIN+ISLANDS+POPE&_sacat=0
Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Aparecida
Then I ordered this coin the other day (just a couple bucks), which depicts Portugal's first Chief Cosmographer, Pedro Nunes -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Escudos-2000-Bi-metallic-PEDRO-NUNES-/111583904507?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item19faeb42fb
Info - and I may print out part of these two articles, and in this case, I'll just use Google's English translations, as corrected by me:
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Nunes
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosm%C3%B3grafo-mor
And lastly, this globe (which I used to have) -
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000J6JX/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687522&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B008C4RX5G&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1RRMGR1V0KCAA2JKKZXV
I think it will be a really cool addition to their home, and the kid can learn geography from it. And yes, this is up-to-date and it includes the nation of South Sudan, which became a country in 2011. I plan to present the 2 preceding coins at the same time as the globe. First, I want to show those the two coins, side by side (like with the symbolic visual meaning of Christianity being brought to the world--these girls are very religious, at least in the sense that they talk about God's role in their lives very often), and then present the globe and place the coins against it, with the Nunes one where Portugal is, and the Aparecida one where Brazil is! As you can see, I like to give gifts that people can learn from and find some special meaning in. All the things are scheduled to be delivered by February 7, which is not too many days away, so I'm very excited about all this!
They are called Pattern Blocks.
Here they are on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Pattern-Blocks-Set-250/dp/B000F8T8U0
I have learned they are called pattern blocks. Seems like they must have had another name but all the places on page 1 of Google are focused at selling them to math teachers
This is a good idea! They sell transparent ruler-type things (example) to be held over the page and moved downward as you read that can be really helpful for this, too. They're usually recommended for people with dyslexia or other eye/attention issues but are pretty awesome across the board (bonus - they make convenient bookmarks!).
Amazon has you covered
I just stole items that happened to vibrate,
LIKE A NORMAL 12yo!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Hart-Squiggle-Wiggle-Writer-Multicolor/dp/B0035477YK
Source: Fine Motor Skill Development Toy - Blue Walking Ostrich - Occupational Therapy Finger Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071XV9T11/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aKCACbK7CB3D0
Jesus, these people are fucking demoralizing.
If you're a chemistry major, then you are probably smart, you probably like the subject, and did pretty well in Gen Chem. The biggest problem with OChem is that there are so many different mechanism. Dozens of different types of reactions, with different catalysts, producing different products, with a variety of structural characteristics. You'll need to learn all the different structures of the reactants, products, intermediates, and track every single atom as it transitions through every step. It seems impossible to remember it all, which is why people hate it.
But you don't need to learn everything all at once. OChem, if nothing else, is the one class that teaches students how to properly study (and that it's impossible to learn all the material the night before the test).
Here is my advice:
Go to every single class. Take notes by hand (putting away the phone). Review said notes from the previous day for 30 minutes before bed. Do all the homework. Review said notes from the previous week for a couple hours each the weekend.
If you do those things, you will have learned the material five separate times before you even study for the exam for real. Once by hearing the prof, once by writing it down in your notebook, once by reviewing your notes later that night, once in the homework, and once in a weekly review. And if any of the material does not make sense after your weekend review session, go to the professor's office hours and ask.
If you do those things, in OChem and PChem, I guarantee you will do well in the class.
(Source: Got an A and a B+ in OChem, an A and a B in PChem)
P.S. A molecular modelling kit can also be a very useful tool for visualizing organic structures and understanding the reactions.