The two products I am featuring today support learning in a multi-sensory fashion. Research proves over and over that children learn best through play! You do not need fancy or expensive workbooks or curriculums for young children. There is nothing wrong with those, but always keep in mind that kids (2-5 specifically) need to prioritize play and learning in multi-sensory ways. The more learning experiences we can give our children that tap into their visual, kinesthetic and auditory learning styles, the better.
Dot markers: One of my favorite products is dot markers.
First of all, dot markers are excellent for developing fine motor skills. They’re also a mess-free way to do art that veers from the path of using crayons or markers; kids always love to have alternatives. Dot markers can be used for things as simple as art on paper or you can use them as an easy tool for teaching tracing, counting, patterns, addition, multiplication or color identification. There are tons of dot marker workbooks out there that are also an excellent option. These workbooks are great for reinforcing numbers, letters and fun for more art and fine motor development. You can find this video to see how I like to use dot markers with my girls.
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Learning cubes: Another product I love for kids of all ages are learning cubes.
I use these for counting and practicing one-to-one correspondence, manipulatives for addition and subtraction (you can do the same for older kids with multiplication and division) and to practice color identification. When that’s mastered, they’re great for teaching patterns. I use these with older kids for counting sounds and/or syllables in a word. I love that these are a purchase you can use even as your child gets older. Here is another video that shows you how I like to use them with my girls.
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Remember: Knox County Online Library or your favorite bookstore to search for Erin’s recommendations.
Erin Pate is a former elementary school teacher and mom to two littles who has a passion for sharing the love of reading. Follow her on Instagram @booksandsmiles for book recommendations and reading tips for the littles in your life.
