Creative DIY Educational Construction/Building Toy

This toolkit is truly amazing! It was love at first sight for my son. The well-organized compartments inside the wooden toolbox enhance his organizational skills as he carefully places the tools back after use.

This toolkit is truly amazing! It was love at first sight for my son. The well-organized compartments inside the wooden toolbox enhance his organizational skills as he carefully places the tools back after use.The 34-piece set includes various tools and wood components, perfect for children aged 3 and above. 

The set consist of: slotted screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, hex wrench,  tiger pliers, hammer, wrench, saw, ruler, 5 different combination plates, nut, 2 different combination blocks, cross screws, wheels, hex screws and a variety of wood components. It is perfect for children aged 3 and above and is made of Eco-friendly material.

The decision to choose this building toy as a learning resource was driven by the remarkable benefits and skills it offers. It taps into a child's creativity and desire to construct diverse objects and shapes, fostering hand-eye coordination, logical thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. 

Over time, I witnessed my son's self-confidence soar as he successfully built cars, planes, and structures from scratch. His understanding of colors, geometrical shapes, 3D forms, and counting improved while stacking the wooden pieces. A trip to the carpenter's workshop showcased his newfound knowledge as he confidently named various tools and demonstrated their functions in constructing objects and structures. The carpenter was delighted to let him participate by tightening some screws on a table. This building toy has proven to be an exceptional tool, instilling a sense of achievement and nurturing various skills in my son's development journey.

Resources:

See the video below the kids interacting with the Educational Construction/Building Toy

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Unlocking the Power of Hands-On Learning: A Journey of Creativity and Growth in Early Childhood Education

As a mom who is deeply passionate about education, I have always believed that the key to nurturing young minds lies in engaging them with interactive and hands-on learning experiences. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand how incorporating educational resource tools in early childhood education can truly transform the way children learn and develop essential skills.

In my journey as an educator for my own children, one invaluable tool that stands out is the Preschool Mathematics Domino set. This simple yet effective resource has opened up a world of mathematical exploration for my kids. Watching them grasp basic mathematical concepts through play has been a joyous sight. From counting and pattern recognition to addition and subtraction, the domino set has become a gateway to the world of numbers, sparking their curiosity and building a strong foundation for future learning.

Another gem that I stumbled upon in this educational   adventure is the Magnetic Alphabet Kit. This colorful   and tactile tool has been a game-changer when it   comes to language development and literacy skills.   Observing my youngest struggling with reading, I   decided to take a hands-on approach. Through the   Magnetic Alphabet Kit, we embarked on a journey of   phonics and word building. As they manipulated the   letters, creating their own words and sentences, I saw   their confidence grow. With each passing day, their   vocabulary expanded, and their ability to read and   construct sentences improved significantly.
 

The benefits of incorporating hands-on educational tools extend far beyond academic achievements. One crucial aspect of interactive learning is the cultivation of creativity. When children engage their senses, exploring and experimenting, they tap into their innate creativity. The Magnetic Alphabet Kit, with its chunky soft-touch foam letters, provided an opportunity for my kids to not only learn the alphabet but also to express themselves through imaginative wordplay.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are equally vital for a child's development. As they play with these resources, children encounter challenges and puzzles that require them to think critically and find solutions. Whether it's figuring out the next domino piece or arranging letters to form meaningful words, they learn to analyze, strategize, and make decisions – skills that will serve them well in various aspects of life. The beauty of hands-on learning is that it seamlessly blends fun and education. Learning through play doesn't feel like a chore; instead, it becomes an adventure filled with curiosity and excitement. As my children actively participated in their learning journey, they retained knowledge better and developed a genuine love for exploration and discovery.

In conclusion, early childhood education enriched with hands-on educational resource tools has proven to be a potent combination for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The interactive nature of these tools ignites a passion for learning, enabling children to thrive in a nurturing environment.In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I learn." As parents and educators, let us embrace the power of hands-on learning, immersing our children in a world of possibilities, where their imaginations take flight, and their minds grow stronger with every touch, turn, and twist of these remarkable educational resources. Together, let us shape a future where learning is a joyful and empowering journey for every young mind.

To read the next educational resource tool click on this link https://hands-on-kids-activities.blogspot.com/2021/12/creative-diy-educational.html

Resources:
See a video below to view the kids interacting with the kit

Early Childhood Educational Resources for Homeschooling

The year 2020 brought with it a whirlwind of unforeseen challenges, among them the sudden shift to homeschooling due to the pandemic. As a parent, navigating this uncharted territory proved to be both daunting and rewarding. With my kids at home and my own work responsibilities to attend to, the task of striking a balance between work and ensuring my children's education did not falter felt like a tightrope walk. However, amidst the uncertainties, I discovered a treasure trove of innovative educational resources that kept my kids engaged, curious, and excited about learning. In this article, I share my homeschooling journey, reflecting on the challenges I faced and the creative solutions we embraced to nurture our children's intellectual growth. One particular gem in our educational arsenal was the Preschool Mathematics Domino—a versatile tool that not only sharpened their mathematical skills but also fostered problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

The sudden shift to homeschooling was uncharted territory for our family. As the pandemic confined us to the four walls of our home, my kids' education was my top priority. Yet, I soon discovered that traditional pen and paper activities were met with dwindling interest and enthusiasm. The need for an alternative approach became evident, and I embarked on a quest to explore innovative educational resources that could capture their imagination and foster a love for learning.

My search led me to the Preschool Mathematics Domino—a vibrant and eco-friendly educational kit designed for children aged three and above. With 110 colorful wooden pieces and a numbered board, this captivating tool promised to enhance their mathematical skills through playful exploration. 

The kit offered a multitude of math problems, encouraging the kids to add and subtract two single-digit numbers and place the dominoes strategically on the board.

What I truly admired about the Preschool Mathematics Domino was its versatility in promoting hands-on and creative learning experiences. 

The kids embarked on exciting adventures, using the counting sticks and wooden pieces to design imaginative shapes and structures. Their creative minds soared as they competed to construct the tallest and sturdiest tower, fostering teamwork and collaboration.

In one of the most cherished activities, we coined it the "domino wheel." Inspired by an image on the mathematics domino storage box, the kids took on the challenge of replicating a circular structure using the domino pieces. This task proved to be both fun and challenging, enhancing their motor skills and problem-solving abilities. With each collapse and rebuild, their determination to succeed and improve their design shone through, resulting in moments filled with laughter and delight.

 

As the kids delved deeper into the world of Preschool Mathematics Domino, I witnessed a remarkable transformation in their approach to problem-solving. Evaluating whether to add or subtract, calculating the right equation, and deciding on the ideal slot for the domino demanded critical thinking at its finest. Their young minds embraced the thrill of challenge, unearthing solutions with newfound confidence. The process of learning became an exhilarating adventure, and they embraced each math problem as an exciting puzzle to solve.

An additional activity they engaged in was designing a domino wheel; as we nicknamed it. They observed an image printed on the mathematics domino storage box and then mimicked it to achieve a circular structured design. This challenging task enhanced the kids’ motor skills every time they built it up after collapsing. It is an exciting and fun activity full of laughter.

To all fellow parents embarking on the homeschooling adventure, I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore alternative educational resources that ignite the spark of curiosity in your children. Embrace the world of hands-on learning, where imagination knows no bounds, and creativity takes flight. Let's create an environment where problem-solving and critical thinking are celebrated, and each challenge is an opportunity for growth.

To continue this journey of discovery, I invite you to explore the next educational resource that enriched our homeschooling experience. Click on the link to uncover a treasure trove of innovative tools that will keep your kids engaged, curious, and inspired in their quest for knowledge. Let's nurture young minds together and embark on an exciting learning adventure that transcends the boundaries of traditional education.

Resources:

See a link to view the kids solving the sums:

                      Subtraction                                           Addition  

See a link to view the kids playing the Domino Wheel

On to the next article ...https://hands-on-kids-activities.blogspot.com/2021/05/as-mom-who-is-passionate-about.html

Fluttering with Creativity: Butterfly Paper Craft

Engage your child's artistic flair with this delightful butterfly paper craft! Not only is it a fun and engaging activity, but it also nurtures essential skills and values in the process. By the end of this enchanting project, your child will be filled with a sense of accomplishment and newfound self-confidence.

Learning Outcomes:
Through this activity, your child will:
a) Showcase their 2D artwork with presentation and exhibition skills.
b) Express their emotions, feelings, and experiences creatively.
c) Experience the joy of success by crafting a stunning butterfly artwork.

Core Competencies Enhanced:
a) Unleash their creativity as they bring their butterfly to life.
b) Boost self-efficacy as they proudly share and discuss their masterpiece.

Values Instilled:
 a) Encouraging the sharing of art materials among peers.
b) Fostering teamwork while collaborating with others.
c) Instilling respect and appreciation for each other's artwork during the display.

Life Skills:
As they showcase and talk about their butterfly artwork, your child will develop self-esteem and assertiveness.

Materials Needed:
• Two types of manila paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil
• Marker pen
• Coin/Compass or any circular object

Steps:
1. Trace the right and left hand on one piece of Manila paper.

2. Carefully cut along the pencil markings to create two sets of handprint cutouts.

3. On a different color of Manila paper, use a coin or any circular object to draw small circular shapes. Freehand drawing works just fine too. 

 

4. Cut out the circular shapes and set them aside, creating as many as you prefer based on the hand cutout size.
5. Use the same colored Manila paper used for drawing circles to create a bigger circular shape (the butterfly's head), an oval shape (the body), and two curved stripes (the antennae). Cut out these shapes.
6. Glue the hand cutouts together, overlapping one palm over the other at the point where the lower part of the thumb meets.

7. Glue the oval and circular shape at the intersection of the hand cutouts, forming the body and head of the butterfly. Attach the antennae at the back of the circular head shape.

  

8. Adorn the palms with the small circular shapes and use a marker pen to draw curvy lines on the oval (representing wings), eyes, and a mouth on the circular head.

 Now watch your butterfly craft take flight, 

carrying your child's creativity to new heights!

On to the next article … https://hands-on-kids-activities.blogspot.com/2021/08/early-childhood-educational-resources.html

The Wild Homeschooling Ride: Adventures in Playful Learning with My Little Rascals!

Dear readers,

So, I've been sitting on this brilliant idea for what feels like ages now. I mean, I've changed the title a gazillion times, toyed with different content ideas, and finally settled on something that gets me all giddy inside: sharing the epic activities I do with my adorable kids at home!

But, let me tell you how this homeschooling saga began. Picture this: 2020, the year of staying home and juggling work-from-home chaos. And right there in the mix, I had my little rascals, ages 9 and below, running amok with sugar-fueled energy. Chaos doesn't even begin to cover it! 😄 It was like trying to contain a tornado with extra giggles and mischief thrown in for good measure.

Oh, and did I mention online classes? Yeah, those! They came marching in with all their fancy virtual lessons. But guess what? The 4 and 5-year-olds were having none of it! I mean, who can blame them when they hit me with gems like:

"Mom, the teacher keeps repeating the same stuff over and over. I got it the first time, seriously!"

"Mom, I'm way too tired today. Can we just have a playdate with the couch?"

"Mom, I aced the sums, so call me when it's question time, alright?"

I swear, I couldn't help but chuckle at their cheekiness!

So, with all this pressure to keep these tiny humans busy, I decided it was time to wave the white flag and unleash the secret weapon – playful learning! Oh yeah, it was time to turn our humble abode into a joyous adventure zone!

I dived headfirst into the world of KICD Curriculum Designs and hatched a plan to make learning as practical and fun as a rollercoaster ride. We scoured YouTube tutorials, researched like we were on a mission to Mars, and got our hands dirty with tons of trial and error.

I gotta say, these activities became a hot mess of creativity, exploration, and laughter, but we loved every second of it! And the best part? My little minions had a say in everything! They turned into mini-masterminds, owning every project and adding their magical touch to make it truly their own.

Now, enough chit-chat – it's time for you to hop on this wild homeschooling ride! Brace yourself for the craziest, most unforgettable adventures as we delve into the realm of playful learning!

Let's make learning a thrilling journey filled with joy, imagination, and lifelong memories for our little rascals! Get ready to unleash the power of play, and trust me, you'll be grinning from ear to ear the whole way through!

Buckle up, my dear readers, because we're about to embark on an epic journey of bonding, laughter, and learning like no other! Let's rock this homeschooling thing together, and may the fun be ever in our favor! 🚀😄

Esther Nyambura