Educational toys that boost reading and literacy can help give your child a great start!

I have been on the hunt recently for other ways I can help young parents connect their children with reading from an early age and I've found some products that I absolutely LOVE and that will help promote these learning goals for your children!

Of course, to be above board, I must disclose that as an Amazon Associate, I will earn from qualifying purchases made through the links attached.

​The important part is your child's success with reading can hinge on you and your involvement with them and the reading process. Playing games is a fun way to learn and to interact with your child. Set aside a game time each day to work on basic skills!

Spin-and-Read Phonics Toy

The Spin-and-Read Phonics toy above is a good blend of visual cues and tactile, hands on retention cues. The letter blocks are wooden and it comes with a great little bag to contain it. Pack and go with this easily portable learning game that is certified non-toxic and kid-safe.

Wooden Spelling Game

This wooden spelling game above has over 50 flashcards and a puzzle style format where vowels and consonants are colour coded. Can be played in numerous ways as your child learns and grows.

Ten Frame Math Game

As with the Spin-and-Read Phonics toy, this game comes with wooden pieces and a travel bag for ease of packing for learning fun on the go. Multiple ways you can play this one and has separate square pegs for even numbers versus round pegs for odd numbers to help reinforce more abstract math concepts. A great way to start your child with counting and basic addition and subtraction. While not specifically aimed at reading, numeric literacy is important as well and I love the various ways this can be used.

Magic Ink Copy Books

Positively overjoyed with these disappearing ink copy books. Comes with refills of the disappearing ink, so you can reuse again and again. Helps with writing letters, numbers, and also has a "drawing" book to add some fun to the mix when the work is done! Helps reinforce correct formation of letters and numbers by providing clear instructions and some samples to trace. The thick paper is durable for multiple uses as well!

Electronics Exploration Kit

How about using their love of science to get them reading and working on something? For some kids its about finding out, not just enjoying a story. This kit, which is available in a 140 project or 420 project configurations, comes with some detailed tutorials and cards to help them explore circuitry. While advertised as ages 3 to 12, I feel this is most appropriate at the 5 to 9 age range but as all children advance and develop differently, it's never too early to start your budding mad scientist!

For those on a more limited budget, similar activities can easily been produced at home using various materials that you would readily have at hand, as well as simple dollar store finds.

Never underestimate the power of a pair of dice to help with addition and subtraction, as well as counting. Alphabet and number magnets that my mom had on the fridge when I was small were an easy way for mom to juggle various tasks in the kitchen while supervising and correcting spelling or phonics and she passed them on to my kids when they were little.

Other facets of learning that are important include developing fine motor skills. Wooden blocks, Lego, or balancing toys and games are great for developing these sorts of things.

Hand and eye coordination? Recently we ran a coconut shie at the library during reading time. The kids were given targets of recycled bottles, boxes, and containers to knock over using balled up socks. Nothing breakable, lots of fun, and in just a few rounds you could see changes in how each child approached their aiming and throwing of the socks.

Remember, play is a way of learning and should never be underestimated. I encourage you all to get down on the floor with your littles and start learning all over again.
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