I have always been a firm believer in the idea that learning should be fun. I think when you make learning fun, children are more open to different concepts and ideas. If learning is boring, kids will be less interested and not play attention like they should.
I’m a mom, but I’m also someone who has worked with children for many years. Now as a site director, it’s even more important for me to ensure that we have the proper learning materials for my “work kids,” so we are able to assist them with homework. I also have to make sure we have plenty of fun activities on hand to engage the children and keep them busy, and of course, having fun.
I am always on the look out for materials and entertaining products to help with the program I work for. I spend A LOT of time on Amazon and sites like Pinterest, as well as educational sites and blogs.
One product that has been so helpful when helping children with math are linking cubes. If you have never seen them before, linking cubes are small, plastic, often colorful cubes that are a fantastic aid for teaching children about math concepts. We use them in our program for based ten math, adding, subtracting and more.
We have a set of linking cubes from the brand Edx.
EDX education offers an array of STEM toys for kids of all ages. For all ages, outside play and education should go hand-in-hand. Children should be actively engaged with the excitement of being outside, amongst nature and the elements. The best thing? These toys encourage learning through play. Outdoor play areas should draw children into exploring, experimenting and building with many different types of items. EDX education helps to increase: Gross + Fine Motor Skills, Social + Emotional Development, Speech + Language, and Cognitive Development + Curiosity.
The linking cubes can be easily attached to one another, as well as pulled apart when needed. They are easy enough for my littlest kids (kindergarteners) to work with.
Having the different colored cubes really helps with math concepts.
I find using these cubes as a visual really help to bring the math problem “alive,” if that makes sense? Jotting down lines or dots on a piece of paper are one thing, but having a tangible object you can manipulate with your hands helps to foster a better understanding, if you ask me.
The colorful linking cubes from Edx are not just for math. They can be played with as well. My “work kids” love to build with them. They link together on all sides, so the possibilities are endless. The more cubes you have, the more things you can build with them.
I am not the only one who really likes these cubes from Edx. My co-workers do as well (they find them great to work with too). They also have outstanding reviews on Amazon, where they are sold. You can check out the reviews here – Edx Linking Cubes (this is NOT an affiliate link).
Another interesting product I have from Edx is their My Gears Transport Set.
The My Gears Transport Set is a building set that children can use to create a variety of vehicles, or whatever else their imaginations come up with.
The set comes with simple instructions to make several vehicles. Children are also free to create their own.
This set does have a few tiny pieces. I had to make extra certain that my “work kids” put all the pieces back in the baggie when they were done (I have the smaller pieces in a Ziploc bag for safe keeping while in the box).
I can’t take pictures of my “work kids” (for obvious reasons – they are not my kids), but I have seen them with this set. They tend to make their own creations rather than the ones instructed in the booklet. That is fine with me. I like that they rather challenge themselves to create something entirely different.
This is a great STEM activity as well. It teaches different concepts, such as how things move and how things work together.
These would make great gifts this holiday season, as well as some other products from Edx.
If you are interested in learning more about these or other Edx toys, visit EdxEducation.com. Edx can also be found on social media. You can find all of their links on the bottom right of the teacher/parent section.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.