Enabling Environments Equipment: Activity tree...Maths in a box...Rope and Rockwall Mirror Unit
Ruth Thomson
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
New early years products rounded up by Ruth Thomson will engage children in maths, climbing, digging and playing creatively.
Woodland activity tree, £49.99 plus VAT
Winner of an ERA Award 2010: Early Years Resource or Equipment (Non-ICT), the Activity Tree from TTS is designed to inspire creativity and stimulate role play.
Made from soft fabric with velvety green leaves, the textured trunk opens up to add weight for stability, while the branches can be twisted into different shapes. Add themed resources and the scene is set for storytelling, singing, dancing and other creative activities.
You can add a set of numbers (£9.99); singing accessories (£19.99), including a monkey, a duck, a spider, a girl, a boy, a teapot, a bus and a star; woodland creatures (£17.99), and a seasons collection (£32.99), featuring five blossom flowers, ten apples, ten leaves (brown and orange) and ten snowflakes. The tree and all the accessories are available for £120.96.
Boo Zoo! Maths in a Box! £299 plus VAT and p&p
Boo Zoo is a playand story-based maths programme for the early years and Key Stage 1, developed by Storysack's creator Neil Griffiths and mathematics consultant Helen Elis Jones.
Centred around a zoo and adjoining safari park, the programme features six characters who transport children into the world of mathematics through their adventures in 25 stories.
Included in the box are soft toys, picture books, a giant double-sided jigsaw base board, card and table top games, Maths talk cards, cut-outs, 50 fabulous plastic animals and a Multi-ROM with PDF versions of the stories plus detailed notes.
Rope and rockwall mirror unit, £890 plus VAT
This sturdy climbing unit (1m high) allows for both physical and sensory play. On one side of the unit are climbing rocks with a rope to help children climb up or down, while on the other side are some foothold wooden slats with handgrips. Inside there are three safety acrylic mirrors so that children can crawl through and explore their reflections.
Hole in the Toad, £33.25
Wesco
Keen little golfers can sharpen up their skills with this putting game, designed to improve dexterity. Children simply aim for the toad's mouth and tap the ball. Made of wood and with a high-quality finish, the set comprises two putters, two balls and a base.
To order call 0115 9899765 or e-mail sales@wescouk.co.uk and quote the product number 173 100 327.
Yeominis gardening tools
The Consortium
This wide range of Yeominis gardening tools, exclusive to The Consortium, includes a flatpack wheelbarrow (£22.99), a hand tool set (trowel, fork and rake, £3.99) and kneeler pads in the shape of a frog, hedgehog or butterfly (£47.88 for a set of 12; four in each design).
Other items in the range include telescopic handled tools - spade, shovel, hoe, broom, rake and lawn rake - at £6.99 each. The tools come with soft foam grips and lightweight aluminium shafts that can be adjusted to suit the height of the gardener.
Fidget Spots, set of four £40
These attractive little mats, with their triple-layered fleece centre and double-sewn ribbon edge (40cm wide including edging), offer young children comfortable seating and the sensory enjoyment of playing with multi-coloured ribbons. But their primary aim is to help children focus and concentrate. The sensory feedback gained from fiddling with the ribbons enables children who often struggle to sit still to settle, listen and maintain eye contact. The mats are made in the UK and are machine-washable.
PRODUCTS FOR REVIEW?
If you have a new product that you would like reviewed, e-mail details to: ruth.thomson@haymarket.com
