The purpose of the Learning Tools and Toys for Life component is to help enhance all of other components of the Education for Life Program. We started researching and creating a collection of these learning and teaching tools and toys in 2008. They now include puzzles, games, memory aids, educational books, music, and anything else that can be used as an aid to learning.
This page contains the following sections:
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SUGGESTIONS | CONSULTING | MEMBERSHIP | OTHER OPTIONS
The learning tools and toys component is purposed to help enhance all of other components of the Education for Life Program. We have spent the last 6 years researching and expanding our collection of these learning and teaching tools and toys. Examples of tools include educational toys and puzzles, games, memory aids, educational books, music, and anything else that is used as an aid to learning. Primary criteria for selection has been:
Open source sharing our constantly evolving list of learning tools and toys is purposed to help others interested in finding new and creative educational tools and toys for use in any learning environment. This list will expand indefinitely as we find, apply, and integrate new tools and toys as part of the teaching strategies and lesson plans.
SUGGESTIONS | CONSULTING | MEMBERSHIP | OTHER OPTIONS
Sangam Stanczak: Ph.D., P.E.
This page is an ever expanding resource and list of educational learning and teaching tools and toys that we feel meet our criteria for diverse application, effectiveness, creativity, and imagination. In the case where a number is indicated, the number represents how many of that specific tool and toy we already own for inclusion in the Education for Life Program at One Community. Once on the property, we will be expanding this list indefinitely and adding an additional page for each item listed with videos and other resources for how to use it in an educational setting.
For easier understanding, the tools and toys have been organized here into their respective room colors:
The red room stands for life, vitality, strength, and physical nature of all things. This themed area will include a climbing and exercising component, percussion instruments, and animal pictures and elements. The subject of Health will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Mindfulness and Fun, and Interconnectedness and Our Relationship to All Things. See also: Health
The primary subject for the Red Room is Health, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to exercise, playing sports, and/or nutrition would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Open/Close Practice Cost: $24 (link to buy) Why: Exercise fine motor skills Age: 3 and up | ||
Link to Source Site | Active Play Toys Cost: $7-$500 Why: Exercise fine motor skills Age: Depends on item – ranges from 2 and up | |
Link to Source Site | Farming Toys Cost: $3-$600 Why: To expose children to where our food comes from, promoting connectedness. Age: Depends on item – ranges from 3 and up | |
Learning Play Tools (Includes Montessori) Cost: $1-$1330 Why: An assortment of educational toys/tools, including authentic Montessori material that are self-correcting, require little adult intervention, and are self-directed. Most authentic materials are within the subjects of sensory and math. Age: Depends on item (typically 3-6) | ||
Push Cart Cost: $55 (link to buy) Why: Great as balancing, standing, and walking aid. Learning through play by allowing a child to mimic parents (i.e., shopping at a grocery store). | ||
Square Platform Trestle Cost: $299 (link to buy) Why: Serves as a component to creating obstacle courses, which contributes to creativity and development of motor skills through balance, climbing, and jumping. When done in groups, obstacle courses promote taking turns, negotiation, planning, and leadership. | ||
Kitchen Cost: $126.79 (link to buy) Why: Learning through play by allowing a child to mimic parents (i.e., cooking in the kitchen). Also promotes organization and motor and social skills. | ||
Wooden Kitchen Cost: $129.99 (link to buy) Why: Learning through play by allowing a child to mimic parents (i.e., cooking in the kitchen). Also promotes organization and motor and social skills. | ||
Cost/investment will depend on your budget Why: Could be a good option to include for older students training for specific sports. Trampolines, exercise balls, and other easy to use equipment can be good for all ages. |
The orange room represents emotional growth and development. It is about understanding and exploring our feelings and responses to experiences and each other. It is also about learning to express feelings through language, art, and dance. The subject of English will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Diversity, Differences, and Similarities, and Communication and Language Skills. See also: English
The primary subject for the Orange Room is English, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to learning languages, reading, spelling, etc. would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Link to Source Site | Reading Cost: $5-$65 Why: An assortment of tools to promote exploration through reading. Age: Depends on item (ranges from 2 and up) | |
Link to Source Site | Language Cost: $8-$50 Why: An assortment of tools to promote exploration through language. | |
Finger Painting Cost: $20 (link to buy) Why: Allows child to explore art in a very connected fashion, touch goes into the creation. | ||
Sandpaper Letters Cost:$48.99 (link to buy) Why: Adds tactile sense to help child learn the alphabet. | ||
Magnetic Letters, Magnetic Numbers, Magnetic Words Cost: $19.97, $9.96, $24.95 (link to buy) Why: Tangible, magnetic letters promote learning the alphabet by using multiple sensory modalities. | ||
Magnetic Dry Erase Board (2×3 ft): $35 (link to buy) Why: Allows children to explore their creativity. Also promotes thinking out loud and group problem solving using the board as a thinking pad. | ||
Link to Source Site | Puppets Cost: $8.95 – over $100 Why: Promotes imagination, self-expression, and vocalization. |
The yellow room is about peaceful leadership, sharing, self esteem, respect for others, self-control, self-discipline, calmness, and initiative. This room will contain collaborative and cooperative tools, toys, and games. The subject of Math will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Knowledge and Wisdom, Collaboration and Cooperation, and Sharing, Giving, and Receiving, and Honesty and Integrity. See also: Math
The primary subject for the Yellow Room is Math, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to learning numbers and all aspects of mathematics would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Link to Source Site | Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Cost: $7-$400 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. | |
Link to Source Site | Logic/STEM Cost: $8-$50 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Age: Depends on item(ranges from 3 and up) | |
Learning Play Tools (Includes Montessori) Cost: $1-$1330 Why: An assortment of educational toys/tools, including authentic Montessori materials that are self-correcting, require little adult intervention, and are self-directed. Most authentic materials are within the subjects of sensory and math. Age: Depends on item (typically 3-6) | ||
Abacus Cost: $13.33 (link to buy) Why: Initially used to develop fine motor skills, then to count and ultimately as a calculating tool for development of mathematical skills. Age: 3 and up | ||
Blank White Dice Cost: $0.26 to $8.45 depending on size and number of sides. $13.99 for industrial sharpies (12 pack) (link to buy) Why: Can be used across subjects for creating games and other mathematical activities. Age: Great for ages 4 and up. | ||
Multicolor and Denomination Dice Cost: $20 for 100 (link to buy) Why: Can be used across subjects, from creating games to mathematical activities. Age: Great for ages 4 and up. | ||
Link to Source Site | Wooden Brain-Bending Puzzles Cost: $11.59 Why: Puzzles like these develop, sharpen, and foster problem solving skills and promote patience and ingenuity. | |
Tools Cost: $36 (link to buy) Why: Learning through play by allowing a child to mimic parents (i.e., fixing something broken or creating something useful). Also develops motor skills. | ||
Traditional Legos Cost: $3-$500 (link to buy) Why: Legos aid in the development of motor skills, as well as promote lateral thinking, learning how to following instructions, problem-solving, organizational skills, creativity, and the ability to construct. | ||
Wooden Legos (Natural) Cost: $22.80-$42.90 (link to buy) Why: Legos aid in the development of motor skills, as well as promote lateral thinking, learning how to following instructions, problem-solving, organizational skills, creativity, and the ability to construct. | ||
Wooden Block Cost: $48-$220 (link to buy) Why: Promotes imagination, creativity, general understanding of the physical world and its limitations, and helps develop problem solving and reasoning skills. | ||
Drafting Kits Cost: $40.78 (link to buy) Why: Helps kids learn about a career in architecture and engineering. Applies mathematical skills, creativity, focus, and an understanding of the physical world. | ||
Marble Run Cost: $49.99 (link to buy) Why: Allows child to explore the laws of the physical world and use creative problem solving to manipulate the physical world to make marble take the route of interest. | ||
Geoboard Cost: $31.50 (link to buy) Why: Helps children develop and refine fine motor skills and explore creatively. |
The green room is about nature, ecological systems, and our interaction and connection with both. It is also about our connections to one another as parts of the human ecological system, and how these systems are interdependent. The subject of Science will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Interconnectedness and Our Relationship to All Things and Love, Connection, and Compassion. See also: Science
The primary subject for the Green Room is Science, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to learning about the sciences would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Easel Cost: $165.78, $119.99 (link to buy) Why: Allows children to explore their creative side through art using chalk and markers. Also promotes thinking out loud and group problem solving using the board as a thinking pad. Age: 3 and up | ||
Link to Source Site | Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Cost:$7-$400 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. | |
Link to Source Site | Logic/STEM Cost: $8-$50 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Age: Depends on item (ranges from 3 and up) | |
Link to Source Site | Science Cost: $5-$300 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science. Age: Depends on item (ranges from 2 and up) | |
Microscope Cost: $179-$269 (link to buy) Why: Makes the unseen world accessible, allowing children to think beyond what is readily visible. Promotes exploration and satisfies curiosity. | ||
Spring Scale Cost: $48, $15.90 (link to buy) Why: Provides a hands-on way to assess an important element of the physical world. Can be used to show how two very different things can be equal in weight, but differ in size. Shows how the physical world can be measured using springs. | ||
Two Pan Scale Balance Cost: $30 (link to buy) Why: Provides a hands-on way to assess an important element of the physical world. Can be used to show how two very different things can be equal in weight, but differ in size. Can be used for cooking, to show equivalence, and science experiments. | ||
TOOB Animals Cost: $13.03 (link to buy) | ||
Magna Morphs Cost: $14.99 Why: Allows child to creatively explore millions of combinations that can be made by mixing and matching legs, wings, heads, tails and bodies of different animals. Promotes thinking beyond the tangible observations. | ||
Bloco Toys Cost: $10-$55 (link to buy) Why: Helps child create toys they can use in imaginative play. Exercises the skill to follow directions. | ||
Physics Set Cost: $99-$129 (link to buy) Why: An assortment of experiments to promote fun exploration of science. | ||
Magnets Cost: $13.99, $38.93, $16.99 (link to buy) Why: Exercises skills in math, science, creative thinking, and coordination skills. Playing with magnets is open-ended, with endless manipulations. |
The blue room stands for communication, empathy, feelings, and the ability to express oneself. This room (along with the indigo room) will contain computers, tablets, and other technology for accessing the internet and multi-media creation. Learning aids and books in this room will focus on communication and multi-media expression. The subject of Technology and Innovation will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Communication and Language Skills and Community, Family, and Social Skills. See also: Technology and Innovation
The primary subject for the Blue Room is Technology and Innovation, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to computers, software, lateral/creative thinking, and complex problem solving would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Erector Set Cost: $32-$400 (link to buy) Why: Erector set aids in the development of motor skills, as well as promote lateral thinking, learning how to following instructions, problem-solving, organizational skills, creativity, ability to construct, and an understanding of the the physical world. Age: 10 and up | ||
Lincoln Logs Cost: $19.99-$109.99 (link to buy) Why: Promotes spatial awareness, helps child learn how to follow written instructions, and allows child to practice problem-solving skills. Age: 3 and up | ||
Link to Source Site | Creative Activities Cost: $4-$130 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of art and creativity. Age: Depends | |
Link to Source Site | Technology & Engineering Cost: $10-$330 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Age: Depends | |
Building Blocks Cost: $7-$400 Why: Promotes imagination, creativity, general understanding of the physical world and its limitations, and helps develop problem solving and reasoning skills. Age: Depends | ||
Link to Source Site | Science Technology Engineering Cost: $7-$40 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. | |
Link to Source Site | Logic/STEM Cost: $8-$50 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Age: Depends |
The indigo room represents global and historical perspectives and celebrating diversity. This room (like the blue room) will contain computers, tablets, and other technology for accessing the internet. Learning aids and books in this room will focus on history and different cultures and cultural practices. The subject of Social Science will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Contribution, Global Perspective, and Social Science, Diversity, Differences, and Similarities, and Freedom and Celebrating Other Perspectives. See also: Social Science
The primary subject for the Indigo Room is Social Science, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to learning about politics, history, culture, and geography would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Easel Cost: $165.78, $119.99 (link to buy) Why: Allows children to explore their creative side through art using chalk and markers. Also promotes thinking out loud and group problem solving using the board as a thinking pad. Age: 3 and up | ||
Link to Source Site | Map of the World Floor Puzzle $14.95 This is a large 24″ x 36″ floor puzzle of the world. 3 and up | |
Map of the USA Cost: $11.95 (link to buy) Why: A puzzle that gives children a geography lesson of the USA and includes national landmarks. Age: 4 and up | ||
State the Picture – Board Game Cost: $19.95 (link to buy) Why: Geography games that teaches about the 50 states. Includes creativity, drawing skills, memorization and imagination. Age: 8 and up | ||
Explore the World – Board Game Cost: $18.95 (link to buy) Why: Interactive game of country facts, traditions, and geography. exciting travel, trivia and activity. Age: 7 and up | ||
Globe Cost: $69.50 (link to buy) Why: Visual learning aid for global understandings with images of people, landmarks, animals, and more. Age: 5 and up | ||
Link to Source Sites | Social Sciences Cost: $6-$40 Why: An assortment of toys and tools to promote fun exploration of the social sciences (history and geography). Age: Depends on item (ranges from 3 and up) |
The violet room represents imagination, self-expression, and personal enrichment. Learning aids in this area will include a stage, costumes, and props. Books in this area will revolve around theater, arts, music, different trade skills, and self development. The subjects of Arts/Music and Trades and Values will also be a focus of this room. See these curriculum sections for ideas related to this room: Â Mindfulness and Fun and Collaboration and Cooperation. See also: Arts/Music and Trades and Values
One of the primary subjects for the Violet Room is Arts/Music, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to learning about music and instruments would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
The other primary subject for the Violet Room is Trades, so any toys, tools, and/or learning aids related to learning about trades and professions would fit well in this room. Cost and investment will depend on your budget and choices and can/should include all ages. | ||
Easel Cost: $165.78, $119.99 (link to buy) Why: Allows children to explore their creative side through art using chalk and markers. Also promotes thinking out loud and group problem solving using the board as a thinking pad. Age: 3 and up | ||
Finger Painting Cost: $20 (link to buy) Why: Allows child to explore art in a very connected fashion, touch goes into the creation. Age: All ages | ||
Instruments for kids Cost: $44 (link to buy) Why: An assortment of musical tools to explore sounds and create rhythm. Age: 3 and up | ||
Costumes Cost: $25-$55 (link to buy) Why: Expands imagination. Can be used for dress-up and pretend play. | ||
Squares of Different Colored Silks Cost: 35×35 inches $14.95 (link to buy) Why: Promotes imagination. Can be used for dress-up and pretend play. | ||
Link to Source Site | Modeling Clay Cost: 16 oz is $1.94 Why: Promotes self-expression and creates a connection between tactile and visual senses. | |
Colored Pen Set for Dry Erase Board Cost: $17.47 (link to buy) |
Here is a list of tools, toys, and learning aids we feel have the broadest application. Almost all of these are included above also. This simplified list is provided in order to reference many of the alternative-educational sources for the ideas and to share those items that have demonstrated to be most useful during Jae’s experience homeschooling with his own son.
This page will develop indefinitely as an open source and globally collaborative archive and source of information regarding the best teaching and learning tools and toys we can find and incorporate into the Education for Life Program. These tools and toys are meant to be used to tea
ch and learn the Curriculum for Life by combining them both with the Teaching Strategies for Life to create endless “Lesson Plans for Life.” Our goal with this system and site is to grow and evolve what we feel will be the most comprehensive, effective, and diversely applicable free-education program and resource archive in the world.
Q: What are your criteria for teaching tools and toy selection?
Q: How do I submit and idea or resource for this list?
Use our Suggestions Page.
Q: Will you be developing beyond what I see on this page now?
Yes, we will eventually develop this page to include links to suggestions for implementation as well as videos of the various tools and toys being used by the children in the Education for Life Program at One Community.
We're building a resource section. Click here if you have a suggestion or resource for this page.
Montessori | Waldorf | Orff | Reggio | Multi-Intelligence | Bloom's Taxonomy | Study Tech | I-WE
We're building this resource section. Click here if you have a suggestion or resource for this page.
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