My name is Jennie and I am 36 years old. My blog is called Edspire. I wanted to write something educational and inspirational. That is how the name came about. Edspire was a teaching website when it first began, now … Continue reading
Search Results for: home education
Kimber Kids Play Stacker Review
This review is long overdue and for that I am truly sorry because this is such a lovely product and I am so proud to be able to tell you about it. The Play Stacker from Kimber Kids is a … Continue reading
Tis a Djeco Toyjeanius Puzzlement!
Back in July Esther and William were given some birthday money from their Great Uncle and Aunt. I decided to use it to buy them some puzzles from Toyjeanius. I chose three puzzles and a wooden shape sorting stacker.
The puzzles, by Djeco, have become firm favourites in our household and make great early morning activities.
We like to spend our puzzle time in the lounge in front of the log fire. It is a lovely way to start the day.
The first puzzle we call the tummy puzzle. The puzzle is made up of 10 animals with circles missing from their tummies’. There are also 10 coloured circles, each of which completes one of the animals.
Esther and William love matching the tummy to its owner. For some reason the black dog is their favourite animal, I honestly do not know why. This puzzle has helped Esther and William to identify their colours and to think about complimentary colours such as orange and yellow, and purple with pink. It is also teaching them to share and to work together!! This is very important for any toddler but even more so I think when you are a twin.
When Esther and William have finished playing with this puzzle they know to put it away straight away so as not to lose any of the pieces. We put each piece safely back into the box and as we do we say goodbye. Goodbye Owl, goodbye purple tummy. Goodbye Lion, goodbye orange tummy.
At first they could only complete the puzzle with the aid of an adult but now they can get it out, complete and put it away all on their own. A fantastic value for money present and would make a great Christmas stocking filler.
I feel the same about each of the three puzzles actually. They are so simple, so very pretty but also educational and great value for money. They foster independence in very young children and develop their language and social skills. I think they have been a fabulous find for our family.
The second puzzle, like the first, involves animals with bits missing from their bodies. This time each piece is not only differently coloured but also a different shape. This is another activity that has really helped to develop Esther and William’s vocabulary and their knowledge and understanding linked to shape, colour and pattern. They love this puzzle so much that they are now able to confidently place the octagon in the cows tummy and tell you what the polygon is called! That is good knowledge for any toddler, especially my premmie two year olds! I am one very proud mummy!
Esther and William also make links with this puzzle. For example, they know that the toucan in the puzzle is like one of the birds in the Night Garden. They know that the diamond in the penguin’s tummy is like the kite on their playroom wall. These Djeco puzzles are fun ways to extend toddler learning.
The third puzzle is again about animals and matching. This time you have to match the animal to its home.
The horse lives in the stable, the honey bee in a hive. When Esther and William first tried this puzzle back in August it was far too hard for them but now they can do it with ease. They have learned which animal belongs in which home. They can do it on their own!
Well, most of the time they can, when they are not distracted by the car mat!!
We have not been asked to review these puzzles from Djeco and Toyjeanius but with Christmas on the way I thought I would share them with you as they would be perfect stocking fillers for younger toddlers.
Priced at £6.95 they would make great little gifts from Santa too.
Each of the three puzzles is available to buy at www.toyjeanius.co.uk.
Bump Watch: The Baby Show Countdown – 5 Sleeps To Go!
This Friday I am attending The Baby Show at London Excel. I am very excited about blogging from the event and also shopping for Matilda May. Matilda is due in a little over 10 weeks and so I am starting … Continue reading
Zu3D Launches Studio 3 – Time to Animate!
Tomorrow is the first day of BETT 2012 at London Olympia. For four days technology companies will be promoting and selling their wares to the education sector. This year the show is promising to be full of innovative and inspirational … Continue reading
Edspire Festive Forecast: My Wonder Cube!
If you are looking for a last minute present for a baby or toddler I have the perfect gift recommendation for you, My Wonder Cube. My Wonder Cube is an innovative learning toy for babies and toddlers. My Wonder Cube … Continue reading
Edspire Festive Forecast: Fairies and Friends Picture Matching Game
I have an almost four year old Goddaughter who I am never sure what to buy for at Christmas. This year though I think I may have found the answer with Fairies and Friends. Fairies and Friends sell a wonderful … Continue reading
Press A Letter Button! A Toyologist Review for Toys R Us
We have just returned from ten days in Spain, on our post wedding family moon. Esther and William were so excited to be home and amongst their own things including all their toys again. I did not think before we … Continue reading
Ping and Pong Book Review
A few weeks ago I was sent two books by the children’s author Amy Trevaskus. I had no idea what to expect when offering to review for her but am now so pleased that I responded to her tweets. I … Continue reading
Work With Me
As a 40 year old, home educating, mummy of four (with baby 5 on the way!) with a first class honours degree in Primary Education this blog is about learning
Learning to be a good parent, a good person
Learning how to run a house and make a house a home
Learning how to live after the death of a child
Learning to live healthily
Helping my children to learn through play
Learning every day about who we are and the world that we live in
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me
For questions about this blog, please contact jennie@edspire.co.uk
This blog is written from the heart and has no real planning or structure
I write what is in my heart, my head, each day
Edspire will be seven years old this year
It started the same summer that Esther and William were born
I am very proud of the record I have created of our family life to date
I am also proud to work with brands and businesses that mean a lot to me
I would love to take this further
I accept product reviews, giveaways and sponsored posts on this blog
I would love to work with family focused companies who share my interests and passions
Stories, books, learning and games
Theatre, cinema, adventures and fun
Wooden toys
Woods and trees
Imaginative, sensory and messy play
Pregnancy, breastfeeding
Family days out in and around Kent
Making magical memories
Working with charities including The Lullaby Trust, Bliss and Kicks Count
All reviews and sponsored posts will be clearly labelled but content and opinions will be mine unless stated otherwise
If you would like to work with me
I would love to hear from you
jennie@edspire.co.uk
BRANDS I WORK WITH 2017