(Part 2) Best electronic learning & education toys according to redditors
We found 260 Reddit comments discussing the best electronic learning & education toys. We ranked the 135 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
Hey nicely done Caleb! I’m sure as a gamer parent youre already aware of some of the awesome speech games/activities out there, so I don’t wanna overstep my bounds here! However, if he responds to matching games I’d suggest checking out some of the Super Duper Inc./ Webber Illustrated sets of cards! I’d start with the “Minimal Pairs” deck because they’re perfect for some of his phonological speech errors.
Here’s an amazon link to a $20 deck: Webber Illustrated Phonology "Fronting" Minimal Pair Card Deck - Super Duper Educational Learning Toy for Kids https://www.amazon.com/dp/1586503928/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4W5YAbYTQSCGJ
Great video!
Hi!
>A bit disjointed, no direction, I just have to let some out.
This has happened to all of us. It will change.
> Our first indication of something needing addressed was the fact that he wasn't talking. When I express this to people close to us, they seemed to think oh he must be using baby talk or can say momma and dadda. Nope. None of that. Not even assigning nonsense words that we could decipher. I personally did not think this was a big deal, I didn't start talking until 3. However, tons of people around me told me to talk to our PCP and get him speech therapy. Ok, what could it hurt?
> Our PCP informed us that she was going to set up an evaluation. I assumed a basic inventory of his health and hearing, blood tests, etc. What I did not expect was a full battery of experts. The day lasted nearly 6 hours. 5 different experts, MDs and PhDs, and many other initialed experts among them. I was pretty impressed with their demeanor, much of the time was spent "playing" and observing. Questions and directions. I did not realize from what looked to be pretty simple process how much info was gained and being interpreted.
> The indicators. At first, it seemed ridiculous. I'm certain based on my son's demeanor they had arrived at their conclusion before much evidence was present. Examples, when playing with cars, the minute he rolled a wheel, they asked us if he does this often or with other objects. Nope. Just loves rolling cars about-like a normal kid! They informed me that he did not like stacking blocks-he preferred lining them up. Ok.... He stacks them all the time at home. Last doc we visited with seemed especially keen on his habits, noting he only chose the cars, ignoring everything else. Asked us if he flaps, nope. Upon wrapping up, he gathered the cars (very gently, not in a mean way) and of course our son gets mad. "That's flapping!" An immediate reaction, I was surprised this wasn't "normal" for a two-year-old? Doc said it with such authority I didn't question it.
Your evaluation was performed in the best possible way. Our twins were evaluated along that procedure (ADOS-2 probably). Since your kid doesn't talk yet probably you will need a second evaluation in the future. Our ST made us wait before evaluating our kids (like or pediatrician, he also suspected at least one of them had ASD). His approach was to produce a communication channel before the evaluation to have a better assessment. After the long evaluation, kids were diagnosed with 18 and 22 on the ADOS scale. This put them above the Asperger range, but at a mostly functional range. Our neurologist (the head of the evaluation team) told us that this evaluation was their last. No further evaluation was needed.
> On the drive home, my emotions ranged. First, these guys don't know my boy. It seemed like they made a big deal about everything. How could they have gathered enough info to make such a huge diagnosis???
Because they are trained, they know where to look. The other positive point is your boy is very young so all the symptoms are there to catch and no bias because of age is present. So it is easier to pinpoint the level, and produce a set of 'countermeasures' through early intervention to make him feel better about the world and himself.
> Eventually, I realized, I do know my boy. I know him deeply. He reminds me of myself. Him playing with little pieces of carpet in a room full of toys, me sitting down in the outfield playing with grass instead of playing T-ball. Intent on his particular toys, as I was with my Legos. In his own world. Throwing the blankets off at night, perhaps this is a skin sensitivity? Banging random objects, is that stimming? This and more, many more little signs...they add up.
You know a part of him, but being autistic there is another part that is hidden behind a veil and you can't access to it and he cannot explain to you that yet. One book (recommended here) that I found quite enlighten is The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism. You can read it in an hour.
Also, I also told the psychologist interviewing my wife and I that my kids remind me of myself as I shared some traits with them. She told me, they were the ones being evaluated and whatever similarity was not relevant to them. Thus, don't overcomplicate yourself, try to build from your shared traits upwards to guide him into a fulfilling life.
> And I well up. I love my boy. He isn't a set of signs or indicators. How do they have the temerity to think they can assign labels or know what he is? I know WHO he is. And I worry. About programs that aim to "normalize" him. About teachers who may not give him the benefit of the doubt or the opportunity to excel. I worry that a diagnosis may hold him back and instead of building him up they'll remove his essence. Family who sees him differently.
Acceptance will come, but this doesn't mean you won't demand them to excel. Yet, you need to know his boundaries and be very aware of his strength. I wrote a lot about my kids here. Every kid is different, so you have to look for yourself.
Our twins are 4 y/o now. They started ST at 2.5, then moved to an inclusive school (50%ASD-50%NT) with ST, OT and PECS oriented classroom. This environment has helped a lot to develop their spoken language, feel more comfortable around people, and communicate their needs. You NEED every therapy available NOW.
Our neurologist told us the following: "if you do nothing now, they can go to a regular school without problems. They will adapt, but you won't have the best version of themselves. If you support them in every possible way, go to [this type of school] then you will drive your kids to become the best they want to be.
But for you, doing this will be the hardest five years of your life. So, you need psychological support and live a healthier life. You need to be there, every hour for your kid now."
So we took the second option.
Our kids, can speak now (not with the fluidity of a 4 y/o) and communicate most of their needs. Their tantrums and quirks are mostly contained (they appear when they are really tired or anxious). They are very clever kids, that love numbers, words, and music.
They excel at numbers: count from 1 to 30 (understand the symbols and their relation to quantities) in Spanish (mother language) and English. They can do basic sums (without finger counting) and now they are learning subtraction. They also have a strong interest in words: know the full ABC (some letters from the English pronunciation), read some words, understand words in English (colors and shapes; also many animals), and now they are learning to construct words from syllable.
We are using iPads to strengthen these areas. I bought them Tiggly when they were very young (two years ago) and this fourth birthday (yesterday) they received Osmo's Genius Kit. They loved the Tangram because puzzle-solving is one thing they love to do a lot (and this is in another level).
> I don't know the future. I only know that we will exercise agency in every decision along the way. We will advocate for rights and opportunity. We will be better than our parents. He will not be called "doofus" or "f-ggot." I'll hug the sht out of him but never hit him. He's our boy dammit, I love him, and that's all that matters.
Nobody knows the future, even us 'normal' people.
What you feel about parenthood is what I felt, even before knowing they had ASD. The thing you mention may even happen to a regular kid with special interest, whether has ASD or not. In our special case, we need to learn about ASD to approach to learning in the best possible way for the mind of our sons.
Be patient, It will be better.
EDIT: grammar.
If you're looking for an easy-to-use convertible laptop/tablet with a nice keyboard, look no further: https://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-80-600900-2-in-1-LeapTop-Touch/dp/B06XNQDR8J
One of these I believe
https://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Kids-Animated-Tropical-Aquarium/dp/B00NEU8UO6
My son is 14 months and at that age loved (and still loves) balls, books, his remote control and take along tunes. This activity table is also awesome.
https://www.amazon.com/Abdtech-Rechargeable-Shockproof-Including-Birthday/dp/B07TVD5RNX
We are going to be in the same boat soon, but a shorter flight.
Ours is newly obsessed with buckles so we got him a buckle buddy
The other toy that keeps him entertained the longest is a laptop he got for Xmas... but I don’t think it has a headphone jack
how long is the drive?
When we travelled with our 10 month old, we found the following helped:
A hanging toy on the seat. This is the one we bought
A remote/phone toy. Our son always loves going right for our phones or the remote control so we bought this
I dont think movies are a good idea, as they'll get bored relatively quickly because they can't really make sense of what is happening.
If your 11 mo can sleep in the car seat, plan on long stretches during naptime or night. Its best to travel while they sleep for everyone.
Our longest drive was 6 hours, and we did a 2 hour drive at naptime, stop to feed, 1-2 hours awake, stop to feed/roam around outside (for like an hour, gotta give him energy burning time), nap time again for the last 2 hours or so.
Here's something that looks like what you describe: Leap Frog Turbo Twist. It comes in different varieties, including Spelling, Math, and Quiz.
My boys just got this for their birthday with some extra cars and a tractor.
They also play with this together a lot.
Gifts for Babies/Toddlers
Spin and Learn Color FlashlightShapes & Sharing Picnic BasketTurn & Learn DriverSingin’ Soccer BallGifts for Mom
Gifts for Dad
Gifts for Grandma
Grandma Keepsake BoxGifts for Grandpa
Our toddler has been obsessed with this LeapFrog picnic basket for at least a year, which is a pretty good run.
LeapFrog Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket (Frustration Free Packaging), Pink
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DCWM1M8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_F6z1Db217YYX7
For the 4 month old, toys that build sensory awareness are really good. Things like balls with different textures, different sizes, etc. There is a seahorse that Fisher Price makes that plays music that both my kids loved at that age. They make blue and pink.
For the 1 year olds, I got LeapFrog's Scout/Violet for each of my children on their first birthdays. They were hits with both of them (in fact my 4 year old still plays with her Violet every now and then). Scout is the boy version, Violet is the girl version. They can be personalized with the child's name and it is incorporated into songs that are played and little activities. It's very cool.
For the 20 month old, you could get this Twilight Turtle Constellation Night Light. Each of my children have one (4 yrs and 17 months) and it's a must have at bedtime for each of them. My daughter was so impressed by it, she named hers "wow" and that name has stuck (she's the 4 yo). You could also get the LeapFrog My First Leaptop. Again, both my kids love this (although we only have one and it's my daughter's, my son steals it frequently to play with himself).
Also, I did those recordable books from Hallmark as gifts when my daughter was a year old and she loves them very much. You could do one for your son. They are pretty cool.
Hope this helps!
Hi,SusanBKahn
Congratulations! I am going to put your sub in our sidebar, hence people that need the information can find the site. I should have already added your sub and I do, apologize for this unpleasant situation. Nevertheless, the dyslexic nerd is geared more toward articles and other (SLD) related content. The grammar and spelling post are awkward; therefore, we can only allow the ones with audio. You have to consider that many of us have serious impairments with our phonological awareness. However, videos with audio are ALWAYS appreciated, even then; I still need a Toobaloo. Thanks for understanding our struggle, and I look forward to your videos.
Do you have a description of your subreddit? This will help me with the sidebar information.
/u/1000100001
These are a few things we bought for my nephew when he was that age, and he loved them.
B. Alphaberry - $17.95
P'kolino Geared Robot Shape Sorter - $20.17
Farmers Market Color Sorting Set - $24.65
You can look at something like an activity table.
Toobaloo. https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Toobaloo-Auditory-Feedback-Phone/dp/B00R56CJ0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496453423&sr=8-1&keywords=hear+myself+sound+phone
Maybe not quite old enough, but when she is this toy is a hit with my LO that gets bored easily. He's a stage 5 clinger, so I can't put him down and let him play by himself, but hopefully soon he'll grow out of it. Its a great toy to suction cup to their highchair tray or one of those floor seats with a tray.
VTech Baby Lil' Critters Spin and Discover Ferris Wheel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TH0NMTU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jaqeAb2R9R8J1
I have a lot, just because we alternated toys a lot (helped keep his interest better and some were car-only):
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Einstein-Along-Tunes-Musical/dp/B000YDDF6O/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474314142&sr=8-4&keywords=baby%2Btoys&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Natorytian-30933-Baby-Einstein-Octoplush/dp/B000TFLAZA/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474314142&sr=8-5&keywords=baby+toys
https://www.amazon.com/Ball-1-Piece-Rattle-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00CL2H1U2/ref=sr_1_10_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474314142&sr=8-10&keywords=baby+toys
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Einstein-Discover-Play-Piano/dp/B007Z0JBM6/ref=sr_1_111_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474314194&sr=8-111&keywords=baby+toys
https://www.amazon.com/VTech-Baby-Critters-Discover-Ferris/dp/B00TH0NMTU/ref=sr_1_113?ie=UTF8&qid=1474314194&sr=8-113-spons&keywords=baby+toys&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Explore-Around-Hedgehog/dp/B00LZKC5BQ/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474314279&sr=8-1&keywords=hedgehog+rattle
And even at 16 months, he still plays with a few of these. Namely those that make sounds.
My kid is obsessed with this thing. The legs are removable so we keep it on the floor in front of her. Thanks to this toy, I'm finally able to take showers and poop without having to wait for another adult to watch her.
My daughter is 3 months old now and LOVES this light up fish tank. She will stare at it in awe for several minutes. It also helps her to relax when she is a little overwhelmed.
Discovery Kids Animated Tropical Fish Marine Aquarium Lamp With Auto Shut Off https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEU8UO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_XtF8wb8TFNT6R
Playskool Roll 'n Gears Car https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3T3JXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_08OGzb0TECWAV
VTech Click and Count Remote https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GYBEF3C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_N9OGzbPXPEQ4X
VTech Baby Talk and Go Farm Rattle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NDL1GG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_q.OGzb63X1H7N
BUCKLE TOY "Bizzy" - Toddler Early Learning Basic Life Skills Children’s Plush Travel Activity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GCH6D2E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2.OGzbZJ567H2
My son also loves straws, the lid to his snack cup, spoons, small board books, and hot wheels cars.
We actually got him this for Christmas which isn't terribly large and he hasn't been given the chance to play with it yet, but should be fun in the hotel hall since it's not very big: http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Smart-Shots-Sports-Center/dp/B00KG3WYI2
Just chiming in as someone who received three Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Puppies and two Leapfrog picnic baskets last year you may also want to consider making a suggested wish list for family and friends on Amazon with ideas of things you could use. Again, not to be gift grabby but in case anyone asks and wants suggestions that way you can maybe avoid multiple of the same popular toys of the season. That way too you can put a variety of things such as clothes, books, diapers, and toys so there are options. Something I am considering for this year!
Could you set up an Amazon Wishlist with it on there? It's $15 on there and I'd be happy to buy you a new one.
Btw, does your son have one of these? Mine does. It's a year old, it's batteries are dying, we have no replacements and there is a blizzard. It's on an endless loop of languishing, distorted creepiness. I'm about to drown it.
This thing is cheap, easy to use, and helped my kid learn his alphabet.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O6GEW4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687622&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00471FMO2&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BJH2X53PW9CQ55XNFY0
A color-it-yourself playhouse my mother got one of these for my girls when they were 4, and they loved it! And they've loved hiding in cardboard boxes since they were 2!
So they will be kept busy coloring (with this model, I'm pretty sure the backside is the same decoration as the frontside, so the smaller child can scribble to her heart's content without "messing up" the older child's artwork.
Then they can play inside it! Just toss a blanket and a few cushions inside and they're all set!
Also, you can set up nibble trays - icecube trays with a few bites of different fruits/snacks that they can nibble - just nothing chokeable for the two-year-old, I guess?
At that age you could spend $200 on something for yourself and then give her the box it came in! That actually gives me an idea! http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Kids-Cardboard-Color-House/dp/B0045H4GNG You could color it with her.
I absolutely hate toys with batteries. I hate, hate, hate them. If it's a musical instrument that she's making the noise for, that doesn't bother me. Electronic noise kills me though. She had one stupid robot that some in-laws got her ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003CRJU36?pc_redir=1406026366&robot_redir=1) but she's only allowed to play with that by herself. She does have a Leap Pad but that is for quiet time or long car trips with headphones.
My daughter loved Alphie. It's educational, but there's lots of squeaky, robot noises. And you can change the volume from loud to louder.
We got him a crawl-to-sit-to-stand toy. Specifically, this. In the hopes that he plays with it for like a year. Last year we bought our 1-year-old a VTech train set that he didn't touch for 11 months and now plays with CONSTANTLY. It's a crapshoot.
https://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-LeapPad2-LeapPad1-LeapsterGS-Leapster2/dp/B000FGCY8K
The standard connector is this
http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-LeapPad2-LeapPad1-LeapsterGS-Leapster2/dp/B000FGCY8K
but I'm wondering if this monoprice generic will work the same way?
I had one of these trying to be like a bop it
Your welcome! Yeah this isn’t a game specifically for help with speech development. It’s just the game Caleb wanted to show off.
Further up in the comments u/RansomMan suggested a game that may be useful.
> ...if he responds to matching games I’d suggest checking out some of the Super Duper Inc./ Webber Illustrated sets of cards! I’d start with the “Minimal Pairs” deck because they’re perfect for some of his phonological speech errors.
>
>Here’s an amazon link to a $20 deck: Webber Illustrated Phonology "Fronting" Minimal Pair Card Deck - Super Duper Educational Learning Toy for Kids https://www.amazon.com/dp/1586503928/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4W5YAbYTQSCGJ
EDIT: face palm for not spelling “you’re” correctly.