I had seen these products around for years, but it wasn't until I was trying to figure out what to get for my fifth child (who has so many things around to play with anyway) for Christmas that decided to go ahead and get one. It has proved to be a big hit with all six of my children, ages 1-10. Two weeks after he opened it, I'm still having to monitor arguments about who gets to use it next, and I'm considering getting a cursive one for my older children since they've enjoyed it so much (and could use some review on the right way to form some letters). The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I really wish the magnetic pen were attached (we temporarily lost it within 30 minutes of opening). I added a string and a couple narrow strips of duct tape which has solved that problem, but I wish there was a less tacky solution.
I just also purchased both the upper and lower case cursive hand writing alphabet ones for my children (5 1/2, 8 and 10 year olds) and for my daycare (2 1/2-5 year olds). They love the magnetic aspect and their interest is held for quite some time (they’ll practice on these for anywhere from a 1/2 hour to an hour just for fun)! These are highly effective in encouraging and establishing pre-cursive writing skills, basic fine motor skills and refining existing writing skills, at each stage of development for the age groups I’ve mentioned above. I wish I’d had these when I was overseeing the preschool and lower school curriculum for two private schools for five years prior to starting my daycare/homeschool co-op. I’ve had these- upper and lower case alphabet handwriting ones for a number of years (before purchasing the cursive ones now as well) they are a favorite amongst the children I care for and they still look practically new. My youngest has been writing (handwriting) all the letters of the alphabet since she was 3 1/2, greatly due to these products, in conjunction with handwriting work sheets and “write and wipe” products, after her introduction to handwriting using these products (the same goes for the children in my care). She’s already writing cursive letters of her own volition after using the cursive ones for only a few days, with no other cursive writing practice sources. I highly recommend these!
I am an occupational therapist working in a school, mostly helping kids with handwriting. I use this often to help my students with letter formation. I love that it gives them sensory input as they're forming their letters and when they're pushing the beads back in, and they can work on their finger isolation when pushing them back in (also in the correct letter formation). And the kids love it, so it's a win-win.
I have been using this in my elementary classroom. I love that it gives my students tactile feedback in forming their letters in a size that is closer to what they write than sandpaper letters or other tools that give similar sensory experiences.
This toy is awesome! I bought it for my 7 year old who needs some extra help with handwriting. This toy is super cool and he loves it! My 3 and 1 year olds love it as well.
I'll be honest... as an adult I found myself playing with it for about 15 minutes.... its pretty neat!
Feature Product
- A magnetic stylus is the pen, the bead board the paper, your finger the eraser; the pull of the magnet engages sense memory in early writing lessons
- Explore creativity and learning with sensory-reinforced play; the stylus pulls the beads to the surface with a solid click revealing your creation
- Learn letters and numbers, uppercase and lower, print and cursive; trace the numbered arrows as the stylus pulls the beads up to form a solid line
- Push the beads down with a finger or the pen side to erase and start over; the beads are completely self-contained and do not come out of the board
- Made from the highest quality ABS, with a storage slot for the stylus, for ages 3+
Description
The Magnatab is a wonderful learning tool that provides an immersive, early writing lesson. Explore creating letters and numbers in a sensory-reinforced activity that allows children to process information and develop understanding through their eyes, ears and fingertips. Following the directional arrows, use the magnetized pen to trace over the letters or numbers and the beads will pop to the surface with an audible click revealing the shape. Press them back down with your finger or the pen and start over. Made from the highest quality materials, the magnet never comes out of the pens and the balls are completely self-contained and stay securely in the board. The engaging Magnatab is ideal for kids to use on their own as they learn their ABCs and 123s and master the art of penmanship
Kid O Toys, the leader in contemporary developmental and educational toys, makes learning look like child's play. Dedicated to child enrichment through toys that promote and nurture creativity and discovery, we make toys that are designed to delight and engineered to endure. With open-ended play that engage young minds, set imaginations free and celebrate a child's innate brilliance. At Kid O, safety is paramount. Always PVC, phthalate, BPA and lead free, our toys are tested by independent laboratories and conform to all US and European standards.
I love these boards! My 3 year old has a speech delay but is learning to read and write. Her therapists were impressed by this toy and she will play with it for up to an hour. The only minor downside is trying to keep track of the magnetic pen that you absolutely need to use this. We lost one but ordered a replacement for $4.
Great educational tool. If you are deciding between the lower case and upper case, definitely get the lower case. Biggest pet peeve of grade school teachers is children start school knowing most upper case letters but not the lower case. Children should be learning the lower case first and then the upper case when they go into kindergarden
I have bought this toy in upper and in lower case because I think it's so great. My one-year-old loves to just pop the magnets up and then push them down, and my three-year-old actually traces the letters in a purposeful way. Often when my three-year-old has quiet time in the afternoon, she will sit in her bed and play with the two Magnatabs and nothing else. Even if she doesn't actually learn to write letters from these toys, I feel like the degree to which both of my kids enjoy the process of getting the magnets to pop up and go down and the fact that they are becoming more familiar with letters in the process makes this a toy worth owning.
Video games don't build hand muscles, so you still need these 'old school' tools to help with poor handwriting. You need to put pressure using the magnet-tipped pen on the pad for the magnets to pick up the steel beads. Warning; don't let the kids get it wet - the beads will rust.
Always one of the favorite learning toy
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