Smartmax My First Totem

SmartMax My First Totem - 7 magnetic pieces, 24 patterns

My First Totem is the first toy I've ever owned by Smartmax. The packaging reminds me of Foxmind products, but they don't appear to be related. Do you think my "first" totem means there will be a second?

There is one base and seven magnetic pieces in the box. The pieces stick (magnetic) to each other and to the base, although you don't see any magnets. You can pick up the base with several pieces and turn it upside-down and the pieces won't fall off. The pieces also have something inside them that makes them rattle a little if you shake them. The green block is about 1 5/8" square.

There are 12 pattern cards and 24 patterns altogether, one per side. The pattern cards are numbered and increase in difficulty as you go. The cards start with one piece and the base and they gradually add one more piece at a time. There are opportunities to orient pieces as some are placed upside-down or sideways.

Try this:

• Play with the pieces before you start. Show how pieces stick to each another because of the magnet.
• Look over the cards before you start to play. Point out how the same piece can look different on different cards.
• Solve in order to increase the difficulty gradually.
• Use a plain piece of paper and cover everything above the one piece you are adding. Then move it up to reveal the next piece.
• Use the word "stack" if the individual wants to build from the top down.
• Look at a pattern card and memorize the sequence. Rehearse it several times verbally to help you remember. Cover the card and stack the pieces. Check the card to see if you are correct.
• Start by presenting the pieces needed, one at a time, in the order needed to build. Then present two pieces so the individual will need to choose the correct piece, then three, etc.
• Place the pieces in different orientations (upside-down, sideways, etc.) on the table before starting. After picking up each piece, the individual will have the opportunity to manually orient it before placement.

In the box: 7 pieces, 1 base, 12 pattern cards (24 patterns)
 

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog - With 12 removable quill pegs

I looked at Spike the Hedgehog several times over the years. Only recently did the price drop enough for me to take the plunge. Learning Resources is a great brand and I use quite a few of their products because of the quality, durability and whimsical themes that kids love.

Spike the Hedgehog has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon from almost 7,600 people. With that said, let me point out a couple of things about it that surprised me. First, the blue and brown plastic pieces are not made from the heavier-duty plastic that a lot of their toys are made of. Second, the "soft" quills, as they describe them, are made out of a plastic that I can actually smash at the top if I pinch them between my fingers. I don't know why they rated this as 18+ months because you could chew on the quills, with teeth, and could get bits and pieces in your mouth. With that said, if you are not working with a chewer, you may like it.

The hedgehog measures about 7" from toe to tail. It is made of two pieces, brown and blue, and is empty inside. Store the quills inside, snapping the blue piece on top to keep the quills together with the hedgehog. 

The blue piece has 12 holes and they are numbered 1-12, with a raised number by each hole. The numbers are in order: numbers 1-4 in the first row, 5-8 in the second row, and 9-12 in the third row. You can also stand the blue piece on the table, without the brown piece, and add all the quills.

There are 12 quills in four colors: 3 green, 3 red, 3 purple, 3 orange.

Try this:

• Sort by color. Place all red, then all green, etc. Reinforce the color by saying the color out loud as you push in each peg.
• Place the quills in in any order, picking up one quill in each hand and putting them in at the same time, by 2s.
• Call a number and a color. For instance, place a purple quill in number 3.
• Place the colors in randomly, in number order. Count out loud as you add each one to a hole.
• Place one peg, upside-down in the individual's hand. Ask them to turn it in-hand to orient and place in the hedgehog.
• Place the pegs randomly in the holes. Ask the individual what color is in a hole by calling out the number.
• Put the pieces away by color. Place the blue piece on the table and add the quills randomly. Pull out all red and place in the brown piece for storage. Then all green, then all purple, etc. Say each color out loud as you pull them out to reinforce color names. Try to hold all three of one color in the same hand as you pull them out. Alternate hands when you switch colors.
• Place all the quills randomly in the holes. Ask the individual to look for all red pegs and tell you what number holes they are in.
• Put the quills in by color, three pegs each in four columns.
• Put a treat in the hedgehog and snap the blue lid on. Play games. When the blue lid is taken off to put the quills away, the individual will find the treat.
• Use the opportunity to talk about the hedgehog, since it may not be a familiar animal to some kids.
• Put the quills on the tabletop. Add the pegs to the blue piece by color. Pick up all 3 of one color in one hand, then place them all in the blue piece with the same hand, trying not to drop any. 

In the box: 2 piece hedgehog, 12 quills

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.