LeapFrog Spin & Change Apple Shape Sorter with Accessories, Baby and Toddler Toys

This toy works as a toddler toy, but really, it introduces some complex geometic concepts. No, I'm not kidding! As you 'spin' the top half of the apple, the top half of a shape moves onto the next bottom-half shape. This means there is a ton of potential shapes. The top half and bottom half work together to make a full shape. In order to fit one of the shapes into the holes, children have to decide WHICH top %26 bottom half to align to make that particular shape. Again, there are a LOT of different shapes. This is a really clever toy to teach ATTRIBUTES in preschool and also to young primary school students. You can sort the shapes by color, for instance. You can also teach PREDICTION and SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY through this toy. Before the child spins the top half, model thinking aloud: "What shape do you think this top half will make if it is connect to that bottom half?" The colors are bright and the apple itself friendly %26 inviting. Of course this toy also teaches fine motor skills, as well as some depth perception as they try out a particular piece to see if it will fit inside a particular hole. ROTATING pieces may make the shape fit, as well as creating 'new' shapes by spinning the apple. My toddler son likes to play with this toy independently, but also with adult help because he had progress farther in forming %26 finding the correct shapes to push each shape piece into. The stickers are heat sealed or something like that, making them very strong. The toy is washable and strong, well-built especially in how half the apple spins to reveal new shapes. This toy would make a fantastic birthday gift, Christmas present, at-home learning project, or STEM project to do at a preschool!

This is very cute BUT not as easy as it looks. This is not for a baby but for a toddler or preschooler who understands that the shapes on the side can change. It is significantly harder than a typical shape sorter, which is great, unless you hand it to a much younger child who will likely throw it across the room in frustration