Cups and buckets
Cups and buckets are usually the easiest form of stacking and sorting to begin with. Choose large, well-made cups in a variety of colours and they will more than earn their keep through their versatility.
Tolo's new Rainbow Stacker consists of seven variously coloured plastic pots with soft, rubberised textures on the rims to encourage tactile exploration and differently shaped bases. The largest pot measures 9cm in diameter and the smallest is 6.5cm. Designed to be used indoors and out, the pots are ideal for water play. Priced 8.
Telephone 08700 129090
www.mailorderexpress.com
A set of five wooden cups made from renewably sourced birch and painted with non-toxic paints, can be used for simple stacking activities or be incorporated into role-play and other games. Priced 14.50 from Holz, which also stocks a Nest of Boxes (bottom left) made from the same wood and painted in primary colours. The base of the largest measures 14cm and each box makes a different sound when tapped. Priced 29.50.
Telephone 0845 130 8697
www.holz-toys.co.uk
Stackers and sorters
The Wooden Stacking Rainbow (right), made from renewably sourced wood and painted with water-based dye and pure vegetable oil, is relatively easy to stack but provides a sense of achievement in the small tower that it creates. Priced 16.50 from Smilechild.
Telephone 0800 1956 982
www.smilechild.co.uk
This traditional stacking ring from Eduzone is made from wood and has nine rings in three colours of varying tones, so it could be used to enhance a discussion on colour as well as forming part of your sorting and stacking repertoire. The stacking pole is topped off with a jolly-faced man wearing a hat. Priced 10.95 from Eduzone. Also in this range is the Cone Sorter. This consists of nine pieces (four inside), in shades of orange through to yellow, that have to be put into the correct sequence to fit the cone shape. Priced 12.95. Both items are made from rubberwood from renewable sources and are preservative free.
Telephone 08456 445 556
www.eduzone.co.uk
Holz has a Stacking Tower with something missing! Each of the six differently coloured rings on the tower (above) slot together on a base without the need for a central pole. This allows children to vary the shape of the structure and the colour patterns. The tower measures 4-10cm in diameter and is priced Pounds 10.
Contacts as before.
Asco's Counting Friends stacker can be adjusted to vary the degree of difficulty involved in completing the activity. The stacker consists of four interlocking base pieces that are numbered one to four. These pieces are interchangeable and so can be set up logically or mixed up for a greater challenge. There are also ten conically shaped 'friends' in four colours. Again, these can be stacked according to colour or mixed up. The set is made from replenishable wood, priced 11.50. Also new from Asco is the Wiggly Woody. This consists of a sturdy base board and just five 'caterpillar' segments that can be stacked and turned to make the creature lean in different directions - good for developing a sense of balance. Priced 13.50 each.
Telephone 0113 2707070 www.ascoeducational.co.uk
Stacking sounds
Children who need extra encouragement to develop their stacking and sorting skills may find stackers that emit noises and have interesting textures enticing.
Tolo's new Sneezy Stacker, which forms part of the Sneezy Dragon character range, is a soft, plush fabric creature with three stacking rings, (rather like spare abdominal tyres) round his middle. A variety of different textures are incorporated into this stacker as well as a squeaker, a rattle, bells and crinkle sounds. A surprise sound is also emitted from the central column when it is shaken. Sneezy measures 36cm in height and is machine washable. Priced 22.
Contacts as before.
The Discover Sounds Stackin' Pans set comes with a rocking base and a 'glowing burner' that lights up and makes cooking sounds. As different pots and pans are stacked on to the burner appropriate sound effects occur: the frying pan emits a sizzling sound; the pots bubble and boil. Stackin' Pans comes with a base, a frying pan, two differently sized cooking pots with lids and a bowl, all of which can be stacked in different combinations.
Batteries are included and the set is priced around 10.
Telephone 0800 521 558
www.littletikes.com
Construction
The stacking skills that children develop gradually extend to enable them to enjoy more complicated construction that demands a greater degree of manual dexterity. There are plenty of stacking toys available to bridge the gap between these skills.
The Stacker from Holz has a three-pronged wooden base measuring 23cm in width and comes with a large assortment of brightly coloured triangles, cubes, circles and semi-circles that can be built up on the prongs in an infinite variety of ways. The set is priced 27.50.
Contacts as before.
STACKING TIPS
Stacking and sorting toys are such a familiar part of the equipment armoury that you could be forgiven for underestimating their value but, in addition to their function in 'free' play, you can use them as an aid when you interact with the children.
4 Children as young as seven to nine months can practise their pincer grip technique with sorting and stacking rings, so be sure to give them access to this type of equipment.
4 It's tempting to provide just one of everything but it's extremely useful to duplicate the sorting/stacking equipment that you buy so you can create 'models' to be copied.
4 Use the equipment as an aid to language development by discussing ways you can sort and stack the items, such as by colour, shape or size.
