Wooden sorter for children

Sorter - one of the most popular educational toys for kids, which should be in every home, and yet even about such a useful and versatile thing you can find negative reviews. However, this is due not so much to the poor characteristics of the sorter as a whole, but to the wrong choice of model. In order for the purchased gift to really fascinate the child and bring him benefit, it is necessary to sort out in more detail what it is and how to choose it.

The first sorter was invented a long time ago, more than a hundred years ago, and since then has become a crucial element in the development of children in the early stages. The essence of the toy is to to classify items according to a certain attribute - most often according to shape and size, which for greater clarity may be underlined by a different color. This sorter is somewhat similar to the classic pyramids and dolls, however, the radical difference is that the pyramid can be assembled in any order, the collection of dolls does not require the inclusion of all elements, and only the sorter implies only one assembly scenario - the correct one.

In other words, if there is a figure that needs to be inserted into a hole of a similar shape, then it simply will not fit into any other hole, as well as the slot intended for it cannot be filled with any other figure. Of course, there are also such sorter, where this rule is not strictly observed, however, they are considered to be incomplete.

Initially, all sorter were wooden, but in the 30s of the XX century the company Fisher Price began the serial production of this toy from plastic, and today most of the range is made of this material.

If we talk about the specific advantages of the sorter as a developing toy, then the following points should be highlighted:

• For adults, the task proposed by the sorter seems extremely simple and even boring. However, this toy is usually given to tiny babies who have little or no understanding of the laws of the world. With the help of the sorter, they learn to distinguish between the same and different objects, as well as to determine by eye the correctness or irregularity, compatibility or incompatibility of certain combinations of parts. Elementary concepts about color and form, as well as quantity, are formed; skills of analysis, comparison and classification are developed. It turns out that the primitive, at first glance, task is very conducive to the development of thinking.

• The kid owns his own hands much worse than even a preschooler, therefore, such exercises are very useful for developing fine hand motor skills and general coordination of movements. Separate, as it were, a side effect of muscle development is an improved articulation of speech, since the complex task stimulates the child’s mental activity and encourages him to try to discuss the problem with his elders.
• Sorter contributes to the improvement of a number of psychological aspects among which attention and the ability to focus on one thing for a long time, which requires immobility, stand out. Among other things, diligence is developed - children quite quickly realize that the task is not so unsolvable, therefore they are struggling to reach the victorious end without outside help.Achieving a successful result, by the way, has a positive effect on self-esteem and mood, and these factors are important even in one or two years of age.

• Among other things, the sorter is practical and safe in one package. The practicality lies in the fact that the child seems to be just playing, and in fact acquires a lot of useful knowledge and skills that will definitely come in handy in life. Security lies in the fact that often children's attempts to learn about the world around them are dangerous, first of all - for the children themselves, while this educational toy carries away, but does not harm, even theoretically.
• Figures from the sorter can be used for other game purposes. - for example, as figured sand molds or stencils for drawing.

Although the principle of operation of the sorter is very simple, the variety of existing models is very large, just caused by the width of the range is not the difference of the mechanism, and the breadth of design ideas. Pyramid is perceived by many as a kind of sorting device, which is not quite true, but a real sorter is also not necessarily a classic cube. To absolutely interest the child, you need to give the product a toy look, so its body can look like a labyrinth, circus, house or train. Very complex structures are also produced, for example, a wheelchair combined with a sorter, a sort of sorter on wheels. The pinnacle of complexity and diversity is the sorting table that can really take the baby for several hours.

However, by the principle of action sorter also differ - according to this indicator, they are conventionally divided into models, the details of which are thrust inwards or worn on top. In the first case, the figures are inserted into the base, provided with slots of the corresponding form, whereas in the second case, these same figures, on the contrary, are put on special pins. The first variety is a priori more diverse, since it allows variation in terms of the shape of the base and the figures, different number of holes, “bonuses” in the form of a hammer for hammering or a cord for pulling, and even light-noise effects.

“Pull-ups” are not so versatile, they are classified only according to the shape of the base, the way of donning - simple or with scrolling, and also according to the principle of how the specific place for each figure is caused - by curly pins or by their number.

At the same time, sorters for older children may have a more serious educational function - for example, clocks in which numbers must be inserted, or an alphabet board, which allows learning the alphabet in a game form and even compose words.

Having learned from the bitter experience of buying Chinese goods, our compatriots know that even an elementary product can be made awry, so only brand sorters are trying to choose, especially if they want a product made from natural material. Consider the most popular models:

• In this context, pay attention, for example, to the company's products. Hapewhich has been manufacturing toys from bamboo and individual plastic components for over thirty years. Now the main production of the company is located just in China, but its roots are German, and imports to about 50 countries of the world can say everything about quality.

• In terms of success, the company described above is similar and Ks kids, only here the development took place even more rapidly - for some couple of decades the company's products entered the markets of about 60 countries of the world. The main positive feature of the brand is the creation of a large number of local offices in sales countries, which is very convenient for the consumer.The range, by the way, is far from being limited to wooden toys - there is literally everything a kid can wish for.
• In this context, the company looks very modest. Plan Toys with its four offices in the United States, Belgium, Japan and Thailand, but this company also has a wooden sorter such that the manufacturer should not be ashamed of them.

The poor choice of the sorter is usually due to the fact that the toy does not match the age of its small owner, therefore on the choice depending on age and dwell:

• For children up to a year Usually choose soft textile sorter, which can not be hurt, with details of at least 5 cm (not swallowed), durable and suitable for periodic washing. Soft parts can be crumpled and inserted arbitrarily, which slightly violates the principle of the sorter, but at this age it is uncritical. Additions in the form of mirrors and rumblers are welcome.
• Aged after year the baby begins to understand the principle of the sorter and put the figures into the address, now he can give almost any kind of this toy. Do not forget that the period of use is limited to four years of age.

In the next video you will find a presentation of the toy puzzle "Geometric figures."