Learning Toys

We now know that it is important to encourage learning through play, an idea which has been put forward by many educators over the years.Two important pioneers in the world of educational toys were Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) and Maria Montessori (1870-1952).

Froebel was founder of the first ever kindergarten, which was officially opened in 1840 in Germany. He designed a series of educational toys called the 'Gifts', which included a complex set of blocks. Montessori invented a system she called 'didactic apparatus' which was designed to encourage the development of children's physical powers and senses.

Alphabet Blocks

Most children have played with alphabet blocks at sometime. They are now known as a classic educational toy.

Etch-a-Sketch

Etch-a-Sketch was originally invented in Paris by garage mechanic Arthur Granjean who called it 'L'Ecran Magique', (the Magic Screen).