Explore & More Roll-Around Hedgehog by Skip*Hop
Sensory experiences for babies and young children do NOT have to involve a lot of gizmos. In fact, in general, I do not think toys that have all the bells and whistles are appropriate for kidlets…with non-stop flashing lights or ear-splitting, manufactured-voiced songs how are they supposed to settle in and engage with a toy?
(Read Sensory Experiences for examples of inexpensive, homemade sensory toys you can create.)
That being said, I DO like getting more bang for my buck whenever possible! The Explore & More Roll-Around Hedgehog by Skip*Hop is a good example!
This adorable hedgehog has a body that has:
●Easy-to-grasp openings that’ll encourage dexterity with your little one’s hands build
●In the hedgehog’s head is a rattle that’ll sure to have your kidlet shaking and tossing it about
●The hedgehog’s ‘spikes’ are actually teethers—it feels so good to bite down!!
●The back of the hedgehog’s head is covered in rounded spikes to touch and explore!
●The hedgehog’s face will draw your child’s attention–babies are programmed to look the human face–even an abstract or caricatured version.
● Additionally a pair of beads on a rod of meeting arms for more movement and sound to investigate
The Roll-Around Hedgehog is:
*BPA-free
*PVC-free and
*Phthalate-free
meaning your kiddo and chew, gum, or gnaw on it to their heart’s content! The manufacturer states it’s appropriate for children 3 months and up.
The Roll-Around Hedgehog gets a full-on PLAY ON stamp of approval even with the criticism I’ve heard from some—the fact that it’s top-heavy and doesn’t really roll. Those are both true, but I don’t feel it detracts at all from the overall fun, enjoyment and development benefits your kiddo will get from playing with this adorable hedgehog!
There’s just something about a hedgehog that makes me want to cuddle up…YOU TOO?! Then why not snuggle in close to your kiddo! Read Christine Butler’s book One Rainy Day, a story about helping others–it’s got a shiny, shimmery umbrella throughout that’ll keep your little one’s attention.
If you’ve got older sibs around that want a story read too, try this one about a hedgehog: Marcus Pfister’s The Happy Hedgehog! It’s a wonderful story about being happy and content in your own skin…or maybe in this case quills!
Yours in PLAY!
Teacher Karen