Melissa & Doug Magnetic Chalk Dry Erase Board- A Mom's Review

This Melissa and Doug board comes as a two sided board.
One side has a white marker board and the other a black magnetic chalk board.
It also comes with all the 26 letters of the alphabet and 10 digits in wooden magnetic pieces. These letters and digits are big and brightly colored. They are also safe and toddlers can play with them easily.

This Magnetic Chalk Dry Erase Board also comes with three colored chalks, a marker and an eraser.

Here are some ways alphabet learning can become fun with these magnetic alphabets

1. Children can master how each alphabet looks by tracing these large letters with their fingers repeatedly. When they do that, they familiarize themselves with each curve and line on the alphabet and soon are more confident about writing on their own.

2. They can arrange these letters as they sing the ABC. This way, they not only recognize the order of the alphabet but also get to understand how each of them look and sound.

Once they are done with the alphabet, they could move on to words.
With the alphabets in this magnetic chalk board, one could form short words where no letters repeat. You could spell out words like CAT, DOG, FOX, HOUSE and many more simple words.

This way, not only does your child master the alphabets, they get introduced to some small words all while they are playing.

Image is a Zazzle design of Jelly alphabets by joxxxxjo

This Mellisa and Doug toy also comes with all 10 digits in the form of magnets. Here is how they can help teach the children numbers the fun way.

1. Children could master the digits one at a time.

2. They could get introduced to them by tracing the big magnets

3. They could form numbers up to 10.

4. They could also form bigger numbers by creating combinations of some of the digits. Children can understand that larger numbers consist of a combination of digits.

5. You could also use these digits and have some counting fun. For instance, you could point at some of the objects around your home or playroom, count them and try make that number out of the digits. That way, they can relate the act of counting to the actual physical number.

Image is a NUMBER GIRIAFFE Poster by JOSEPHINEB3

An interesting way to use the magnetic letters is to create Crossword Puzzles. This idea dawned upon me due to the obvious fact that unless you had another set of the alphabet magnets, you are limited to only building words with letters that don't repeat. But with a crossword puzzle, this isnt a problem also. Besides, it subtly instills the concept of sharing to the young child. They see it as the words "sharing" the letters (atleast mine did) and I was very pleased to see that. I would use any opportunity I get to remind them of the importance to share. But this indeed was something creative and helped us enjoy the magnetic board even more.

Children can use the marker board and chalkboard and enjoy their favorite act - doodlling.This is a great way for them to show their creativity and also learn how to draw basic shapes. By being allowed to draw again and again freely on the chalk board, they refine their skills and are able to draw simple pictures very quickly. Also, using the Melissa and Doug Magnetic Chalkboard saves paper, as it could be used repeatedly.

Doodling could be their way towards gaining some very artistic skills and could also result in hours of endless fun for both parents and child.

This board is also great when your children are learning or have learned how to write alphabets and numbers. They could now use the chalkboard to practice. You could have them write their alphabet or do spelling quizzes while playing. While teaching them mathematical concepts with numbers, you could draw and write out the numbers and formulas on the board and have them answer. This creates a very visual and interactive mode for both you and your child.

The possiblities with this chalkboard are endless.

Image is a Zazzle design of little chalkboard turtle by doonidesigns

Another great way to enjoy this toy is to use the magnets alongside the black magnetic chalkboard.

1. You could draw a picture and spell the word. You could quiz your child on their spelling and object identification skills this way.

2. With the number magnets, you could draw a bunch of shapes or objects and have them count and identify the number with the magnets.

3. You could even write a formula and use the magnets to answer the question!


Simply think out of the box and this Melissa & Doug Magnetic Toy can lead to hours of fun learning.

How Would You Use
Your Melissa & Doug Magnetic Board

Credit: Make a "Chalkboard" - Fun CSS Trick!

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