Start-Up Circuits

By MindWare
Price $19.95
Age 18mo.-6yrs.

Start-Up Circuits is a wonderfully effective approach to teaching children as young as 18 months the abstract concept of circuitry. It's a joyously hands-on mix of fun and learning through which youngsters learn a great deal. The set includes 6 pieces that, at first blush, could simply be colorful building blocks. However, snapping any of the 3 action tops together with any of the 3 switch blocks so that the red line along their exteriors is aligned and then pressing the switch causes exciting things to happen. A light glows, a fan spins, a siren whistles! Each action top does something different, and the interchangeability of the tops and blocks leads to a good deal of mix-and-match exploration with equally dramatic results. In addition to teaching children the fundamentals of how circuits work, these enlightening activities provide an excellent foundation for STEM skills and promote the development of fine motor skills, problem solving, and an understanding of cause and effect.