Ivy Kids
Ivy Kids was founded by Taseea Lainas-Cruz, a former early childhood teacher and a mother of three. Taseea, who holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, was inspired to create Ivy Kids due to the challenges she faced in finding developmentally appropriate educational games for her children. Her personal experience and frustration led her to design and develop educational kits, first for her children and then for a wider audience, transforming her solutions into a successful business (Ivy Kids).
Grades
Ivy Kids is geared towards children aged 3-8.
Cost
The cost of the subscription varies, generally ranging from approximately $25 to $35 per month, depending on the subscription plan chosen (Ivy Kids).
Differentiation: Unique Attributes
What sets Ivy Kids apart in its category is its focus on combining literacy, science, math, and engineering concepts through hands-on activities that are inspired by children's literature. The activities are specifically designed to be engaging by incorporating children's favorite stories and characters, which helps in maintaining their interest and enhancing their learning experience. This approach not only makes learning enjoyable but also promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills (Ivy Kids).
How to Get Started
To begin using Ivy Kids as a homeschooling curriculum, parents can subscribe to receive monthly educational kits. Each kit is filled with all the necessary tools and materials, along with a comprehensive guide to facilitate various activities. These kits are tailored for children ages 3-8, making them a flexible option for early education (Ivy Kids).
How It Works
Ivy Kids kits are designed to be used right out of the box, requiring minimal preparation from parents. They are ideal for both independent and parent-led activities, depending on the child’s age and the specific activity involved. Typically, activities can be spread throughout the month, with children engaging with them for about 30-60 minutes per day. This setup makes Ivy Kids an adaptable resource for homeschooling families looking to enrich their children’s foundational skills across multiple disciplines (Ivy Kids).
Educational Concepts Taught
Math: Number recognition, counting, simple addition and subtraction
Science: Observations, predictions, simple experiments
Literacy: Letter recognition, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension
Engineering: Building simple structures, problem-solving with materials
What’s Good About It
Users praise Ivy Kids for its high-quality, research-backed content that effectively combines education with entertainment. The kits are celebrated for their creativity and the ease with which they integrate learning into everyday play. Many parents appreciate the thoughtfulness behind each activity, noting that the kits provide valuable opportunities for meaningful interaction with their children (Ivy Kids).
What Could Be Improved
While Ivy Kids receives a lot of positive feedback, some users note that more customization options could enhance the experience. Parents of children on the upper end of the age spectrum sometimes find the activities less challenging than desired. Additionally, the inclusion of more digital content or interactive components could further enrich the program (Ivy Kids).
Advice from Parents
To maximize the benefits of Ivy Kids, parents recommend establishing a consistent daily routine that incorporates the activities from the kits. They also suggest supplementing the kits with additional books and materials that align with the monthly themes to deepen the learning experience (Ivy Kids).
Ideal and Non-Ideal Fit
Ivy Kids is ideal for families seeking a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to early childhood education, particularly those who value the integration of STEM with literacy. It may not be as suitable for families looking for a more traditional, textbook-based curriculum or for those whose children need higher levels of academic challenge (Ivy Kids).
Ways to Get It
Ivy Kids can be subscribed to directly through their website, where parents can choose between various subscription plans or purchase individual past kits (Ivy Kids).
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