Choosing toys and learning materials for my daughter can be a daunting task at times.  There's just so many educational options available, that it's tough to find one place that's guaranteed to deliver it all.

As a former teacher, I have to admit that I'm still loyal to shopping at teacher supply stores.  These stores have mastered the ability to meld fun and educational together under one roof.  I can remember pouring through the catalogs of ACE Educational Supplies when I taught school and drooling over all of the wonderful children's products they carried.

Well, some things never change, so when I was given the chance to review their wide selection of items with Riley, I just couldn't resist.  Keep reading to learn more!

I was too excited to take my $35 gift certificate from ACE Educational Supplies for a spin and couldn't wait to begin shopping their huge catalog, just like I did when I was a teacher.  It didn't take me long to spot two learning toys that I knew would absolutely delight my daughter: the Pretend & Play Doctor Set and the Stringing Pegs & Pegboard Set.

The Pretend & Play Doctor Set from Learning Resources is designed for children ages 3 years old and up and contains 19-pieces that will put your child right in the middle of all the medical action.  This set includes a stethoscope, pager with realistic sounds, battery-operated cell phone, forceps, bandages, thermometer and lots more.  This toy is also super portable with everything fitting into the handy plastic case, so that your little doctor can perform plenty of "house calls" too.

Riley LOVED this toy and has given every single member of our family, stuffed animal and doll available a thorough "check up".  I have to admit that I really enjoy seeing her so enthusiastic about a toy like this (and I can't help smiling every time I see her put on those blue glasses either).  :big grin:

Thanks to the Pretend & Play Doctor Set, Riley understands more about blood pressure and using a stethoscope.  It also helps makes things a lot less scary for her when we need to take her temperature or clean up a boo-boo.  She understands now that mommy is just playing doctor too!

The Stringing Pegs & Pegboard Set from Lauri Toys is a quality designed toy engineered for easy grasping as kids place the pegs in the soft Lauri crepe rubber peg board.  Changing the color and position of the pegs themselves help create a multitude of designs with laces.

This toy includes 24 pattern cards with varying level of difficulty, 32 large string pegs (2 1/2" tall), a 25 hole quality crepe rubber peg board and laces in 4 different colors.  It's a great activity for improving fine motor skills, introducing geometric thinking and patterning, and helps to teach early graphing concepts too.

I wasn't exactly sure whether Riley would enjoy this toy or not, but she most definitely did!  Riley immediately becomes focused and determined when playing with the Stringing Pegs & Pegboard Set and you can just see her mind at work when trying to follow the pattern cards or when she "freestyles" and creates a pattern entirely her own.  There's no doubt that this toy will improve her dexterity and concentration and will even teach her the very basics of sewing, a hobby that I hope to share with her one day.

If you'd like to inundate your little one with toys and other learning resources that blend education and fun, then make sure to shop the extensive variety of materials from ACE Educational Supplies.  ACE is the perfect supply store for parents, teachers and homeschoolers alike!