Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock Educational Toy

The Melissa and Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock is an educational toy in the shape of a clock, made from wood, with small wooden sorting blocks that fit into designated spaces. This toy helps to teach kids how to tell time and match shapes and it makes a great toy option for youngsters in the preschool age group.Educational toys are the preferred toy from a parental point of view, but it is sometimes a challenge to find an educational toy that my girls will enjoy for an extended period of time. With the Melissa and Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock, it appears I have achieved victory in this area. Even weeks after their initial encounter with this toy, my girls still enjoying sorting the blocks and reading the numbers on the clock dial. Each of the blocks is colored differently and shaped differently and my girls enjoying figuring out which block fits into which slot.One of the many advantages with the Melissa and Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock is its ability to educate in multiple ways. Not only does it teach kids spatial skills and how to tell time, it also teaches kids how to match numbers, count the minutes and hours, and arrange the hands of the clock to a certain time. With the blocks, younger children will have two ways to match: By shape or by number. If they cannot match the number, they can match the shape that fits, thus eliminating frustration and eventually learning the number in the process. Yet another advantage of this toy is that it encourages more imaginative play. There are no bells or whistles and no batteries. The hands of the clock are moved only by pushing with the fingers. These facts make the Melissa and Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock a little on the old- fashioned side, in a sense, but in a positive way.Educational toys are the best but it is often a challenge to find an educational toy that children will enjoy. This toy has passed the test with flying colors, offering satisfaction to both child and parent. It is true that the small blocks can get lost in due time, but other than this, the Melissa and Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock is an excellent toy overall. It teaches children several skills and offers great durability, is made from wood, and requires no batteries. My little ones love it and continue to enjoy it day after day. It's an easy winner that belongs in every child's toy box.

This is my entire experience with Melissa and Doug. I went from disappointment to complete satisfaction so please read the full review.I purchased this for my 1 year old grand daughter. She loves it!! I can't imagine I am the first person who lost one of the pieces. I contacted Melissa and Doug to ask about replacing parts and not having to buy an entire new toy. I received a very prompt reply. I was told that each piece is individually hand carved and no two pieces are alike so if I were to get just new pieces they would no way fit the slot they were intended for. Really!! First off the pieces are not a tight fit so anything made similar in size and shape to the original pattern will fit. I don't appreciate being treated like an idiot. Secondly are you trying to make me believe that a person some where is whittling away to create each little piece for this clock. We are talking child's toy not a museum piece. Thirdly the clock I found at the thrift store fits perfectly into the openings of my original clock. This may be a beautiful toy that my grand child loves but I will never purchase another Melissa and Doug product again. Your company may make nice products but trust me so do a lot of other companies. I will keep her clock and continue to look at yard sales as pieces get lost because every piece I find fits perfectly where it is supposed to fit. Shame on you for treating a loyal customer like an idiot.Update 12/5/2012 I received a personal call from Suzanne of the Melissa and Doug company. I was very impressed that customer experience was in fact such an important matter to them. Since I had already replaced the clock Suzanne sent my grand daughter a newer toy to make up for our inconvenience and for our first experience. The box arrived today with a hand written note. I retract all my negative comments, I guess you just need to make sure you speak with the right person. Any company has the right to make a mistake with their customer and Melissa and Doug care enough about their customer and their reputation that they do what is necessary to make things right. I will continue to do business and support them as a business. They have regained my trust and respect. Thank you Suzanne.

All in All, the clock is great. I bought 2, one for my 1 yr old and 1 for my 3 yr old. I paired them with Munckin Math Shapes and Telling time (separate videos, so maybe not "paired"...but you get my point) They are a great toy to have while the videos play, either watched or just absorbed in the background) and it goes perfect with the theme of the videos. It's well made and can be used to teach many different concepts if the parent is involved, from colors to shapes to stacking (for the 1 yr. old) to numbers to time telling). I bought the RightStart Mathmetic Curriculum (which I higly recommend) with all the manipulatives and found that you are often better off substituting others. this clock is SO much better than the cheap yellow clock that came with it. My 3 yr old looked at me like I was stupid when I handed that to her "Oh great, a yellow thing" and immediately handed it to her sister, NEVER to touch it again unless it was in her way. But she LOVES this clock.So, What's up with the 6? Was this intentional or an oversight? It has the line, but it can be put in place to read 9. If you dont'know what the underline means, it can be confusing. I know a hexagon has 6 sides, so it makes SOME sense, but I think I would have preferred a shape that forces the number into the correct orientation. WITH a parent looking over them, it's fine and an opportunity to teach the 6/9 distinction, but rare is the mother that can micromanage a child's play to that level.A petty concern, to be sure...but I do wonder if it was intentional and why they chose to make that tradeoff. . Otherwise, a great manipulative.

Exactly as shown in picture. Its "Melissa and doug"... what more do I need to say?! Everything they make is excellent quality. My 3 year old and my 6 year old both love this clock and like to play with it. My 3 year old is more interested in matching the shapes where my 6 year old is interested in learning the times. So something there for both of them! Its solid wood which I love- no plastic that can break off and wont end up in our oceans. Will last a lifetime.

Bought this to put away as part of my grandson's Christmas.On opening this morning, my daughter e.mailed me and asked if I got it half price.Wondering what she was on about, I asked her to send me a picture, which she did.The seconds have been put on this particular clock upside down.Not very educational and mum is going to have to explain to her wee man that what he is seeing is not right.Just wish I'd took more notice when I first purchased it.Other than that, I think this is a fine toy.

I bought this for my 4 year old granddaughter. She finds the shape sorting too easy - but her 2 year old brother enjoys it - but now she has an understanding of numbers she is ready to begin telling the time.As a retired infant teacher, there were some things that attracted me to this clock straight away :- not only are the hands different colours, but obviously different lengths. The hands are labelled too, as are the "past" and "to" sides of the clock.

Very Nice product , my 2.5 year daughter like it very much. she can now easily understand the shapes, number & colours. she can identify Minutes & Hour needle also. It is Four in one product with Clock, Shapes, Numbers & Colours. Long Life product

Excellent educational toy for 3.5 year old. Pleased wiitht e clock and delivery