While They Slept Review

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This is Liam’s first year in preschool. We ultimately decided on a little Montessori-based preschool and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. Why Montessori? Basically, it’s child-led learning and discovery. Kids are free to pick and choose what they’d like to do. The play time encourages learning, independence and social development. For instance, at school, Liam’s favorite thing is to play with the trucks. But the trucks cannot drive around aimlessly. They must do something. So sometimes they carry blocks to help a friend build a castle. Or they transport animals to the zoo. It’s incredible to see how imaginative the kids can get when you ask them to think creatively. We’ve been trying to create some of those same Montessori-inspired learning opportunities at home too. We recently received a felt story board from While They Slept and we’re having so much fun with it!

While They Slept makes Montessori-inspired educational toys perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. The felt boards and story pieces are meant to encourage pretend play. As kids tell these stories with their felt boards, they’re learning narrative skills, problem-solving and how to work through real-life scenarios with their characters.

The one we have have is…you guessed it…the Firefighter Felt Story Set. Not that we wouldn’t love any of the great sets available at While They Slept, because I really think we would. But Liam loves any kind of emergency vehicle. Particularly fire trucks. Can’t you just hear his siren wailing?

These hand-cut felt pieces are so cute and there’s quite a variety. I’m pretty sure Liam’s favorite piece is the building that’s actually on fire. Or maybe the firefighter who has a hose, all ready to go for the next fire emergency. Personally, I love the diversity in three people pieces. It’s something you don’t always get with toys. And there’s enough pieces to tell a different story every time we play. It’s so fun to hear Liam develop plot lines and name each character. Saving lives, one story at a time.

The board is great for play at home, but we’ve actually packed this up a couple of times and taken it on the road with us too. It’s the perfect size to sit in Liam’s lap in the car. And because all the pieces are felt, they stick easily to the board and you don’t have to worry about them falling off all the time.

One of the best features about the board is that you can purchase multiple story sets and use them all on the same board. I’ve already added the Numbers Matching Game and the Pirate set to Liam’s birthday and Christmas wish lists.

The felt boards at While They Slept are $19.99 (8×10) and $29.99 (9×12). Felt board stories range from $16.99 – $24.99, depending on the collection. Several of the stories/activities can also be purchased as a gift set with the felt board. Prices for these sets range from $34.95 – 49.95. The company’s Waldorf preschool calendar set is $39.99 ($69.99 with the board included). It contains 75 different pieces, so it’s quite extensive.

All of the gift sets are perfect for Easter baskets. While They Slept’s turn around time is typically 3-5 business days. If you order now, it will get to you in plenty of time for the holiday. Plus, you can use the code FIREBRIGADE for 15% off too!

Check out all the different sets in the Etsy shop and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. You can also join their Facebook group for access to giveaways, discount codes and exclusive sales.