Learning Resources Hot Dots Learn At Home Reading And Maths Set 2 Review

Reviewed by Deborah Banasko

We have already been lucky enough to try set 1 in this series, so I am so pleased to be given the opportunity to review the Learning Resources Hot Dots Learn at Home Set 2.

Whilst my youngest is almost 4 and not quite ready for this set, I have the advantage of having home schooled my older son during lockdown when he was in reception and year 1; with the target age for these learning activities being 5 plus (year 1 level) I am able to try this out with my older boy and recall the areas covered in this year group. Plus my 5 year old nephew was happy to lend a hand!

Set 1 in this series is targeted at early years children from the age of 4, but it isn’t essential that you try this pack as everything that you need is included in pack 2. Personally, I would purchase both sets if your child is in the age range as they are fantastic home learning tools.

If you already have set 1 then this product follows the same idea. The packaging is lovely and bright and shows examples of the box contents. Inside the box are two 50-page booklets; a Reading Set 2 Book with a cute little fox on the front, and the Maths Set 2 Book which shows a cheeky monkey.

You will also find the Hot Dots red and white pen inside the pack, which requires two AAA batteries. The instructions are featured on the inside back page of both booklets, and once the batteries are loaded into the pen you are ready to go!

When you open the spiral-bound book you will see a series of multiple choice questions with lovely pictures to accompany them. You select your response by pressing the black dot beside the answer using the pen. A correct answer will trigger a green light on the pen, and an incorrect will be red. If you would like some sound effects then you can add this feature and increase the volume setting by pressing the audio button, so that various positive and silly “incorrect” noises will let you know if the answer you gave is correct. My son was all about the noises!

A range of themes are covered in each of the books, some being the same as in the first series of books but at a higher level. In the Maths book it starts with basic finger counting to numbers above 10, with “find the missing number” tasks. Looking at more and less, shapes, early addition and subtraction with lovely graphics. The number of (for example) birds in a group is displayed, with the amount being subtracted having a line through them to signify they are being “subtracted”. This is a great way for children to learn to visualize the concept and to help your child work it out. I have to say this lay-out really impressed me.

I encouraged my son to use building bricks for the addition and subtraction too. Perhaps after several examples, a wipe away pen could be used so that the child could cross out the animals themselves and work out the subtraction themselves.

The addition section was perfect as it showed to separate groups being added using various pictures.  The Maths book also covered bar graphs, and the ideas of taller, heavier and much more. I was really impressed by the content, the fact that it can be done independently eventually and that it makes Maths fun.

The Reading book looks at upper and lower case, and delves into phonics by looking at the letter that words start and end with. Matching pictures to words, finding the missing vowel or letter in a word, and unscrambling letters to find the word. I especially love the “choose the missing word from a sentence” task as your child starts to learn about simple sentences, and choosing the correct punctuation for a sentence was a real challenge. These are just a few examples of the areas covered.

The work was age appropriate and challenging, and also acts as a starting point for you to even make up your own related questions should you wish. My nephew especially loved these books and the whole concept. After we had given the books a good try he wandered off to have a go on his own which is surely a sign of a good product!

The instant feedback is really helpful and keeps things moving. You will need to sit with your child for the first couple of attempts at these books as they won’t necessarily know what the question is asking due to their limited reading skills at this age. This does mean that it cannot be 100% independent learning. Once they are familiar with the books then they can use them at their leisure, have fun and not even realise that they are revising and learning.

It is lovely as a parent to see your child make progress and grasp concepts. There are also reward stickers at the back to add to each page which is a great touch, and who doesn’t love a magic pen that knows all of the answers?

It is worth mentioning that the pens from both set 1 and set 2 can be used with any of the books in the range. Perfect if you loose a pen around the house, or if you want to use one pen when taking the books out and about on your travels.

I did think that it would be nice if the animal character from the front cover featured in the book a little to help with engaging the learner. I would also love to be able to purchase additional books for this target age to add to our set.

The price-point of £35 is excellent value when you take into account the amount of use these books are likely to get. The boxes are so neat and good for travel too when you’re on the go. The content really supports what is learned in the classroom, and my children found these to be something they chose to do which is a huge positive for me.

This set is worth the full 5 stars out of 5.

Rating: 5/5 stars

RRP: £35

You can purchase the Learning Resources Hot Dots Reading and Maths Set 2 here.

Set 1 is also available to purchase here.