NPR spent some time asking their staff about their favorite childhood toys. My mind immediately went to LEGO, which could be the best toy ever. Then I remembered my favorite “toy” from when I was very young: a chalk board. It was probably 3′ by 5′, and it had the alphabet and (I think) numbers across the border. For some reason I remember it being in my crib, but that could just be made up — memory is fuzzy after all. I’d write and draw random things on it. I don’t know exactly how much time I spent with it, or exactly when I used it, but it really left a lasting impression.