Amazing. That is where I was getting confused since when I looked up $ everything said it was get_node. The only thing I had to change from what you posted was remove the $/root/ then put the grid container name in and it worked perfect.
func _ready():
for item_name in dict_toggle:
var toggleArray = dict_toggle[item_name]
var toggle = toggleArray[0]
if toggle == 1:
get_node("GridContainer1/" + item_name).show()