Five reasons why giant cardboard building blocks should be given to every toddler

Remember your first cardboard refrigerator box?learn that it is ok to make a mistake and adjust the
Just the thought of my own box brings back thesituation (problem solving)
exciting memory of rolling around in my own frontChildren learning problem solving, become divergent
yard and all of the fresh air smells of playing outside.thinkers. By exploring and discovering what works
When no large appliance box is available there is justand what does not work while they are playing with
as much fun and imaginative play waiting for yourbrick blocks, their attention span and level of
toddlers and young children when you provide themconcentration will increase while working either
with ImagiBricks large cardboard building block toys.together or playing alone. And because there is no
Your grandmother and grandfather very likely had a"wrong way" to play there is a great feeling of pride
set of these giant building blocks when they wereand a job well done. As a parent or teacher you will
young children. As they played with their blocks, onlybe able to just let your children play without directing
their parents were aware of the many learning andthem and it will be easy to compliment your child as
developmental skills that were being provided.they create their structures.
ImagiBricks are so named because they look likeBlocks, or objects, are figuratively neutral. This
bricks and children really can get busy building bridges,characteristic will allow children their own mental
towers, walls, houses, castles and whatever elsespace. They will explore some fundamental
their creative imagination can conjure up. Exciting funmathematical idea and put it into practice during their
play increases when your children have toys they canblock play. I wonder how many of us ever thought
climb through and around.that block play will also teach math. But it does.
Children love to create their own imaginary world andMathematics involves:
giant cardboard blocks make a perfect "prop" for• testing out • abstracting
their early learning development. Block toys open up• reasoning
many exciting opportunities for toddlers andEarly mathematical representations such as ratios,
preschool age children to make up any number ofadding and subtracting and even multiplication can be
new adventures. Playing make-believe will encouragelearned when you give your child building blocks. You
your children to play and work cooperatively towardsas a parent or teacher will find many ways to lead
a common goal, thus increasing their social skills.and direct activities that will enable your young child
"Let's build a tower", says Johnny. "I want to build ato figure out that adding and subtracting blocks is
house", says Amanda. The possibilities for fantasyfun; they won't even know they are actually learning
play with giant block toys are endless. Becausemath. And won't it delight your children to carry over
children see and understand the world differentlythis learning experience to actual math lessons on
than we, as adults do, building block toys enablepaper and find that they have retained their earlier
them to express these worlds. There are nolessons!
limitations, restrictions or clear guidelines for play.Reasoned thought is generally believed to have its
Play has "no rules" but parents can, if necessary,developmental roots in early exploratory and playful
guide the play with open ended questions allowinghandling of objects. Because your child has no rules
your child to jump right into a new learningwhen playing with blocks he is under no pressure to
experience.do any certain thing in any particular order and this
Dealing with the challenges of block building makestesting out all by himself will bring a sense of pride in
your children's "wheels turn" in their heads, givinga job well done. No one will be telling him he has done
them infinite possibilities for improvising and creating.anything wrong.
When something does not balance or look right toIn summary I have presented five reasons your
them, they will try constructing it in a new andtoddler should have giant cardboard building block to
different way. Using open-ended materials such asplay with for exceptional learning experiences: 1.
blocks will get your children thinking in a new way.increasing social skills, 2. developing problem solving
Problem solving skills will be developed.skills, 3. helping your toddler become a divergent
Such is achieved when children, through trial andthinker, 4. increasing their attention span and level of
error, learn which block combinations are ideal forconcentration and 5. giving your child a feeling of
their particular desired effect. For example, they learnpride for a job well-done.
which blocks are most appropriate to support theYou could not make a better selection for your
foundation of a building tower that they will be abletoddler! Giant ImagiBricks - a great investment in your
to build off of. They will come to understand,child's learning development.
through this interactive experience, that the causeAuthor Garolyn Bowen. Owns and operates All I Can
and effect of what they build is directly related toImagine, a certified Family Friendly website selling fun
their own actions.and learning eco friendly toys including giant
Whether the children are building a tower on theircardboard building blocks, 3d wooden puzzles, wood
own, or following the instructions and guidance of aplay sets, wilderness play sets, coat hooks and wood
parent or teacher they:bookends. Visit us at
• become engrossed in sequential tasksThis article may be used on your website or
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their minds to stay focused on one task •to our website.
gain self confidence in his own abilities •