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We’ve done everything from playing Bozo buckets and hide and seek to pretending the blocks are ice burgs in the bath! They are very versatile. -- Mother, Chicago, IL
Set of 26 soft, colorful blocks that are easy to grasp and are safe for children who mouth toys. Each block is deeply embossed with a letter and a corresponding animal. Several different shapes enable children to build architectural masterpieces. The blocks easily fit into the included carrying case which zips closed. Phthalate-free, BPA-free and lead-free.
Approx. Price: $29.99 Box Age Range: 0+ yr # of Pieces: 11-50 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Self Storing Directions: None Play Locations: Indoor and Outdoor Adjustability: None Levels of Play: Five or More Levels Batteries: None needed
Open-ended
Can Be Used Independently or w/Others
High Quality
Soothing
Furniture Friendly
Promotes Active Play
Hands-on Approach to Learning
Provides Pretend Play Opportunities
Easy to Grasp/Hold
Familiar Objects/Pictures
Different Shapes and/or Colors
Inviting/Whimsical Characters
Easy to Store
Simple
Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity
Visually Stimulating
Tactilely Stimulating
High Contrasting Colors
Durable
Lightweight
Developmental processes promoted
Fine Motor
Hand and Finger Grasp
Eye-Hand Coordination
Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off
Reaching/Arm Extension
Functional Finger Movement and Exploration
Pre-Literacy
Coordinated Movement
Imagination/Pretend Play
Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity
Two-Handed Play – Midline Focus and Transferring
Precision
Wrist Rotation
Motor Planning
Visual Discrimination
Sequential Thought
Cooperative Hand Movements
Counting/Beginning Math
Visual Acuity
Stacking
Color Recognition and Identification
Object Recognition and Identification
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
All but two of the blocks in this set have flat sides to prevent them from rolling out of reach. This helps children who are visually impaired to keep blocks within the play area.
The set contains 26 blocks each deeply embossed with a different letter and corresponding animal.
The set includes blocks of different sizes and shapes.
The rubber-like material of the blocks makes them easy to grasp and stack.
The blocks are easy to grasp and hold.
The blocks are brightly colored.
Block play is easy to understand. Children of different ages and ability levels can play simultaneously.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Block play is an open-ended activity. There is no right or wrong way to play.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Blocks can be used in water.
The blocks are made of soft rubber-like material. When a tower is knocked down, it does not create a loud startling sound like traditional blocks do.
The blocks are made of a non-skid, rubber material which helps prevent them from sliding away from a child during play.
The blocks are soft and can be mouthed.
Skills
There are two each of thirteen different colors to incorporate color identification, recognition, matching and sorting.
When children build with blocks, they learn about balance and spatial relationships.
The different shapes and sizes of the blocks can help children explore size differentiation and order.
Children can gain an understanding of spatial relationships when placing the blocks on the floor, under the table, next to a toy, behind the chair, etc.
Increase vocabulary by talking about and describing the structures children have built.
Squeaking the blocks helps children learn about cause and effect actions and how they can control their environment.
Children use eye-hand coordination as they place blocks on top of one another so they won’t tumble.
Midline skills are used as the child holds a block in one hand and places a block from the other hand on top.
Hand transferring can take place when children hold one block in one hand and transfer it to another.
When young children mouth the blocks they are using oral motor exploration.
Children use visual attention and acuity as they attempt to balance the blocks on top of each other.
Sound localization using the squeaking of the blocks can be a part of play.
Play Ideas
Use your own dump truck to fill, transport and dump the blocks. Because of the soft nature of the blocks, they won’t make loud startling sounds when dumped out.
The blocks can be used to squirt water in the bathtub or in a water table.
Have children take turns hiding in the classroom or around the house while holding a block. Once hidden the child can squeeze the block in their hand and the other children can use the auditory hint to help them find the hidden child.
Place the child on the floor. Then move in front of him and squeak a block. Have the child crawl towards the sound.
Use a defined play area, such as a small area rug or rubber play mat to play with these blocks. This can help a child know where play is taking place and help him maintain contact with the blocks. Having a boundary like this can ease a child’s anxiety over potential hazards, such as furniture and stairs.
For children who are visually impaired, fill a storage bin with water and place it on the ground. Have the child stand right in front of the bin and then take a couple steps backwards. Have the child toss the blocks into the water. He will hear a splash if he makes it in. Give the child verbal guidance if needed, such as “Aim a little to the left,” or “Throw it a little harder.”
Adaptation Ideas
Play with these blocks on a light or dark solid color surface. This will help the blocks stand out.
All but two of the blocks in this set have flat sides to prevent them from rolling out of reach.
The set contains 26 blocks each embossed with a different letter and corresponding animal.
The set includes blocks of different sizes and shapes.
The rubber-like material of the blocks makes them easy to grasp and stack.
The animals on each block are easily recognizable.
The blocks are easy to grasp and hold.
The blocks are brightly colored.
Block play is easy to understand. Children of different ages and ability levels can play simultaneously.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Block play is an open-ended activity. There is no right or wrong way to play.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Blocks can be used in water.
The blocks are made of soft rubber-like material. When a tower is knocked down, it does not create a loud startling sound like traditional blocks do.
The blocks are made of a non-skid, rubber material which helps prevent them from sliding away from a child during play.
Skills
Children use eye-hand coordination as they place blocks on top of one another so they won’t tumble.
The blocks are soft and slightly mold to a child’s hand. This aids whole hand grasping.
Manual dexterity is enhanced through grasping, holding and stacking the blocks.
Grasp and release is practiced as children build a structure or drop the blocks into a basket.
Children increase their bilateral coordination when they stabilize and build a structure with both hands.
Hand strength can be encouraged by having children squeeze the blocks to make them squeak.
Small muscles in the hands and arms strengthen as children pick up, carry and build with these blocks.
Midline skills are used as the child holds a block in one hand and places a block from the other hand on top.
Hand transferring can take place when children hold one block in one hand and transfer it to another.
Play Ideas
Begin building a structure on a table slightly to the left or right of center for a child. Have him continue to build. By having the structure off-center, the child is encouraged to reach across his body, crossing midline to build.
Create a bowling game. Stack the blocks up, and then roll your own ball to knock them down. This helps incorporate eye-hand coordination as well as grasp and release into play.
Hide the blocks in a room and have the children search and find them. The blocks can be placed in close proximity for children who are just beginning to move independently. They can also be placed on different levels to encourage reaching high or squatting low.
Toss the soft blocks into a laundry basket or box. Move the basket farther or closer to help challenge a child being mindful of each child’s tolerance and frustration levels. To further challenge, use smaller baskets and boxes.
The blocks are soft enough to be used for a game of catch (which strengthens balance, precision and cooperative hand movements as well as provides opportunity to practice turn taking).
Place the blocks in a large bowl or plastic storage bin. Then give the child a wooden spoon and have him make alphabet soup. Pretend to shake in spices. Pretend to take a taste. Children typically respond well when a caregiver overreacts to a bad taste!
Make one long row using all the blocks. Have the child lay down next to the row. Is he taller than the row of blocks? The activity encourages gross motor and fine motor movements.
Adaptation Ideas
Place the set of blocks on the weaker side of a child to encourage him to use that weaker side to grasp each block and bring it into play.
Place the set of blocks in the lid of a shirt box or a cookie sheet with a lip to help contain play and maintain position.
Limit the number of blocks presented to a child at one time. Gradually increase that number as ability and frustration levels permit.
The set contains 26 blocks each embossed with a different letter and corresponding animal.
The blocks have a zip-close storage bag. The blocks nestle in the bag like a puzzle. When children put the blocks away, they are working on organization and problem solving skills.
The set includes blocks of different sizes and shapes.
The animals on each block are easily recognizable.
The blocks are brightly colored.
Block play is easy to understand. Children of different ages and ability levels can play simultaneously.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Block play is an open-ended activity. There is no right or wrong way to play.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Verbal skills are not necessary to successfully play with this set.
Skills
The blocks have a zip-close storage bag. The blocks nestle in the bag like a puzzle. When children put the blocks away, they are working on organization and problem solving skills.
Children can progress in social play from parallel to interactive to cooperative play using these blocks as the conduit.
Increase vocabulary by talking about and describing the structures children have built.
Verbal exchange can be practiced as children ask one another to find different animals or colors.
Learning letters and alphabetical order can be encouraged in a playful, nonthreatening manner.
Children can learn to spell their names and simple words using the blocks. Note: There is only one of each letter in the alphabet, so names and words must not have repeat letters.
There are two each of thirteen different colors to incorporate color identification, recognition, matching and sorting.
Negotiation skills can take place as children build together and determine what type of structure to create.
The different shapes and sizes of the blocks can help children explore size differentiation and order.
Children can gain an understanding of spatial relationships when placing the blocks on the floor, under the table, next to a toy, behind the chair, etc.
Creativity emerges as children use their imaginations to build.
The 26 blocks can be used to learn how to count.
Children can practice taking turns putting blocks on to make a tower.
Children can learn the concept of quantity (“give me one block”, “put two blocks in the box”, etc.)
Play Ideas
Toss around one block. Each time a child catches it, he must say a word (e.g. his name, the name of an animal, his favorite color, etc.) and then toss it to another player to continue.
Place all the blocks on top of your own play parachute. Have the children hold the edges of the parachute and bounce the blocks up in the air.
Have the children sit in a circle. Using several differently-colored blocks, start music and have the children pass the blocks around the circle. When the music stops, the facilitator names a color. The person with that color is out. Play continues until one player remains.
Give the children each a block. Then taking turns, each child must act out the animal on his block while the rest of the group guesses what animal he is.
Ask the child to “write” his name using the blocks. Note: There is only one of each letter in the alphabet, so names and words must not have repeat letters.
Take a group of blocks and roll them on the floor like dice. When they land, look at any that has a letter on top. Be the first to think of a word starting with that letter.
Play a story add-on game. Start with all the blocks in the middle of the group. Taking turns, children pick up a block, look at the animal and begin a story using that animal. The second child picks up a block and continues the story incorporating his animal. Continue the story as long as children can remain interested. This activity can help children learn conversational turn taking and how to wait, listen and respond. This is an exercise in receptive and expressive language.
Verbally give the child a number equation, such as 2+1 and have him answer by gathering the correct number of blocks.
Jumble the blocks up and have the children place them in alphabetical order.
Hold out a block and ask the child to find the letter that comes before or after the one you are holding.
Sort the blocks by color, size or shape.
Hide the blocks in a room and have the children search and find them.
Try to stack all the blocks to make one tower. Count out loud as each block is placed.
Toss the soft blocks into a laundry basket or box. Move the basket farther or closer to help challenge a child being mindful of each child’s tolerance and frustration levels. To further challenge, use smaller baskets and boxes.
Place several blocks in a row in front of the child. Have him look at the blocks and then close his eyes. Take one block away. Have the child look and determine which block is missing.
Verbally identify all the animals and letters on the blocks.
Ask a child open-ended questions about his structure to encourage verbal expression.
Adaptation Ideas
Place the blocks out of reach of a child to encourage the child to interact with another person.
Limit the number of blocks presented to a child at one time. Gradually increase that number as ability and frustration levels permit.
Place the blocks in the lid of a shirt box to help contain play and provide an area of focus.
The set contains 26 blocks each embossed with a different letter and corresponding animal.
The set includes blocks of different sizes and shapes.
The rubber-like material of the blocks makes them easy to stack.
The animals on each block are easily recognizable.
The blocks are easy to grasp and hold.
The blocks are brightly colored.
Block play is easy to understand. Children of different ages and ability levels can play simultaneously.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Block play is an open-ended activity. There is no right or wrong way to play.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Blocks can be used in water.
Skills
The blocks have a zip-close storage bag. The blocks nestle in the bag like a puzzle. When children put the blocks away, they are working on organization and problem solving skills.
Learning letters and alphabetical order can be encouraged in a playful, nonthreatening manner.
Children can learn to spell their names and simple words using the blocks. Note: There is only one of each letter in the alphabet, so names and words must not have repeat letters.
There are two each of thirteen different colors to incorporate color identification, recognition, matching and sorting.
Squeaking the blocks helps children learn about cause and effect actions.
When children build with blocks, they learn about balance and spatial relationships.
As children recreate what they see with these blocks, they are gaining experience and beginning to hone abstract thinking skills.
The different shapes and sizes of the blocks can help children explore size differentiation and order.
Children can gain an understanding of spatial relationships when placing the blocks on the floor, under the table, next to a toy, behind the chair, etc.
Creativity emerges as children use their imaginations to build.
The 26 blocks can be used to learn how to count.
Play Ideas
Jumble the blocks up and have the children place them in alphabetical order.
Hold out a block and ask the child to find the letter that comes before or after the one you are holding.
Sort the blocks by color, size or shape.
Create a bowling game. Stack the blocks up, and then roll your own ball to knock them down. This helps incorporate eye-hand coordination as well as grasp and release into play.
Hide the blocks in a room and have the children search and find them.
Try to stack all the blocks to make one tower. Count out loud as each block is placed.
Toss the soft blocks into a laundry basket or box. Move the basket farther or closer to help challenge a child being mindful of each child’s tolerance and frustration levels. To further challenge, use smaller baskets and boxes.
Place several blocks in a row in front of the child. Have him look at the blocks and then close his eyes. Take one block away. Have the child look and determine which block is missing.
Embellish block play with small people, cars and animals.
With a set of your own play animals, have the children match up the animal figure with the corresponding animal block.
Explore size. Show a child a block and ask him to find one, “the same size,” or “that is bigger” or “that is smaller.”
Adaptation Ideas
Limit the number of blocks presented to a child at one time. Gradually increase that number as ability and frustration levels permit.
Place the blocks in the lid of a shirt box to help contain play and provide an area of focus.
