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Set of ten soft, colorful blocks that are easy to grasp and are safe for children who mouth toys. Each block is embossed with a number, animal and items to count. Play with this block set builds exploration and imagination. The blocks easily fit into the included carrying case which zips closed. Phthalate-free, BPA-free and lead-free.
Approx. Price: $11.99 Box Age Range: 0+ yr # of Pieces: 6-10 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
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
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 easy to grasp and hold.
The set of 10 blocks is embossed with pictures, numbers and number representations.
The blocks are easy to stack.
Block play is easy to understand. Children can play at their own level of understanding and progress to more advanced skills using the same set.
Play with this set is open ended.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Skills
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.
Midline skills are used as the child holds a block in one hand and places a block from the other hand on top.
The blocks provide lots of opportunity to practice grasping and holding.
Children practice color and animal identification as they reach for the requested block.
Sound localization using the squeaking of the blocks can be a part of play.
Play Ideas
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.
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 soft, large and easy to grasp.
A carrying case with handle is included with the set.
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 brightly colored.
The blocks are embossed with pictures, numbers and number representations.
The blocks are easy to stack.
Block play is easy to understand. Children can play at their own level of understanding and progress to more advanced skills using the same set.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Play with this set is open ended.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Skills
Midline skills are used as the child holds a block in one hand and places a block from the other hand on top.
The blocks provide lots of opportunity to practice grasping and holding.
Children practice voluntary release by dropping blocks into a basket or box or when placing a block onto a tower.
Hand transferring can take place when children hold one block in one hand and transfer it to another.
Eye-hand coordination is used to pick up and stack the blocks.
Whole hand grasping is aided by the softness of the blocks. The blocks slightly form to a child’s hand.
Play Ideas
To incorporate gross motor play, toss blocks into a laundry basket or box. Using a large basket gives a child a larger target to aim for and promotes greater success.
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).
Use a tall plastic container or a Pringles can to stack the blocks.
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 ten blocks each with different animals and numbers.
Each block has a number on one side and a corresponding set of items to count on another side.
The animals on each block are easily recognizable.
The blocks are embossed with pictures, numbers and number representations.
The set can be used with only one block, a select few or all the blocks.
Block play is easy to understand. Children can play at their own level of understanding and progress to more advanced skills using the same set.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Play with this set is open ended.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Skills
There are enough blocks in this set to accommodate several children, encouraging parallel play, interactive play and cooperative play.
Children practice color and animal identification as they reach for the requested block.
Children can practice taking turns putting blocks on to make a tower.
Each block is a different color to help children learn color recognition and identification.
This open-ended activity encourages children to use their imaginations when building different structures.
Children can practice counting the number of blocks.
Number order can be incorporated into play by using the embossed numbers on each block.
Children can learn the concept of quantity (“give me one block”, “put two blocks in the box”, etc.)
Children learn about cause and effect as they stack the blocks and knock them down.
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.
Play Ideas
Encourage the child to say or sign “more” when they want another block.
A caregiver can use single repetitive words to encourage imitating such as, “Up, up, up” to get the child to stack the blocks up.
After the blocks are stacked in a tower, have the child count out loud, “1, 2, 3!” and knock them down.
Use the blocks to create a parking place for small cars, a room for dolls or a barrier wall to contain a small ball. This may help introduce the concept of pretend play.
Verbally identify all the pictures on the blocks.
Create a story by giving each child several blocks. Take turns adding to the story using the pictures on the blocks as the subject of addition. In doing so, children are learning conversational turn taking and how to wait, listen, and respond. This is an exercise in receptive and expressive language.
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 ten blocks each with different animals and numbers.
Each block has a number on one side and a corresponding set of items to count on another side.
The animals on each block are easily recognizable.
The blocks are easy to grasp and hold.
The blocks are brightly colored.
The blocks are embossed with pictures, numbers and number representations.
The blocks are easy to stack.
The set can be used with only one block, a select few or all the blocks.
Block play is easy to understand. Children can play at their own level of understanding and progress to more advanced skills using the same set.
The blocks are tactilely interesting to touch and squeak when squeezed.
Play with this set is open ended.
Play duration can be altered to accommodate a child’s individual needs.
Skills
This open-ended activity encourages children to use their imaginations when building different structures.
Children can practice counting the number of blocks.
Number order can be incorporated into play by using the embossed numbers on each block.
Children learn about cause and effect as they stack the blocks and knock them down.
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.
Each block is a different color to help children learn color recognition and identification.
Play Ideas
Children can take turns selecting a block and finding objects in the room that match the color of the block.
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.
Place several blocks in a row in front of the child. Have him look at the blocks and then close his eyes. Switch the positions of two blocks. Have the child look and determine which two blocks were switched.
Play catch with a friend.
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.
