My Aunt Erica gifted us many of the childhood toys she used to have in her home, and today for the first time we got out the Blocks and Marbles by Tedco. The directions were no longer with the set, so we had to figure it out for ourselves. It is such a great toy! The children played with it in concentrated stretches throughout the entire day. (The only other toys they played with today were buckets in the back yard to collect dirt and spray bottles to spray water on things.)
What I love about toys like this are: it is wooden (a natural material, provides interesting sensory input to the hands), it is a soothing color, it requires the child actually do something creative (using his brain, building those neural connections), and it provides endless possibilities for building. A toy like this isn't electronic, doesn't do the action for the child, isn't dazzling, and doesn't hide the mechanism of action from the child (as electronic toys do).
Love it, love it, love it!
Updated with video below: Now we've got some good marble action!
My great uncle was a wood worked/farmer. He made that same toy for us when we were little. I forgot about it. I will have to call my parents and find out if they still have it! Katrina
What I love about toys like this are: it is wooden (a natural material, provides interesting sensory input to the hands), it is a soothing color, it requires the child actually do something creative (using his brain, building those neural connections), and it provides endless possibilities for building. A toy like this isn't electronic, doesn't do the action for the child, isn't dazzling, and doesn't hide the mechanism of action from the child (as electronic toys do).
My great uncle was a wood worked/farmer. He made that same toy for us when we were little. I forgot about it. I will have to call my parents and find out if they still have it!
ReplyDeleteKatrina
My sister just made the comment I was going to make. And yes Sister, they do have it. Or had it the last time I checked. We LOVED it!!!
ReplyDeleteI was stumped for a namesday gift for my oldest son tomorrow, and I just ordered these with my Amazon Prime. Can't wait to play!
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