Ask any early childhood educator and they’ll inform you (actually let’s face it, they will probably launch into an enthusiastic speech!) about the positive effects of play for children’s development. In fact, play is so vital to a child’s development that it’s recognized as a human right by the United Nations. Many toys choices out there for kids that often it becomes overwhelming for parents to decide what is worth investing in In all honesty, no parent wants to purchase toys just to be able to watch them sit on a shelf or in a basket day in and day out. This is one of the great things with toys that are open-ended, they don’t just serve as an individual play. They can be employed in many different ways, and across various different age groups, with game becoming more complex and complex as a child’s growth and maturity increases.
In playing with Connetix What are some of the methods your kid is learning and developing? Below is a glimpse certain – but I’m sure there are many more of the ways playing with our open-ended tiles are benefiting your child’s growth (without they even knowing! )…
1. Creativity
It’s not a novel idea but the possibilities of creativity are infinite with Connetix They can be used in a unique way each whenever they’re played! While creativity is essential for many careers of the future, but these open-ended toys let children express themselves creatively and work through different feelings and emotions.
2. The Imagination
As Albert Einstein once said, ” Imagine is more important than knowing.” What then can you build with your Connetix? A castle? Plane? Animal? Dollhouse? Space ship? Bridge? Robot? The Loch Ness monster? Statue of Liberty? Eiffel Tower? You might be surprised by the designs they create. Combine your Connetix to other play equipment or loose components to make play more engaging.
3. Magnetic force
Playing with Connetix an interesting method to learn about magnetic force, it is also a great way to gain knowledge about the attraction between two magnets from opposing poles (north and south). See them repel when you play with putting two opposite magnets.
4. Shapes
Connetix sets can include 2D shapes of squares, triangles (equilateral triangles, right-angled triangles and isosceles triangles) and rectangles which can be used as 2D building tiles or 3D shapes when they are made into nets. Children are able to develop an awareness of shapes’ properties and properties through games, like how many sides and corners they have (and in the case of 3D-shaped shapes the number of faces, edges and vertices) and for children older than there is no better way to explore different triangles and their angles. Fun, hands-on and enjoyable learning right there!
5. Counting
“How many tiles tall could we construct our tower before it collapses?” “How many squares are needed to build an equilateral cube?” “Let’s use 4 blue squares and five red pieces.” The possibilities are endless. many ways that counting occurs when children play with Connetix.
6. One-to-one correspondence
This brings me to one-to-one correspondence which is the capacity to match an object to the same number. Many times, you will see young children counting in their mouths without knowing what it is actually referring to or even counting a set of objects, but adding an additional number or two. It is a vital skill to learn and is a simple one to learn by playing.
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7. Symmetry and patterns
Have fun using your Connetix to make mandalas or patterns – it is a fantastic way to teach children about symmetry and patterns. Why not extend older kids in the classroom by giving them more intricate patterns to follow and create with Connetix (eg. ABBC, ABBC etc) – way more fun than worksheets!
8. Colours
While playing with Connetix an ideal way to explore the colours, but it’s also an excellent way to gain knowledge about translucency, light and to create stunning, vibrant reflections. Pop Connetix near the window, on a light table or even with magnetic colored counters for even more colour fun!
9. Weight, Stability and balance
The exploration of weight, stability and balance is an integral aspect of playing with Connetix. Children discover how tall they can make their tower collapses, investigate what’s needed to construct structures that can be stable, as well as experiment with weight and gravity.
10. Collaboration and teamwork
What parent or educator doesn’t like watching a group children playing with toys that are open to play together in creating? Connetix are the perfect open-ended toy to have at your home or in the classroom to foster cooperation and teamwork (just keep in mind that these skills can mean less argument!)
11. Problem finding solution
Problem solving is a difficult skill for a child , and one that requires time and effort to master. Playing with Connetix kids can play with this concept as they navigate creating structures, either by themselves or with a group of friends, figuring to find the most effective method to build their ideas and plans.
12. Gross and fine motor skills
Are you aware that properly developed gross and fine motor skills are necessary for effective pencil grip and handwriting? When building with Connetix, youngsters are using these skills to stretch, bend to reach, grasp pinch and so on.
13. Perseverance
How better to develop perseverance than to continue building making, creating, and working together…and not just that, but also to have the tower that you’ve spent your time building fall down! “Ok we’ll attempt again!”
14. Engineering and planning
When it comes to children, deciding on what they want to build and how to construct it is often some planning and engineering, particularly for complex structures such as a bridge or when working with others and combining their ideas. Welcome to your very own little Iggy Peck Engineer or architect!
15. Cause and effect
What’s the cause and effect of your child’s play using Connetix? If they build two tiles next to each other will they pull them together or not? When they take two tiles together, will the tiles split? If they try to build tiles without any support, what would happen? So many discoveries as they play!
16. Material properties and aesthetic sensibility
When playing with Connetix the children are exploring various materials using their senses. For instance. the touch (they feel soft, smooth and hard). What does the material like? How strong is it? How heavy? ) (sight (colours reflections, colours) or hearing (do they sound when they join together? When they fall down? ).
17. Hand-eye coordination
Connetix’s games can help your child build hand-eye coordination as they take, hold and manipulate objects to build what they desire.
18. Language skills
Play is an excellent method for children to build and develop their language skills. Through play, children not only explore their own language but also take in the speech of their fellow children and adults as they absorb the sounds of speech, learning new vocabulary and effective ways to communicate.
19. Concentration
The ability to focus and pay attention to a task does not come easily for all children , but building the ability to concentrate and focus using Connetix is a great way to practice and strengthen this ability. Concentration allows children to focus on a particular task and gain knowledge, which in turn improves their self esteem. This leads me to…
20. Self-esteem
The feeling of pride, accomplishment and satisfaction after having constructed something they’re proud of is an excellent method for children to develop their own self-esteem.
Connetix Tiles are an excellent open-ended plaything to aid in your child’s development and learning in a fun and engaging way!