Importance and Opportuneness of Childs Play - Essay Example

This will encourage parents to actively engage their children with the aforementioned toys and allow the child time to play.

Puzzle Blocks
One such toy would be “Puzzle Blocks”. This toy combines the gains in solving puzzles as well as playing with blocks while challenging a young mind in many ways. Puzzle Blocks essentially consist of a set of cubic blocks made of plastic or wood. Each of the six sides of anyone block has a part of a picture such that when one side on each block in the set is lined up correctly; it forms a complete square picture. Thus; the entire set of blocks consists of a set of six pictures that can be formed by lining up the appropriate sides. Each set of blocks may consist of as few as 4 blocks or as many as 16 blocks.

For example, in a 4 block set, one side of each block will have one-quarter of a picture. In the graphic alongside, the 4 quarters are named A, B, C, and D.

When the blocks are lined up properly; they will form a correct picture. In the image, the first is a correct lineup, while the second is not.

Different sets may be designed for different age groups; with a smaller set of blocks with single object pictures for 2-4-year-old children; while a larger set with more detailed pictures may be developed for children who are age 5+. Each set of blocks shall be accompanied by a leaflet that carries images of the six complete pictures.

The child is required to turn the blocks around, and choose the appropriate sides for any one of the six pictures, and try to arrange the blocks to form the picture. A younger child may need to use the leaflet as a reference; while an older child will enjoy exploring the blocks unaided. After achieving success with one image; the child can be encouraged to move on to the next one.

This toy – Puzzle Blocks – helps develop the child’s bio-social abilities, in that it involves the use of dexterity and positioning of the blocks so that they are properly placed on top of each other; with the vertical sides aligned as well. This provides the child with the task of properly placing the blocks not just on top of each other; but also alongside each other. The toy also helps in the development of rhythmic movements as the child is required to explore all sides of the block thoroughly to find the appropriate one.

Puzzle Blocks encourage the development of a number of cognitive abilities. Stimulus identification, stimulus selection, and rejection; gestalt image development, and problem-solving are some basic cognitive abilities that the toy requires that the child use in order to achieve success. The toy sets the task of choosing and using the appropriate side and then selecting the position of each block so the picture is completed. Repeated use and engaging the child in progressively more complex variations of the toy will help in strengthening these abilities in a child.

This toy also has the capacity to be used to help develop the child’s psychosocial abilities. The blocks can be used in group activities so that each child in a group has only partial blocks. They can be encouraged to seek out and join forces with a child who has the other blocks in that complete the picture. Such activities mirror a number of adult situations and can teach the child to collaborate and share. The blocks can be used for an activity that the child shares with a significant adult; so that the child and adult develop positive bonds through shared experiences. The toy can thus be used to help children develop relationships, and the ability to reach collaborative solutions.


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