These sunflower blocks have become something of a sanity saver for our little family.
I found these at Ebay for a very reasonable price. They’re quite small, so I’d probably avoid offering them to the under three’s. They’re made from a slightly flexible plastic.
Missy 3 is obsessed with making loads of flowers with these, then carries them around the house, proudly showing everyone her colourful creations.
These blocks encourage:
- fine motor skills and strength
- eye/hand coordination
- problem solving skills
- mental planning
- maths
- spatial awareness
- learn about colours
- and my favourite: play quietly!!
These blocks keep my kids quiet for such a long time that I often whip them out when I’m cleaning the house.
Here’s how we set up this activity so the kids can get the most fun out of it:
- we have a clearly defined area for constructive play, such as a blanket on the floor, or a little table. We encourage the kids to keep the blocks in this space. It’s not as restrictive as it may sound, and if anything, gives them the freedom to find the blocks when they come back, rather than scattered all over the house.
- we have a special container put aside to store the blocks in and encourage the kids to pack them up when finished.
Setting up the activity in this way allows them to really concentrate for quite a while.
What constructive toys have your preschoolers been playing with lately?
I had these when I was in Grade 1 back in 1969. They also had coloured sticks. I loved them. Your post brought back heaps of lovely memories!
Anne @ Domesblissity xx
Anne @ Domesblissity´s last post ..My top 5 favourite songs from children’s TV/movies
We have something very similar here and I agree, total sanity saver. Both kids love them and I know that they’ll give me 10 minutes peace while playing with them!
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Hi Sharon,
I have just discovered your blog through your follow on Twitter, thank you. I think the connection was very timely. Hear Mum Roar, really struck a chord with me. I was just thinking those words only 8 weeks ago when I was in labour with my second bub. Tonight I was needing to call on some of that strength whilst holding my screaming bub. 8 weeks of colic/reflux and constant screaming is taking its toll. I look forward to reading your posts. After reading your ‘About’ section I felt I had a lot in common with your ideals and thank you for reminding me how ‘strong’ us mums can be. x
My son had a set of these, and he came to me one day ( think he was about 7), with them all joined together in a spiral shaped line, asking me to “guess what it is mum”. I went through the usual .. snake, roller coaster etc …. until finally he rolled his eyes at me and said … “Its DNA mum, can’t you see?”. Of course it is child, how silly of me not to see that. They are a great toy, that encourages innovative thinking, and imagination, as well as fine motor skills.
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That is a pretty thing to play.. My son will definitely love this.. He loves constructing like blocks.. This is one is new to him.. Thanks for the post!
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This is a very good stuff for kids developmental skills. I like this way way back but not exactly like this. And if we see our children doing something creative we should appreciate it, just like giving also patience when they not in the mood. =)
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Your post brought back heaps of lovely memories!I already buy this kind of toy before for my niece its really good toy..
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These look great! So retro.
Wanna say way too that this is a very excellent things for little ones developmental expertise. I like this way way back but not precisely like this. And if we see our kids performing some thing creative we really should appreciate it, just like offering also endurance when they not in the mood.
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This is a good toy compare to other’s that are not educational instead a violence one.
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