Ask any early childhood teacher and they’ll inform you (actually let’s face it, they will probably launch into an emotional speech!) about the wonderful benefits of play for children’s development. In fact, play is so essential in the growth of children that it’s even recognized as a human right by the United Nations. The number of toy choices out there for kids that often it becomes overwhelming for parents to decide which ones are worth their money and let’s face it that no parent would want to purchase toys just to observe them lying on the shelf or in a basket in and day out. This is the best part of open-ended toys. They don’t just serve as an individual play. They can be used in so many ways and across many age brackets, with the games becoming more involved and complicated as children maturation and age.
So when it comes to playing with Connetix, what are some ways your child is learning and growing? Below is a glimpse some – I’m confident that there are more – of the ways playing with our open-ended tiles is benefiting your child’s growth (without they even knowing! )…
1. Creativity
I know it sounds cliche, but creativity really is limitless with Connetix They can be used in a variety of ways every moment they are played with! Not only is it important to be creative in the jobs in the near future, but open-ended toys also allow children to create their own unique and creative expressions and process different emotions and emotions.
2. The Imagination
The great Albert Einstein once said, ” Imagine is more important than knowledge.” What can you build with your Connetix? A castle? Plane? Animal? Dollhouse? Spaceship? Bridge? Robot? A.K.A. The Loch Ness monster? Statue of Liberty? Eiffel Tower? You may be surprised with what they come up with. Combine your Connetix with other play equipment or loose components to expand play even more.
3. Magnetic force
It is not just playing with Connetix an exciting way to study the force of magnetism, but it’s an ideal way to discover the attraction of two magnets from different sides (north as well as south). You can see them repel each time you attempt to put two opposing magnets.
4. Shapes
A Connetix mega pack might contain 2D designs of squares, triangles (equilateral triangles as well as right-angled triangles and isosceles triangles) and rectangles that could be used as 2D construction tiles or 3D forms by making nets. Children are able to develop an understanding of shape’s properties by engaging in games, like the number of corners and sides they have (and in the case of 3D-shaped shapes the number of faces edges, vertices and edges) and for older children it is a great method to find out about the diverse triangles and angles. Engaging, hands-on, and fun learning right now!
5. Counting
“How many tiles high can we build our tower before it collapses?” “How many squares do we need to construct the cube?” “Let’s use 4 blue squares and five colored squares.” You can find different ways that counting can occur as children play with Connetix.
6. One-to-one correspondence
This leads me to one-to-one correspondence that is the capability to identify an object by an equivalent number. Many times, you will see young children counting in a way without understanding what the word actually means or counting a collection of objects and then adding an additional number or two into. This is a crucial capability to develop and is a simple one to master through play.
7. Symmetry and patterns
Use Connetix to design mandalas or patterns – it is an easy approach to introduce children to symmetry and patterns. It is a good idea to extend older children in the classroom by giving them more intricate patterns that they can use and follow using Connetix (eg. ABBC, ABBC etc) is way more enjoyable than worksheets!
8. Colours
Not only is playing with Connetix an ideal way to experiment with colours, it is also an amazing way to understand about light, transparency and create beautiful, vivid reflections. Pop Connetix next to the window or on a table, or on magnetic counters for more colour enjoyment!
9. Balance, Stability, and weight
Investigating stability, weight and balance is an essential element of the Connetix experience. Children discover how tall they can build before their tower falls down, research what is needed to create structures that are solid and test the effects of the effects of gravity and weight.
10. Teamwork and cooperation
What parent or teacher doesn’t appreciate watching a group kids with toys that allow for open-ended play work on their own projects? Connetix are the perfect open-ended toy to have at school or at home to help encourage cooperation and teamwork (just keep in mind, these skills result in less arguments!)
11. Problem solutions
Problem solving is a tough skill to master for children and one that requires time and effort to master. While playing with Connetix, children can explore this idea as they go about creating structures, either by themselves or with friends, working to figure out the most efficient way to implement their building concepts and designs.
12. Gross and fine motor abilities
Do you realize that well developed fine and gross motor skills are the prerequisites for proficient handwriting and pencil grip? When using Connetix to build, youngsters are using these skills to stretch, bend and reach, grasp, pinch and so on.
13. Perseverance
There is no better method to practice determination than to keep building and creating, then working together…and not only that, to have a tower that you’ve spent your time building fall down! “Ok Let’s take a second shot!”
14. Engineering and planning
Children’s decisions about what they want to build and how to do it often involves some designing and engineering, particularly for complicated structures such as bridges, or when working with others and combining their ideas. Welcoming your little Iggy Peck Engineer or Architect!
15. Cause and effect
What is the cause and effect when your children create using Connetix? If they place two tiles on top of each other , will they pull together or not? If they pull two tiles apart, will they break apart? If they make tiles without any support, what would happen? There are so many things to discover as they play!
16. Material properties and aesthetics
When playing with Connetix, children are exploring different materials through their senses. For instance. touch (they feel soft, smooth how does the material feel like? What is the strength? How heavy? ) (sight (colours reflections, colours), hearing (do they make a sound when they join together? Do they sound when they fall? ).
17. Hand-eye coordination
Connetix is a great way to help your child improve their hand-eye coordination when they reach, grab and manipulate items to build what they desire.
18. Language skills
Play can be a fantastic method for children to build and practice their language abilities. Through play children can not only explore their own speech but also listen to that of their parents and peers as they absorb speech sounds, new words and ways to communicate.
19. Concentration
Developing the ability to focus and focus on a task does not come easily for everyone, however, building with Connetix is a fantastic method to develop and practice the ability to focus. Concentration is a way for children to concentrate on a particular task and gain knowledge, which in turn improves their self esteem. That leads me to…
20. Self-esteem
The feeling of accomplishment, pride and excitement when they have made something they’re proud of is a wonderful opportunity for children to build confidence in themselves.
Connetix Tiles are a fantastic open-ended toy to help support your child’s education and development in a fun and engaging way!
