Page 24 - Toy & Hobby Dec-Jan 2020

CONSTRUCTION
10 REASONS TO PLAY
Build, Create, Play: the benefits of playing with building toys
We all know that playing with building toys is beneficial for kids but did anyone ever tell you why? Jessica Lopa reports.
BUILDING toys have significant cognitive and academic benefits for children of all ages. Not only are they fun and exciting, but they help kids develop a wide variety of skills and abilities. They help prepare kids for school, sports and life. I guess you can say that these toys are the ‘building blocks’ for success!
There are both short- and long-term positive effects of playing with construction toys. For instance, kids can learn basic colours and shapes which are rote and immediate, while also learning visual-spatial awareness which will help develop future reading and writing skills. Kids will also learn to cooperate with others as well as problem solve. Both skills are needed in childhood and as an adult. Other benefits include:
1IMPROVES FINE MOTOR MANIPULATION AND STRENGTH While playing with building toys, kids have to learn how to move and manipulate various shaped objects, big and small, as well as have the fine motor control to click them into place. This helps build motor strength as well as visual skills and motor planning.
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visual-spatial skills which is crucial for reading readiness. As kids build, they have to understand spatial organisation in order to create a structure that does not topple over.
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Every time a child builds and creates a structure or even an entire world, kids have to use reasoning and critical thinking skills. They also have to problem solve when something does not work the way they hoped it would. These skills are what make children become well-rounded, independent and successful adults.
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their belief in themselves which, in turn, boosts their self-confidence.
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When building, kids need to decide what will
or won’t work. They have to think quickly and readjust designs when needed. This helps build important problem solving skills which are needed in school and in life.
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ENHANCES SPATIAL AWARENESS
Building toys help kids enhance their
INVOLVES FOCUS AND PATIENCE
Children need to work slowly and carefully
ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO
USE THEIR MINDS INSTEAD OF RELYING ON TECHNOLOGY
Kids today rely too much on technology so it is always beneficial to play with toys that focus on hands-on, interactive fun that requires thinking skills!
ENCOURAGES THINKING AND
REASONING
HELPS DEVELOP PROBLEM
SOLVING SKILLS
to be successful at creating their designs. This helps build their ability to focus and maintain attention for longer periods of time. It also teaches the important skill of patience.
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6BUILDS CONFIDENCE
Once that masterpiece is finished, children are so proud of their accomplishments. It increases
CAN LEAD INTO PRETEND AND
IMAGINARY PLAY
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SPARKS THE IMAGINATION
Building toys allow children to create
their own fantasy worlds and stories. Using the imagination boosts cognitive, academic, language and social growth. As they create structures, they also create stories which leads to greater verbal skills including their ability to tell stories.
Once the castle, fort, city or whatever your child creates is complete, then the story telling and pretend play begins! This is great for social and language development.
INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE
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Through building, kids learn to experiment and make new discoveries about how things work. They are also introduced to worlds of architecture and design which brings them into the STEM world. ❉
This article was originally published on
mommyuniversitynj.com.
24 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY 2020