At times, the best toys to give to your children are the most simple types. In the years before electronic devices took off, and even in the years before we had electricity, children still enjoyed playing with toys like blocks, puzzles and, later on, Lincoln Logs. You may think that these toys are outdated in current times: you may be surprised that they still come with many benefits for children. This article shares some of the benefits:
1) Construction Toys Are Suitable For All Ages And Genders
Construction toys aren’t specific to any age group or gender. Infants may enjoy grabbing or pushing the oddly-shaped pieces, while older children can enjoy building replicas of cities or objects. Boys can build garages for their cars, airplanes, and army bases, while girls can use the same materials to build a farm for their animals, a castle for Barbie or a house for other small toys and dolls. Since most blocks and Legos can be purchased in neutral or gender appropriate colors, it makes it easier for children to play together and simple enough for adults to be able to join in on the fun.
2) They Help Develop Social And Verbal Skills
Kids love showing off their work either to their parents or to their fellow peers. While constructing objects, parents can ask their children how they make it, what they have used or ask for their child to give them instructions on how to make another one. Not only does this encourage social skills, but it also helps children give and understand directions, practice verbalization and feel like they are the teacher for once, instead of always being the student.
When children build together, they obviously have to make a group effort to accomplish their project. By doing so, they learn how to work as a team, share and communicate without ever knowing it.
3) They Improve Motor And Problem Solving Skills
The act of grasping, snapping, clicking, stacking and moving blocks, logs, magnets or any other type of building toy promotes hand-eye coordination. Children will normally compare pieces before trying to connect or stack them, which will teach kids about depth perception, and help them practice recognizing “same and different.”
Older children must use math to count the pieces they will need, and reading skills when instructions are included to build a more elaborate toy. Children with a learning disability especially benefit from the development of these skills.
Whatever your reason may be for purchasing construction toys, you can be assured that building your child’s skills for the future is as simple as child’s play.