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CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY: What Can I Make?
Children begin to use materials and incorporate planning, coordination, problem solving and creativity. Materials are used in simple and then more complex ways. Matching and contrasting shapes and sizes characterize these toys. A wide range of items is found, from same size single shapes to varied shapes and blocks. Young children begin constructing by placing items on top of or next to each other.
Children combine manipulation, creativity and planning in similar ways when interacting with a variety of expressive materials. Make sure to provide a range of creative experiences with materials such as play dough, paints. brushes, markers, finger paints, etc., to use on a variety of surfaces: papers, cardboards, bathtubs, sand boxes, trays, etc.
CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY: SUGGESTED TOYS
Lego Soft Blocks (Lego) |
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Building is easy with these over-size (3.5X 3.5; 3.5 X 7") blocks, six times the size of ordinary LEGO blocks. Large but light, soft and quiet, the blocks encourage more than one child to play. Early creative success leads to constructing any type of design to making life-like buildings, chairs and tables. Features that extend their use include blocks that are decorated with eyes and mouth, roof tile bricks, and lots of basic bricks in four colors.
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Wild Animals Sound Puzzle (Small World Toys):
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Children are rewarded with matching wild animal sounds as they put each of the 6 puzzle pieces in place. The pieces are raised offering more options to locate them and get them in and out. Children may discover that shading the open shapes with their hand also causes the sounds to be made.
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Pop ‘n Twirl Building Table – (Fisher Price, Inc.) |
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Building pieces have interesting color and texture and include animal and vehicle shapes to create new combinations. The put together pieces are easy to use + and can be built on the base or other pieces. Pressing the button sets the pieces on the base spinning. The table's height allows sitting or kneeling.
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Magnetic Letters & Numbers – ( Huggy Buggy) |
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These large (1" X 4") three-dimensional letters and numbers are easy to hold and will stick to any metal surface such as refrigerators and cookie sheets. Their bright colors and fuzzy flocked covering encourages children to feel and learn their shape. They can be used to sort, arrange, find letters, spell or can be combined with other magnets.
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Magnetic Tabletop Easel (ALEX)
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This flexible art center can be used in several play spaces- on the floor, table or tray. It has a double-sided surface with a green chalkboard on one side and a magnetic dry erase board on the other. Trays on both sides offer a place for chalk and 4 non-spill paint cups fit in the built-in openings. Use with the ALEX paintbrushes designed for users with different hand grasps.
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Model Magic (Crayola) |
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This nontoxic, lightweight, soft material makes it easy to pat, roll, indent holes or create any form. Try using tools such as spoons, straws and cookie cutters to add more shape and dimension. Colors can be combined to make marbled patterns. Cover with wrap to use over again or when left to dry for 24 hours, children can paint and keep their creations.
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Paint 'n' Swirl with Neon Colors
Natural Science Ind Ltd |
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Simply turn on the electronic spinner, squirt the paint and glitter onto the card to create an original design. Children can make a new picture every time. Becasue it is battery-operated, it can be adapted for switch use. |
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Because this creative toy uses batteries, a battery adapter and switch can provide a way for any child to get the spinner spinning.
NOTE: For more about switch adapted toys, go to the Let's Play! Website.
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