Jumbo Circus

Product Description

Cognitive 4

Skills

• As kids play with the Jumbo Circus set, they are learning basic mathematics like matching, counting, and sorting.
• The attributes like size and color of the elephants help teach kids the skill of sorting during play.
• Part to whole relationships are supported as kids match the individual elephants together like a puzzle, build towers, and construct with the Jumbo Circus set to make a whole. 

Play Ideas

• Stack and measure. Stack the elephants next to the remote, dad’s shoe, or a book to see how long it is.
• Caregivers can read stories before playing with the Jumbo Circus set to inspire kids’ imaginations and expand creativity as they mimic some of the ideas from the book.
• Create a die that includes the following sides: small, medium, large, plank and wild (2). Roll the die to place the elephants and the planks during play. 

Physical 4

Skills

• Hand-eye coordination is honed as kids place the elephants together like a puzzle, stack them on top of the planks, or construct creations with the Jumbo Circus set pieces.
• Pincer grasp and whole hand grasp are encouraged as kids pick up the elephants and place them on the planks or balance them on top of each other.
• Midline crossing and hand transferring are supported as kids pick up pieces out of immediate reach and move pieces from hand to hand during play. 

Play Ideas

• Test out different surfaces to try and balance the Jumbo Circus on. Make a guess on whether or not the elephant tower will stay balanced before building it.
• Create different “roads” by setting up the planks on an angle to roll a marble, bouncy ball, toy car or train down. 

Social/Emotional 4

Skills

• Self-esteem is enhanced as kids successfully keep the Jumbo Circus set balanced when using the planks or stacking the elephants on top of each other.
• Construction sets like Jumbo Circus encourage children to listen and communicate with others during play over an enjoyable shared activity.
• Jumbo Circus can be used as a solitary activity or as a cooperative activity with others.
• The open-ended nature of the Jumbo Circus set promotes decision making skills and provides kids with opportunities to explore at their own pace.  

Play Ideas

• Construction play is a prime time for caregivers to ask kids open-ended questions. For example, “What might happen if…” or “How many ways can you…” might encourage conversation and expand play.
• Kids can create families out of the elephants with the small, medium and large sizes. For example, large could be dad and small could be a child.