We Block Series

Product Description

Cognitive 4

Skills

• We Block Series promotes the development of color and pattern recognition and identification via the Block’s panels coloring and patterns that adorn their surfaces.

• We Block Series promotes the development of classification skills as players select and create structures and patterns using the Block panels with distinct characteristics including color, texture, and shapes on the panels.

• We Block Series promotes the development of part to whole relationships as the players interlock the individual Block panels to construct a structure.

Play Ideas

• To strengthen color recognition and sequencing skills, facilitator will construct a sample color pattern like yellow, red, red, blue and instruct the player to recreate the same sequence.  Facilitator may encourage player to verbally repeat the colors as he or she puts them in place to aid in color identification.

• To develop understanding of comparison skills, facilitator will instruct the player to use the panels to construct structures or shapes that are shorter, taller, wider, etc. than the player, facilitator, favorite stuffed animal, his / her bed, and so on.

• To develop classification and sorting skills, facilitator will find multiple-sized objects around the home or facility that will fit easily through the Construction Tower panels’ windows.  Instruct player to sort all the objects according to the sides into which the player estimates they will fit through, followed by inserting the objects through the openings. Facilitator will assist player in tracking successful attempts.

Adaptation Ideas

• To facilitate the identification and memorization of We Block’s panels’ colors, facilitator will create flash cards with a large dot of color that matches the panels which the player can use as a reference. Letters or color names can be added to the flashcard for additional prompting or learning.

• To simplify construction efforts, facilitator will create small-scale paper copies of the Block panels for the player to use to plan his / her construction before implementation. 

Sensory 4

Skills

• We Block Series promotes tactile exploration as the player feels the Block panels’ textures, raised patterns, and interlocking edges under hands and feet as he / she manipulates panels during construction or play.

• We Block Series develops visual discrimination skills as player examines the Block panels for differences in color, pattern, openings sizes, and types of reflections.

• We Block Series develops visual processing as the player scans, assesses, and makes adjustments to his / her construction project created by the individual Block panels.

Play Ideas

• To promote tactile exploration, facilitator will instruct player to identify the Block panels by touch exclusively.

• To enhance sensory play and creativity, player will trace or make rubbings of the We Block Tactile Block panels to create their own unique artwork. Player can also use crayons or paint to color in the blank spaces they have outlined.

• To promote auditory discrimination, player will use the various Block panels as percussive instruments to create unique sounds. For example, the player will utilize a wooden or metal spoon to “play” the Tactile Block patterns like a washboard, or construct Block Cubes filled with sound-absorbing materials such as pillows or stuffed animals to play as timpani drums, or build Block “dice” and fill with noise-making materials and roll for a sound experience.

Adaptation Ideas

• To enhance visual discrimination of textures or edges of the Block panels, adhere opaque white tape to select areas on the panel to draw attention to the contrast of foreground and background colors / textures. 

• Tape white or black construction paper or poster board to one side of the “window” Block panels to increase visual discrimination while player is constructing with pieces.

Physical 3

Skills

• We Block Series develops two-handed play as the player utilizes both hands to manipulate and interlock the Block panels to construct his/ her creation.

• We Block Series develops gross motor skills as the player uses and coordinate large muscle groups to build with the Block panels at different heights (standing up, sitting, lifting and lowering) and lengths (reaching, crawling).

• We Block Series develops and strengthens hand grasp as the player handles the Block panels to explore them and interlock them with one another. 

Play Ideas

• To practice gross motor skills and coordinated movement development, facilitator will use eight Block panels to construct a pair of “Activity Dice”, assign a physical activity to each side of one die, and a number to each side of the other. Activity examples include jumping jacks, sprints, camel walk, crab walk, or touching toes. Player(s) will take a turn rolling the Activity Dice, which indicates the type of activity and repetitions in which the player(s) must engage.

• To strengthen eye-hand / -foot coordination skill development, facilitator and player will create a soccer / football / lacrosse goal using the Block panels. Player will then attempt to kick or throw the ball into the goal. Facilitator will keep score of successful attempts.

• To practice visual motor integration, play the Bozo Bucket game utilizing the Block panels as buckets. Facilitator will line up the Tactile Block panels at equal distances from one another. Player will toss bean bags onto each panel. The farther the panel from the player, the more points awarded. Facilitator will assist player in tracking point accumulation.