'Just Blocks' can teach a child how to focus on a task at hand and how to persevere in successfully achieving a target. Through the creative experience of block construction, a child can thus learn about completing projects and in discovering their abilities. The 'Just Blocks' sets are designed so as to let children find their own solutions to structural problems and to develop spatial management skills through engaging in play.
Development
The 'Just Blocks' grow with the child. Every stage in child development benefits. A 3-year old begins by simply arranging and combining the different block elements. This involves recognising and matching shapes so that the blocks fit to any desired construction. The toddler thus learns to maintain the required hand-grip strength, becomes aware of wood block texture and about spatial relationships (ie. up, down, left, right). At this stage, towers are built (ie. one block above another) more than walls (adjacent blocks) or straight roads.
At the age of 4-5 years the child tends to be more precise in its planning, where more complex building structures are made. They are also better able to deal with being frustrated, how to solve problems and to achieve goals. 7+ year olds who can build complicated three-dimensional spatial structures will also be able to create obstacles, gates, windows, bridges, etc as part of their construction. On top of this, children are welcome to add other elements such as vehicles and dolls to their imaginary play. A seven-year-old accustomed to playing with 'Just Blocks' can grasp some basic rules of physics, is able to balance their building constructions and to have a well-developed spatial imagination. Such a child is unafraid of challenges. First, pyramids are created, then castles, houses, motorways and many other constructs. Another very important feature of 'Just Blocks' is the fascinating challenge it poses for older people (ie. teenagers, parents or even grandparents). It is indeed a great idea for family playing.
Planning
This is the first step required in building any construction. The child therefore needs to have sufficient numbers of building elements, a playing space and perhaps the help and advice of a friend or parent can be most welcome. During the play building, a child may find that some plans and assumptions need to changed or modified so that structures become more stable and functional to what is desired. Such experience can be used by the child for future project design.
Being precise
The 'Just Blocks' bricks teach children PRECISION when building new structures. The child will soon learn that structures are more stable when the elements are placed together both precisely and accurately.
Structures can be made to have an individual character by adding some of the smaller building elements like posts. During the building, the child concentrates on the task in hand and develps its fine motor skills and hand to eye coordination.
Playing
For a child, PLAYING is the best way of learning. Building various structures using 'Just Blocks' is just the beginning. Any newly built structure becomes a new play zone, which can house the child’s favourite characters/toy figures or toy vehicles. The bringing-to-life of new architectural images is tantamount to the child discovering new forms of amusement and gaining experience. Undertaking new projects means that playing with 'Just Block's will never turn into a boring pastime.
