Do blocks count as progressive toys?
Table of contents
Play through creation is an attractive form for children, and the high effectiveness of such products has made them often used also in the treatment of disorders such as ADHD or dyslexia. It may be interesting to note that the so-called fidget toys now popular among the adult part of the population, which are used to occupy the hands during everyday moments, derive directly from progressive toys. Like them, they are designed to focus attention and help achieve concentration. But let's go back to our topic - can we also include children's building blocks among progressive toys?
Creative toys vs. concentration and imagination
The salutary effect on the development of young minds that have building blocks for children, are appreciated by both therapists and parents themselves. Age-appropriate in complexity, the sets are perfect for practicing concentration and the ability to logically analyze the accompanying pictorial instructions, and then carry them out manually. Long-term creation of constructions based on the scheme teaches the child to be patient and to enter a state of concentration, while the final result of play teaches to associate these qualities with pleasure. Blocks for children, however, are not only about building based on the included instructions - realizing their own ideas very effectively develops imagination and creativity. Folding and unfolding blocks of the right size for the child's age supports the learning of precise use of fingers, translating into increase in manual skills. Creative toys of all kinds are often an important aid to therapy for children with concentration disorders such as ADHD. Creative play and staying focused for a long time effectively calms the child and teaches how to keep attention. The widespread use of this type of toys in specialized therapies is the best evidence of their beneficial effects on child development.
Summary
There is no doubt that plastic or wooden blocks we can count among the progressive toys. Depending on the child's stage of development, they work by stimulating the senses, teach logical thinking and creativity, and even help with concentration - the key is to select them appropriately for the child's age. Choosing a set of building blocks, pay attention to the material from which they are made - you should only buy products that are safe for health, not colored with toxic dyes.
