10 Benefits of Building Blocks

Did you know the benefits of development when it comes to building with blocks or legos?

1. Problem Solving 

Problem solving is beneficial in block building as it requires the builder to think about how to make this block structure stand on it's on. Problem solving on how to place the pieces to benefit the structure. 

2. Imagination

Imagination comes into play when the builder decides what to build. Sometimes it is thought of beforehand and sometimes the structure just comes together as they problem solve. They get to follow their own plan or work together as a team to create the structure they envision. 

3. Self-Expression

When children get to express themselves through art no matter if they are drawing, dancing, or building they are expressing their thoughts and in turn themselves. 

4. Mathematics

Carefully calculating the number of blocks on each side or tall is vital in the building process. You must calculate out the blocks in order to create a sturdy structure. 

5. Continuity & Permanence

Building block engages spatial awareness and mobile abilities. It can be in the sense of parallel play or working together as a group. 

6. Creativity 

Along with self-expression, children get to be creative on what they build. They use their imaginations to come up with a concept and problem solve to make it come to life!

7. Science

This activity is an opportunity to test hypotheses and build scientific reasoning through play and imagination. 

8. Self-Esteem

Children discover that they have ideas and that they can bring their ideas to life by creating, transforming, demolishing, and re-creating something unique. 

9. Social and Emotional Growth

Blocks help children learn to take turns and share, develop friendships, become self-reliant, increases attention span, follow directions, and develop confidence in their abilities. 

10. Fine Motor Skills

Using your fingers to manipulate different size and textures of blocks helps in the development of fine motor skills. 

9 Summer Learning Activities

Keep the learning going this summer with these fun activities! 

1. Visit a museum - Check out our previous blog here

2. Write in Journals

3. Language Games - Apples to Apples, etc.

4. Read, Read, Read

5. Gardening

6. Scavenger Hunts

7. Family Activity Day Planning - Have your kiddo plan a day out regarding all concepts (Time, Cost, Lunch, etc)

8. Visit the Zoo 

9. Colors Calendar - Click here for the free download

Museums to Visit This Summer!

Going to a museum is a great way to continue education throughout the summer! 

Museums offer a dynamic opportunity to experience new things and explore in a rich educational environment. They are a foundation for creativity, critical thinking, and connection to the world around us. Museums promote imagination and inspire identity building learning experiences for all. 

Here are museums to visit this summer without breaking the bank and even getting in for FREE! 

Seattle:

Seattle Art Museum – Free for children 12 and under. First Thursday of each month, admission is free to the public!

Burke Museum – Free for children 5 and under. First Thursday of each month is free to the public

Henry Art Gallery – Children are free. First Thursday of every month is free to the public. Free admission every Sunday.

Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation -Visitor Center -  Admission is free during their business hours of 10am - 6pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Seattle Children's Museum – Children under 1 are free. DSHS/Provider One card holders get $1 admission. Sensory Sensitive Saturdays are the first Saturday of every month from 8:30am – 10am, tickets are $3 admission and must be repurchased.

Misc:

Artists at Play Playground – Free to the public

Tacoma:

Tacoma Children's Museum – Pay-as-you will admission program allows you to pay what you can afford to attend the musem. Tuesdays from 10am – 11:30 are specials needs play days!

Tacoma Art Museum – Admission is free with Tacoma Children’s museum ticket (from same day.) Children under 5 are free. The third Thursday of every month is free from 5pm to 8pm. Bank of America card holders/employees are free the first weekend of every month.

LeMay - America's CarMuseum - On certain Fridays each month, Lemay offers a free drive in movie at the America's Car Museum Haub Family Field. Watch from your car, chair, or blanket. Friday, August 11th they will be playing Moana!

Bellevue:

Bellevue Arts Museum – Free admission on the first Friday of every month. Children under 6 are free.

KidsQuest Children's Museum - free admission on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Children under 1 are free.

Renton:

Museum of Flight - Children 4 years and under are free. On the first Thursday of every month admission is free to the public from 5pm - 9pm. 

Bremerton:

Bug & Reptile Museum - free to the public.

Bainbridge Island:

KiDiMu - Kids DiscoveryMuseum - free admission the first Thursday of every month. Children under 1 year old are free

Decision Making Opportunities for those with a Communication Disorder

Making little choices is an important daily function. We make decisions about what to wear, what to eat, and what to do daily. Imagine if someone else was making these decisions for you. Would you be happy with their decision? Despite the insignificance of these decisions, not making these decisions yourself can be demoralizing and limiting. 

It’s important to recognize how this may affect those with a communication disorder. Helping them to express their needs and wants through giving options could dilute a potential frustrating situation for them. While they may not know how to respond to open ended questions, giving choices can help them give an appropriate answer while practicing recall. For example, “Would you like to eat a banana or an orange?” instead of "What would you like to eat?"

Giving them the option to make these decisions gives them a sense of independence and empowerment. This also demonstrates that you respect their desires and needs.

Benefits of giving choices:

• Allowing children to make decisions demonstrates the role communication plays in making requests in a concrete, immediate way. For example, “Would you like to tie your shoes or would you like me to do it for you?”

• Giving them choices creates opportunities to model and expand language.

• Offering choices helps to set expectations when giving directions. Phrasing a command as two choices can give you a quicker response while helping the child to feel independent and as if it was their idea. For Example, “Would you like to put your socks or shirt on first?” This questions has an underlying command saying “It’s time to get ready.”

Also, it can help to make the child feel in control of their environment. Giving two choices can help them to maintain predictability and reduce the uncertainty of their environment.

Coming soon!

Elizabeth is having a baby boy at the start of December and we can't wait to meet the little guy!  We had a baby shower yesterday in their honor.  We are going to miss her while she is gone on maternity leave!  I will be at the Mercer Island office while she is away being a new mom.  I am excited to get to know all of the Mercer Island families. 🙂

You might also see someone new in our picture, Dana, our graduate student.  She has done an amazing job over the past few months and will be leaving us soon.  We are going to miss her and all of the great work she provides.

In other news, it is Thanksgiving next week.  Everyone enjoy all of the good food and time with family and friends.

-Cassee