‘A breath of fresh air’ is an activity game using the concept of building blocks to engage with your kids on discussions about the environment and the world around us.
Age - 3 years plus
What’s the game about?
When did we last talk to our kids about the environment we are leaving for them? We grew up taking the green world around us for granted, but with climate change that is no longer a given. The inspiration for this game came from an appeal by environmentalists: ‘ The earth needs atleast one tree per person’.
The game encourages kids to create their version of a world with people and trees using each of the 30 blocks of various shapes, colours and dimensions. Every single block in the game has to be used and they have to be made to fit into each other, and not just placed on top of each other. All pieces are to be used by the kids in their creations. So if any pieces are left at the end, the kids have to ensure that they use them in their creations. (Please refer illustrations on some of the possibilities).
When the children finish, you can engage with them on what they have created. For example, if the number of trees created is lesser than the people, then what does it mean for human beings and the earth. Should there be a world with more trees than humans? Why are trees important for the earth? What happens if there are more humans and less trees? The game provides a great window to start a conversation with kids on the environment.
Every time kids play with it, they can make different combinations of the blocks to create whole new worlds with entirely different trees and people. And thereby generate all new stories that they can tell with what they create. This can keeps them engaged for a long while.
Why are building blocks important?
Blocks provide children with the opportunity to exercise a variety of skills that will help them later in life. They encourage social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. They also encourage problem solving and symbolic thinking. Playing with blocks help children develop their vocabularies and even teaches them about gravity, balance, and geometry. Block play promotes the development of spatial awareness and develops hand-eye coordination as children reach for, lift, move and build with blocks, strengthening their fingers, hands and arms.They learn how to describe colors, shapes, sizes and positions as they build various structures. It also teaches kids early math and engineering skills through hands on learning.
What this does for our craft?
Creating these activity games is a great way to keep our artisans engaged in something new and challenging, while keeping our crafts alive for the next generation.
What does the game consist of ?
30 colourful blocks
An instruction leaflet
A cloth bag
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
All lacware products must be kept in shaded areas and must avoid direct exposure to sun. Avoid blows against hard surfaces.