Day 108: natural blocks

If we lived in Seattle, Washington my children would be going to Teacher Tom.  He is one of the most innovative, hands-on and daring teachers of preschoolers I have ever seen.  He let's them use power tools! 

So when I saw a project that he did with his kids a while back that I thougt I might be able to tackle I just had to try it.  But of course it didn't work out.  I couldn't do with my hand saw what he could do with a table saw.  BUT I have a father with a construction company!  So I put him on the job of creating me some tree blocks!

They can simply be used for stacking and building but Teacher Tom took it one step further and made something to go with the blocks.  So once again I asked Pawpaw to get busy and he made us this.

Put the two together and you get...

And for your viewing pleasure!

 

 

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The Nitty Gritty!

These blocks are amazing.  Sam has had so much fun playing with them already.  She "makes" trees with them, counts and builds.  I think the hand-eye coordination work is great.  I know there are plastic toys that do the same thing but I really think anytime she can use natural products instead of plastic it is a good thing.  Today she also noticed that not all the blocks looked the same which prompted a conversation about how all trees are not the same, that they look different, are different sizes, shapes and colors.  We wouldn't have had that conversation if we were building with a plastic set!

Here is the link that inspired these blocks.

Teacher Tom - Tree Blocks

But I have also seen these blocks at Counting Coconuts. 

Teacher Tom also posted about how they turned the blocks into beads!  Can't wait to do this as well.

So thank you Pawpaw!  Head on over and check out Kuhn Construction's latest projects and leave him some comment love!  I mean a construction company that is blogging...how cool is that!?

Comments

[Francesca]

What a great toy!

[Counting Coconuts]

Oh what fun! Love how chunky they are and that you can stack them onto pegs, too. Well done, Pawpaw! :)

[Greatarquitect.wordpress.com]

Hey this is a pretty amazing game! Just love it!

[Angela]

Those are awesome! Kids really love wood. Oh man if my dad had a construction company . . . .

[Sonora]

That is so clever. What a great idea. I think my kids would play with that for hours!

[Thewifeknits.wordpress.com]

Oh wow, I love these and I know my toddler would too. So many different options, good excuse to get the old saw out ;) Thanks!

[Janet]

This is really a wonderful idea! I'm goint to share this with everyone I know who has kids. I love that it's natural, and they can be used in so many different ways.

[Mandy]

This is the most amazing thing~ I'm definitely going to solicit my father-in-law to make some!

[Deb Chitwood @ Living Montessori Now]

What a great idea! And that you have someone special to make things like that for you is awesome. What a sweet video, too!