Legos are great toys and one of the most creative tools that children can use.  Since children love them so much, they make for excellent Math and Language Arts manipulatives. For parents looking to offer new challenges to keep their kids learning, Legos are a fun medium to test both the parents’ and child’s creativity.

1. Addition – Write out simple addition equations on a piece of paper.  Leave enough space for your child to match the number of pegs on each block with the written number.  Or you could reverse it, place the pegs on the table and ask your child to write out the numbers that match the pegs.
2. Subtraction – Place one Lego that has fewer pegs on top of another that has more to reveal subtraction concepts.  For example, a 12-peg Lego beneath an 8-peg Lego of the same color that is being subtracted, helps children to put quantities into groups.
3. Recognizing Patterns – Choose two or three different colors, and have your child create various pattern types.  Or create the pattern yourself and have your child to determine what the pattern is.
4. Comparing Numbers – Stack up blocks next to each other, and ask your child which one contains more.  Then demonstrate how the greater than/less than symbol indicates the amount as well.
5. Non-Standard Measuring – Take any toy that your child likes and use Legos to measure them.  Then ask how many Legos long is your toy?
6. Making Perfect Squares – Line up Legos so that they form multiplication arrays that display perfect squares.  For example, 2 x 2 is 4.  Then have your child to count the pegs represented in the answer.
7. Multiplication and Division – Use Legos to show groups.  Three groups of eight make twenty four.  Then write out the equation, 3 x 8 = 24.  You could also write out 8 + 8 + 8 = 24, to show that multiplication is repeated addition.
8. Counting and Number Matching – This next one works better on bigger blocks, like Lego Duplos.  I used a small dry erase marker to write on the blocks.  They erase well with the wipe of a tissue.  Separate the blocks, write the numbers on them, then have your child to match them up.  This will help them learn to relate the cardinal number to the written number, and to the quantity – represented in the dots.
9. Putting the Alphabet in Order – Mix up blocks and spread them out, then have your child to put them in order.  Make this activity more fun by having your child sing the alphabet song while playing the game, or race against a timer.
10. Making Letters – Work with your child to creatively form as many letters as you can with the blocks.
11. Sentence Structure – Write a simple sentence, like the one below.  Mix up all the words, and have your child to place them in order, to form a complete sentence.
12. Prefixes – Write the prefix on the smaller block, and the root word on the larger block to demonstrate how the prefix changes the word.
13. Suffixes – Write the suffix on the smaller block, and the root word on the larger block to demonstrate how the suffix changes the word.
14. Subject & Predicate – Write a basic sentence and then choose two large blocks on which to write ‘subject’ and ‘predicate.’ You can do this with nouns and verbs, or if your child is more advanced, use subjects and predicates.  But use the larger blocks to label the parts of the sentence, and smaller blocks to write the words.
15. Word Families/Rhyming Words – Use one similar color to write a list of rhyming words.  Point out the spelling of these words and point out how they are similar in sound and spelling.  Use the blocks to group them together.

There are so many ways to use Legos to teach or reinforce academic concepts.  We love this as a means to supplemental homeschool and encourage our children’s growth.

Mommies, what are some other ways that you have used Legos in your home?

Запись Legos Unlocked: 15 Ways to Use Legos to Teach Math and Language Arts впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

1. Ruby Rails

Just the other day, my daughter told me that Ruby Rails is her favorite doll, so I had to list her first.  I must admit I love her too.  She is the first Black action figure doll that I have seen.  She is also a coder, and she comes with a parachute pack that allows girls to learn about engineering and aerodynamics while playing with her.

2.Healthy Roots

I love everything about this company which was started by a young design student who created the dolls and a children’s book to teach girls how to take care of their hair.   The dolls are available for pre-order.

3. Naturally Perfect Dolls

The line of dolls was created by  two parents who saw the need for their daughters to have a dolls with natural hair.  These dolls come in four shades of brown but the unique thing about this dolls is that they have “hair you can style/wash as natural hair.”

4. Ntomb’entle Dolls

In Zulu, Ntomb’entle means beautiful girl.  The Ntomb’entle dolls were created by Molemo Kgomo so that her daughter could relate to a beautiful Black South African doll.  I love that these dolls all have short hair.  It seems that although many dolls and books aim to teach girls about the beauty of their natural texture, very few encourage girls to embrace short hair.  These dolls are a perfect example of beautiful dolls that don’t have hair flowing down their backs.

5. Pretty Brown Girl

More than a doll, Pretty Brown Girl is a movement to teach girls to follow their dreams.  The doll was created by a mother who had a bad experience in an American Girl store.  In addition to the doll there are Pretty Brown Girl clubs as well as an after school program and an annual Pretty Brown Girl Day.

6. Queens of Africa

Based in Nigeria, this doll company creates dolls that embrace Nigerian culture and Black fashion and beauty.  The dolls also have story books and music that aim to empower girls of African descent.  The dolls come with Nigerian names from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

7. OffDHookCreations

For anyone who is looking for a customized doll, please check out OffDHookCreations on ETSY.  I learned about these beautiful dolls from following the Instagram page of the same name.

8. Brown Eyed Dolls

Brown Eyed Dolls is a toy company that produces “dolls with wonderful curly, kinky hair, dolls with deep dark gorgeous skin tones and dolls with lighter skin tones.”

9. Ikuzi Dolls

The creator of Ikuzi Dolls,  Ozi Okaro has two daughters with different skin tones.  She was inspired by her daughters and her own experience growing up with a lack of dolls that represented her own beauty.

10. I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl

This doll comes from the main character of the children’s book that comes from the same name.

11. EthiDolls

“EthiDolls was founded on the idea that strong, smart & confident girls need relevant role models that are reflections of themselves.” The line of dolls is inspired by African real life women leaders from history such as Queen Mother Yaa Asantewa and other African royalty.  The dolls come with story books and an audio CD that teaches them history.

12. Hearts for Hearts-Rachel

Hearts for Hearts is a company that makes dolls that represent various nations around the world. Rachel is from Ethiopia.  She comes in two different outfits and has beautiful curly hair.

Moms, what are your favorite Black dolls?

Запись 11 Beautiful Black Dolls Beyond Barbie and Doc McStuffins впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Before I continue I want to be clear that I’m speaking of baby dolls i.e. dolls meant to represent an infant. Not general stuffed animals and stuffed toys.

So why won’t I buy a baby doll for my daughter?

1. My daughter is a baby. I don’t believe she needs to play with a baby.

A heavily touted benefit of playing with baby dolls is the development of empathy and care. You pretend to feed, clothe, burp and comfort the baby. But I’m honestly not sure those are skills my daughter — who at 14 months old is a baby herself — really needs to learn. And honestly the concept of babies learning how to take care of babies has always struck me as a bit bizarre. I do want my daughter to be compassionate, but I believe she will learn that by receiving love and care. I trust she will learn how to be tender and affectionate with the people she loves because I am tender and affectionate with her.

2. There are better toys, in my opinion, for mental and emotional development.

Another touted benefit of dolls is their positive impact on development.

“Baby dolls offer kids lots of opportunities for developing their cognitive, fine motor, and self-help skills. Kids often find it easier to practice these skills on someone (or something) else before they can apply them to themselves.”

What about playing dress-up? I bought my son a firefighter’s outfit from Toys R’ Us and he enjoys putting it on and taking it off while running around the house pretending he’s fighting fires. When my daughter is old enough, I will provide her play clothing she can dress up in. Additionally, dress up skills can be practiced on anthropomorphic toys like stuffed animals, that aren’t actual baby dolls.

As for fine motor and cognitive skills, there are Duplos, wooden blocks, picture books, balls, train sets. So many toys that are mentally stimulating and fun to play with.

3. Baby dolls are incredibly gendered.

I’m acutely aware that baby dolls are marketed primarily to young girls. And that bothers me.

Studies show that toys associated with girls are more likely to be related to appearance and serving others, while those associated with boys are more likely to be related to building things and competition.

Also, the divide between “boy” toys and “girl” toys has gotten wider. In the 1970s, toys were actually less gendered than they are today, something experts attribute to a shift in marketing strategies. Meanwhile, a scientific study on primates suggests that the only real difference between the preferences of boys and girls is that boys like wheeled objects more than girls. That’s it.

Girls’ toys tend to center on just a few concepts — beauty, cooking, princess culture, house management and child care — while boys’ toys are more varied and intellectually robust. There are Legos for building, balls for kicking, trucks and cars for rolling, play animals for dramatizing. Boys’ toys set the stage for STEM skills and imaginative play in a way that girls’ toys don’t.

My Own Doll Test

Over Christmas my mother-in-law bought my daughter an adorable brown baby doll. It came with a pacifier, bottle and striped pajamas that could be taken on and off. Instead of putting it in her room, I kept it in the general play area where both my son and daughter could access it. Within a few weeks the doll had been largely forgotten, relegated to the bottom of our soft toy bin.

But why?

I believe it has to do with my second point. My daughter simply preferred other toys for her creative play.

My daughter can spend an hour flipping through board books, banging puzzle pieces together and stacking Duplos. These toys inspire creativity in her in a way baby dolls don’t.

Kids are Constantly Changing

I’m fully aware that, at some point, my son or daughter could develop a fascination with dolls. And I would have no issue providing them one to incorporate into their play. But until that happens I’m content to skip the doll aisle.

Mommies, what are your thoughts? Do you agree with me? Disagree? Share your thoughts below!

Запись Why I Won’t Buy My Daughter a Baby Doll Unless She Asks впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

“STEM refers to the subjects Science (e.g. biology, physics, chemistry), Technology (e.g. information systems, robotics, programming), Engineering (e.g. electrical, mechanical, chemical) and Mathematics (e.g. geometry, equations, logics).”

But, even as I continue to explore these fields of study, I have come to realise that the “E” in S.T.E.M. is much more than electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or even chemical engineering. In its most basic form, engineering is about problem-solving and creating or building. When we ask, imagine, design, create, test and improve on things, we are practicing engineering skills. So, whether my daughter decides to become an educator or a businesswoman, I think her successes in life will be maximised if she becomes comfortable and competent in engineering.

Since children learn through play during the preschool years, it helps if we’re more intentional about selecting and making toys that align with our priorities. If the infant years have passed you by and you’re now looking to expose your toddler to and encourage their interest in engineering, then the time to get specific is now! We can give our little ones a head start in problem-solving by giving them toys that get them building and designing.
Toys to Buy

To kickstart my gameplan, I got my 3-year-old a set of screw-assembly vehicles (she loves trains, fire engines and ambulances – LOL). The set included a motorcycle, jeep, car and train. They came with screws and bolts that hold their various parts together and a set of wrenches and screwdrivers to pull-apart and set up the vehicles. She randomly grabs any of the toys and will either pull them apart or set them up while waiting for dinner to be ready or getting her hair done. She sometimes struggles to figure it out, and we encourage her to start over or try again. Then once she gets efficient with pulling apart and putting together any of the vehicles, we swap it out with another one – to keep the challenge high. These are the kinds of toys more children should get to enjoy.

Some other types of toys that make great investments are:

1. Blocks

Foam, plastic or wooden. Alphabet, numbers or picture. All blocks are great. If you can get the kinds that can be mixed and matched to utilise all sides of the cube (with different info on each side) then you will score big, too.

2. Building Sets

The challenge is increased when your child has more than just cubes to express their imagination. Some sets include basic building bits like pillars, arches, columns, and triangles to create a small city. Legos and Duplos are great for this.

3. Construction Sets

Similar to building sets, but capable of more intricate designs and complex structures, constructions sets usually come with predesigned model illustrations that your child will try to replicate. They may create a spaceship or detailed city with highways and neighbourhoods.

4. Gears

Gears add the element of motion and vibrant colour to the design and building experience for your child. Your child will be able to see how the interlocking segments spin to complete tasks like vehicle transportation or moving creatures.

5. Robot Kits

Although you can go straight for full-on robotics, a great place to start with your little one is with a build-your-own robot kit. While the more popular kits feature vehicles like army tanks and cars as the final product, you can also find models which finish up as spiders or artmaking doodle-machines.

6. Jigsaw Puzzles

From basic 4-piece puzzles to those with hundreds or even thousands of pieces, these oddly-shaped pieces interlock to produce a complete picture. These toys are unassuming, since they engage both the right and left hemispheres of our brains, stimulating the development of both the logical and creative aspects of our child’s problem-solving skills.

7. Crystal Puzzles

I only learned about 3D or crystal puzzles recently. My mind was blown, when I found out children were putting together 3D models of castles or their favourite cartoon characters using transparent, interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces. The genius about these toys is that the completed puzzle can then be displayed like any other decorative object in your child’s room of the living area of your home.

8. Twisty Puzzles

Many of us grew up playing with the world’s best-selling toy, Rubik’s Cubes, and now we know they give our brains a good workout. Improved hand-eye coordination, sharpened short-term memories, increased patience and longer attention spans are all benefits of challenging out little ones with twisty puzzles.

Toys to Build

While the market is flooded with toys we can buy to nurture our little engineers, us Mommies can get into the building practice too. If you want to try your hand at designing and building some toys for and with your little engineer, you could try some of the ones below.

9. Fractal Pattern Posters

My favourite way to use fractals (never-ending patterns of symmetry) is by decorating your home or just your child’s room or playspace with African or ankara fabric. But, if you’ve already got your décor locked, an online fractal generator can design many patterns with all the colours you like. Just print them out as flashcards or large posters for your child to gaze at.

10. Lacing Frames

As easy as punching holes into a cardboard frame or or remove the glass window from a picture frame.

11. Play Dough

With many simple recipes to choose from, you can make your own play dough or silly putty. Little ones can get lost in exploring textures and manipulating shapes and colours.

12. Button Snake

Threading a button through bits of fabric can be quite entertaining for your toddler. The repetition involved builds up fine motor skills and depending on how you vary the position of the slit in the bits of fabric, the challenge can be further increased. Of course a great benefit is your child being better able to dress himself ? .

13. Puzzle Blocks

A genius idea and so easy to make. You could use mini juice cartons wrapped in plain paper, cubes of foam or real wood blocks. The key is getting a nice rectangular image to cut into pieces for lining up when the blocks get stacked.

14. Cardboard Dropbox

My 3-year-old adores these. Her favourites have cut-outs on each side of the box. It is so exciting to watch her flip the dropbox from side to side trying to find the ‘hole’ that fits the shape she has in her hand.

15. Activity Boards

If you’re not much of a DIYer, an old control panel with knobs, switches, buttons, etc. will be just fine. But, a custom activity board can have latches, wheels, whitsles, buzzers, lights, etc. There are many examples online for inspiration.

16. Cardboard Construction Sets

Grab some rigid cardboard and cut it into shapes with slits and notches. Your little ones will have lots of fun connecting them in different shapes.

So, whether you choose to browse the shelves of your local stores to stock up on toys or you want to get in the middle of a pile of string, glue and safety knives, you can provide all the toys and games needed to encourage your little one to ask, imagine, design, create, test and improve on things. Maybe you will join in and become a better ‘engineer’ too ?

Запись 16 Toys That Encourage Engineering Skills in Kids впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.