[blindkid] Fabulous new learning TOY

[H. Field]

Hello everyone,

I've decided to share my experiences with a new toy I recently purchased from our list's resident Discovery Toys lady Brandy. I love it so much I just want to tell people about it. :-)

It's called EZ-blocks. Being blind myself and homeschooling some blind children, I am very wary of blocks. For one thing, that horrible item which appears on so many test of early development "can stack three blocks. ... can build a tower of blocks." So many blind children aren't interested in in the limited play feedback from building block structures/towers until they're somewhat older. I sure wasn't; and even then I wanted to build yards for my animals and houses and garages.  Also, any blind children with additional issues, such as cerebral palsy, find balancing blocks and touching carefully to place new blocks on the tower is just not worth all that effort.
For another thing, ordinary blocks just aren't that interesting nonvisually. They're just kind of boring.

ENTER EZ-BLOCKS!

They have some truly wonderful features which make them way more than just a set of blocks.

Features.
1. Stable. E-Z Blocks have a slightly raised circle on the top of each block (Except cones and triangle roof pieces) and a corresponding groove on the bottom of every block. This means that the blocks don't slip off of one another if touched a little roughly. This also gives practice at learning top, bottom, under, on the top, and then physically manipulating the object to go in place. Unlike much dull concept learning that blind children experience, where the only motivation is to hurry up so that it is over for the day, EZ-blocks motivate the children to practise using the concepts so that they can build their structure. As only one side has a raised circle all other sides allow for use like ordinary blocks. So, children can progress on to more adventurous building when ready.

2. Lightweight: Blocks are plastic, which makes them light for taking places and they don't hurt if they fall on little people.

3. Audible. All blocks rattle. Thus, the sound varies by size and shape. This gives a blind child an extra characteristic to assist when memorising shapes, fractions etc. and is just plain fun, especially when EZ-blocks are a little one's first set of blocks.

4. Shapes. The set includes rectangles, and squares and cylinders, but it also has cones and triangles. Furthermore, they are unit blocks which means that two of the smaller blocks are equal to one of the larger blocks, and not just in length. This is also in height. 

5. Colours. The blocks are bright, eye-catching strong colours. So, for a child with some vision the colour dimension is also very usable.

6. Grows with the child. Given the expense of good toys, I make it a rule to only buy toys that I can reuse with children at different ages. I'm currently using my EZ-blocks with three different age levels. My toddlers love to shake, throw, drop and occasionally stack them my preschoolers build with them and my 8-year-olds are using them in fractions, weighing and measuring. I'm also using them in math to teach "continuing the pattern'" and in probability.

I am so glad I bought these blocks. I was very sceptical but Brandy told me I'd love them and so would the children. I bought them on her recommendation and I have to say she was so right. In fact, I have bought a second set. The blocks come in their own storage bucket but I took mine out and put my two sets in one of those small, clear plastic storage boxes with the flip handles that hold the lid on. I just gave Brandy a call and she had them shipped right to my house.

If you buy toys then this is the best double duty toy I've seen in a very long time, so I highly recommend it to you. 

Warmest regards,

Heather Field