During our home educating journey I made it my aim to share all the great resources we use alongside toys we've found useful and kids enjoy.
So, on this list (sharing and caring list!) are bristle blocks. If you haven't come across these, they're soft blocks that easily interlock. The name Bristle comes from their appearance, each block has many bristle like structures, and it is these structures that lock together. As well as the squares, rectangles, there are wheels, triangles, circles, what we call windows (squares without middle section) and 'sticks'. Our set also contains a lovely family with their pet dog, and a few other animals.
The blocks are great for all ages and can be used for a variety of games and skills. 3 year old enjoys putting the blocks together and trying to build a large structure, and 7 year old tries to make much more complex structures, such as living room furniture. For younger children, these blocks are great for hand eye coordination, and for older children these blocks can be used as part of STEM learning.
STEM and Bristle blocks
In order to use the blocks for STEM learning, it is simply a case of using the blocks for science, technology, engineering and maths.
Science - one topic to cover in science is studying and conversing about structures but with focus on gravity. What makes the heavier top building topple? Why do the different size blocks fall at different rates? There are so many other ideas that can be explored too, for instance, Why are the blocks made from the type of material used and not glass, or sand? There are lots of different investigations than can be covered using the simple Bristle blocks (sinking and floating is always a huge hit!)
Technology - It's easy to assume that because there aren't any wires or technological components these blocks won't help in that area. A great way to use these blocks is for coding. Kids assume coding is easy and 'a piece of cake' until they're asked to write a code out to build a simple 4x4 wall! Coding is the 'in thing' and the use of these blocks is great to help. Once the child masters simple codes, move up a notch, and all you need is the Bristle blocks, a pen and paper!
Engineering - Bristle blocks allow engineering to be explored extensively. Structures, forces, weights and heights can all be covered with these blocks. Mini projects are always great, start with a simple question, asking if a structure is possible, will it stand, will it last and so on. Design a car, what's important in the design, why do the wheels need to be where they are? The discussion points are infinite.
Maths - I love using these blocks to help reiterate how to calculate perimeter and area. But not only that, the blocks can be used for so many mathematical areas. Use blocks to help with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Use blocks to help with fractions, decimals and percentages, simple algebra too (use a block instead of x, it makes the whole concept seem like so much more fun)! Visualising maths helps children progress at a faster rate.
Simple play
Children learn a lot through the world they live in, and it is an understatement to assume they don't learn anything through play. Allowing children to play with toys such as Bristle blocks means they are given the opportunity to explore their imagination and creativity. They are given the resources to carry out their own trial and error experiments, to understand what works and what doesn't. Bristle blocks encourage imagination, creativity and exploration.
The blocks are also sturdy and well designed, allowing years of play without damage. It is also great to see so many themes available, from farms to parks.
If you would like to see for yourself, this is where we purchased ours.
So, on this list (sharing and caring list!) are bristle blocks. If you haven't come across these, they're soft blocks that easily interlock. The name Bristle comes from their appearance, each block has many bristle like structures, and it is these structures that lock together. As well as the squares, rectangles, there are wheels, triangles, circles, what we call windows (squares without middle section) and 'sticks'. Our set also contains a lovely family with their pet dog, and a few other animals.
The blocks are great for all ages and can be used for a variety of games and skills. 3 year old enjoys putting the blocks together and trying to build a large structure, and 7 year old tries to make much more complex structures, such as living room furniture. For younger children, these blocks are great for hand eye coordination, and for older children these blocks can be used as part of STEM learning.
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| Large and small sofa with a coffee table - and not forgetting the orange plate! |
STEM and Bristle blocks
In order to use the blocks for STEM learning, it is simply a case of using the blocks for science, technology, engineering and maths.
Science - one topic to cover in science is studying and conversing about structures but with focus on gravity. What makes the heavier top building topple? Why do the different size blocks fall at different rates? There are so many other ideas that can be explored too, for instance, Why are the blocks made from the type of material used and not glass, or sand? There are lots of different investigations than can be covered using the simple Bristle blocks (sinking and floating is always a huge hit!)
Technology - It's easy to assume that because there aren't any wires or technological components these blocks won't help in that area. A great way to use these blocks is for coding. Kids assume coding is easy and 'a piece of cake' until they're asked to write a code out to build a simple 4x4 wall! Coding is the 'in thing' and the use of these blocks is great to help. Once the child masters simple codes, move up a notch, and all you need is the Bristle blocks, a pen and paper!
Engineering - Bristle blocks allow engineering to be explored extensively. Structures, forces, weights and heights can all be covered with these blocks. Mini projects are always great, start with a simple question, asking if a structure is possible, will it stand, will it last and so on. Design a car, what's important in the design, why do the wheels need to be where they are? The discussion points are infinite.
Maths - I love using these blocks to help reiterate how to calculate perimeter and area. But not only that, the blocks can be used for so many mathematical areas. Use blocks to help with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Use blocks to help with fractions, decimals and percentages, simple algebra too (use a block instead of x, it makes the whole concept seem like so much more fun)! Visualising maths helps children progress at a faster rate.
Simple play
Children learn a lot through the world they live in, and it is an understatement to assume they don't learn anything through play. Allowing children to play with toys such as Bristle blocks means they are given the opportunity to explore their imagination and creativity. They are given the resources to carry out their own trial and error experiments, to understand what works and what doesn't. Bristle blocks encourage imagination, creativity and exploration.
The blocks are also sturdy and well designed, allowing years of play without damage. It is also great to see so many themes available, from farms to parks.
If you would like to see for yourself, this is where we purchased ours.
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