CONSTRUCTION TOYS

Playing with a construction toy should improve dexterity, co-ordination and perseverance, as well as stimulate the imagination and a sense of design. A wide variety of building elements is available in construction sets, and each set should contain enough parts to produce a satisfying result. Pieces must fit together snugly and easily. Care must be taken in selecting a set so it will be elaborate enough to present a challenge but not so advanced as to cause frustration.

For the younger child, building sets consist of simple blocks, stacking toys, put-together and take-apart toys, peg-board sets, and primary construction toys. They should be simple in design and the pieces should be large enough for easy manipulation. A completed construction should function as intended. Sets of wooden blocks, often hand-made, and sold locally may include a variety of shapes in related sizes which illustrate the basic principles of proportion and dimension.

The older child can manipulate smaller pieces and thus graduate to more advanced sets. The possibilities which these sets present are endless. Gear systems, motors and electrical components are often included or available in supplementary sets to extend play value.