Battle Building Blocks

Get ready for a thrilling competition! Let's see who can build the fastest and most accurate structure using our Battle Building Blocks!

Challenge: Replicate the design on the card
Objective: Be the first to complete the build and ring the bell
May the quickest and most skilled builder win!

On your marks, get set... BUILD!"

Features: 

• 1 x base board measure 15 x 30 cm
• 40 wooden cubes measure 2cm x 2 cm in 5 colours
• 18 double sided copy cards
• 1 x bell
• 1 drawstring bag for easy storage

What our OT says:

Battle Building Blocks is a typical Visual Perception activity that you will commonly find in an OT toolbox. 

• Visual Perception Skills: refers to how we interpret and make sense of visual information. It includes skills like visual discrimination, figure-ground perception, and spatial relations. When copying a design, children: Discriminate between different shapes and lines. Identify the design against the background (figure-ground perception). Understand spatial relationships (e.g., how lines connect, intersect, or overlap). Judge proportions and angles. These perceptual skills are crucial for tasks like reading, recognising letters, and understanding spatial layouts.
• Visual Motor Integration: refers to the ability to coordinate visual information with motor movements. It involves processing what we see and translating it into purposeful actions. When a child copies a design from a card, they engage their visual system (observing the design) and their motor system (reproducing it). This integration enhances overall coordination between vision and movement1.
• Motor Planning: (also known as praxis) involves planning and executing purposeful movements. It’s essential for tasks like writing, drawing, and playing sports. To replicate a design accurately, a child must plan their movements—where to start, which lines to follow, and how to maintain proportion and symmetry. This process hones motor planning skills.
• Fast Thinking and Cognitive Flexibility: When you add a time constraint (such as racing against the clock), copying designs becomes a cognitive challenge.

The Benefits of adding a time constraint:

• Quick Decision-Making: Children learn to make rapid decisions about where to start, which lines to prioritise, and how to adjust if they make a mistake.
• Adaptability: If they encounter an error, they must quickly adjust their approach.
• Attention and Focus: Time pressure encourages sustained attention and concentration.