You can introduce children to thoughtful design early on with their playthings. This set of Neutraface Slab Blocks by type foundry House Industries is made of replenishable Michigan-grown, kiln-dried basswood and is a great introduction to different typefaces and hopefully a subsequent appreciation for them! Other amazing block sets by House Industries can be found here.
"Come on Nate, let's make our story.” These are photos of Avery and Nate playing and exploring with shapes on a felt board. It was made and given to us by Crafting Community at the Oh Joy! for Nod launch party we went to earlier this month. "It's cotton candy wearing a bow,” described Avery (about the third photo from the top). Thanks to Crafting Community for a great tool for play and creativity!
A recent house that Avery built for Totoro, with a handle on the top for carrying around.
This game by Janod is actually great for a wide span of ages. It's challenging for Avery to figure out which blocks to pull out without making all the other blocks fall down. It helps her practice strategy and planning and is super fun, too! I like how the blocks are versatile—they are a nice addition and add variety to whichever set of building blocks you already have, and are also good for working on letter formation.
Thanks to The Land of Nod for sending us Don’t Let The Blocks Drop!
Avery found her little Totoro (who was undoubtedly engulfed in her sea of stuffed animals) recently. She made an airplane for Totoro out of Duplos and Totoro has been sleeping next to Avery in a mitten (a “sleeping bag”). Avery thinks Totoro is a girl. "She likes staying home and she likes me to make clothes but I don’t make clothes for Totoro. I want you to learn to make clothes for Totoro, okay?"