Many parents wonder when to buy their little ones their first blocks. Most are intended for children over 3 years of age. However, even a toddler as young as a few months old can derive immense joy from playing with blocks, while simultaneously improving their motor skills, observation, and creativity. Junior Bricks are one of the few block sets that are dedicated to children from their first year of life. Thanks to their large size, light weight, and simple shapes, they are completely safe and convenient even for toddlers. Construction blocks Waffle are used during classes in a vast number of Polish kindergartens. They are a definite favorite among toys for younger age groups. Freely and most importantly safely, children from the second year of life can play with them. Sets can be supplemented with animal silhouettes, creating perfect conditions for initiating thematic play and developing the social and linguistic sphere of toddlers. The youngest children enjoy taking blocks out of and putting them back into the box, or freely manipulating individual elements. A one-year-old child will discover different shapes, textures, and colors during this play. They will likely find out what sounds the blocks make when hit against each other and other objects. Throwing and moving individual elements will develop their spatial orientation.

Slightly older children, aged 2-3, in addition to free (and most creative) play, will be able to perform slightly more complicated tasks with a parent. Spending time together will positively influence building mutual relationships, while supporting the child's multifaceted development. Below are a few ideas for simple activities designed for the youngest children:

• Sorting blocks by color or size.
• Building the tallest tower and even better play - destroying the tower (Who can blow it down? Who can knock it down with one finger?)
• Building a tower made of blocks in one, chosen color.
• Laying blocks alternately in different colors, e.g., blue - red - blue - red.
• Creating and overcoming an obstacle course (the course can be designed for children and parents or for figurines, dolls, or stuffed animals).
• Laying a road (the longest, wavy, zigzag).
• Creating furniture (bed, chair) for a teddy bear or doll.
• Building a pen for animals or a garage for cars.
• Jointly laying out simple geometric shapes - circle, square, triangle.

Pedagogue Klaudia Sokołowska-Baryś for Marioinex Education