Archive for May, 2008

History of mechanical puzzles

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

The oldest known mechanical puzzle comes from Greece and appeared in the 3rd century BC. The game consists of a square divided into 14 parts, and the aim was to create different shapes from these pieces. In Iran “puzzle-locks” were made as early as the 17th century AD. In 1742 Japan there is a mention of a game called “Sei Shona-gon Chie No-Ita” in a book. Around the year 1800 the Tangram puzzle from China became popular, and 20 years later it had spread through Europe and America. The company Richter from Rudolstadt began producing large amounts of Tangram-like puzzles of different shapes, the so-called “Anker-puzzles”.

Puzzles were greatly fashionable towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The first patents for puzzles were recorded at this time. In 1893 professor Hoffman wrote a book called “Puzzles Old and New”. It contained, amongst other things, more than 40 descriptions of puzzles with secret opening mechanisms. This book grew into a reference work for puzzle games and modern copies exist for those interested.

With the invention of materials easy to shape such as plastic, the range of puzzle possibilities grew. Rubik’s Cube, arguably the most famous puzzle worldwide, would not be possible without modern polymers.

Physical activity

A boy from wooden toys Jakarta with his ball. Ball games tend to be good exercise, involving lots of physical activity and are popular worldwide.A great many toys are part of active play. These include traditional toys such as hoops, tops, jump ropes and balls, as well as more modern toys like Frisbees, foot bags (also known as Hacky Sacks), astrojax, Myachi, and the yo-yo.

Playing with these sorts of toys allows children to exercise, building strong bones and muscles and aiding in physical fitness. Throwing and catching balls and frisbees can improve hand-eye coordination. Jumping rope, (also known as skipping) and playing with foot bags can improve balance

About wooden toys

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

Wooden toys, as its name suggests, the raw materials for wood.

Divided into: pure wooden toys, synthetic wooden toys, wooden toys and so on Des Voeux.

Pure wooden toys, such as: hand-carvings.

Synthesis of wooden toys, such as: San Geban puzzles.

Des Voeux wood toys, such as: wood inertia cars.

Wooden Toys and Puzzles

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

At Fine Wooden Toys we offer a beautiful and unique selection of hundreds of top-quality educational and developmental wooden toys, blocks and puzzles for babies, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten-aged children. We have many wonderful Spiel & Holz Waldorf wooden toys and puzzles from Germany, Plan Toys® preschool educational toys and well-loved Melissa and Doug® childrens wooden puzzles, blocks and classic wooden toys. Whether you are shopping for a child in your life or for a school or daycare, we have the natural and durable wooden toys and puzzles you’re looking for at great prices!

Wooden Toys: We have a lovely selection of sturdy wooden developmental toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. There are classic stacking, sorting and pounding toys, wooden pull toys and vehicles, wooden blocks sets, wooden play food sets and play kitchens, games and musical and rhythm instruments made especially for young children, as well as a variety of toy storage options in our toy boxes and childrens furniture categories

Child Wooden toys development

Friday, May 9th, 2008

Toys, like play itself, serve multiple purposes in both humans and animals. They provide entertainment while fulfilling an educational role. Toys enhance cognitive behavior and stimulate creativity. They aid in the development of physical and mental skills which are necessary in later life.

One of the simplest toys, a set of simple wooden blocks is also one of the best toys for developing minds. Andrew Witkin, director of marketing for Mega Brands told Investor’s Business Daily that, "They help develop hand-eye coordination, math and science skills and also let kids be creative." Other wooden toys like Marbles, jackstones, and balls serve similar functions in child development, allowing children to use their minds and bodies to learn about spatial relationships, cause and effect, and a wide range of other skills as well as those mentioned by Mr. Witkin.

One example of the dramatic ways that toys can influence child development involves clay sculpting toys such as Play-Doh and Silly Putty and their home-made counterparts. Mary Ucci, Educational Director of the Child Study Center of Wellesley College, demonstrates how such toys positively impact the physical development, cognitive development, emotional development, and social development of children.[8]

Toys for infants often make use of distinctive sounds, bright colors, and unique textures. Through play with toys infants begin to recognize shapes and colors. Repetition reinforces memory. Play-Doh, Silly Putty and other hands-on materials allow the child to make toys of their own.

Educational toys for school age children of often contain a puzzle, problem-solving technique, or mathematical proposition. Often toys designed for older audiences, such as teenagers or adults demonstrate advanced concepts. Newton’s cradle, a desk toy designed by Simon Prebble, demonstrates the conservation of momentum and energy.

Not all toys are appropriate for all ages of children. Some wooden toys which are marketed for a specific age range can even harm the development of children in that range