How Can Engineering Toys Help Inspire Future Engineers Become the Inventors of Tomorrow?

Not all learning happens in a classroom. In fact, play has always been a fundamental part of development.  For example, engineering toys like building blocks and construction sets give kids a natural and intuitive way to understand how the world works.

 

Many of us can relate to how our early experiences with childhood toys and games have shaped our way of thinking and even influenced what we want to be in the future, at least career-wise. This is why it's essential to provide children with toys that not only entertain but also inspire and teach valuable skills. Here's how engineering toys can inspire children to become the inventors of tomorrow:

 

Learn basic engineering concepts early.

 

It's clear that play can be a great way to develop the skills that are essential for engineering. Every time your child plays with building toys, they are engaging with basic principles of structure, shape, and balance, as well as exploring ideas that involve geometry, physics, and math.

 

In structured block play, when kids follow instructions to build something, they need to really look at what they're doing — they have to see how different pieces fit together, think in various ways, and break things down into smaller parts. This also means imagining turning objects in their mind and understanding how strong or sturdy a structure is, as well as designing and applying simple geometry. Sound familiar? These are all important skills for engineers, and playing with building toys helps develop them!

 

Learn from experience

 

Playing with engineering toys is like creating a building from a plan, but it is much simpler. Kids often find this challenging, especially if they don't have prior experience. A study by Brian Verdine et al. (2013) showed that only about 40% of over 100 three-year-olds could build a simple three-block structure on their first try, and only 10% could do something more complex. With practice, though, their skills grow significantly. These toys not only spark an interest in engineering but also greatly enhance the abilities needed to thrive in it.

 

If you're seeing early potential from your child as an engineer, browse through our range of engineering toys at Creative Play Resources. Remember, the most important part of learning is to have fun!

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