積木選擇-Standard Unit Blocks

選擇積木都有好大考究的! 以下都是媽咪在兩年多前剛生下小Bie時所做的"功課", 現在打算買第一套積木: Unit Blocks給小Bie了! (copy 之前舊blog & babykingdom 的留言:)

選擇積木真係唔可以馬夫架! 原來有所謂"unit block" ,傳統果d(幼稚園果d) 是有standard size跟住去做嘅, 咁樣,小朋友先可以不知不覺在玩之中領略數學中: 比例, 次方,份數 的原理...

Beka Wooden Blocks - Standard Set - 36 pieces (us$96)

其實BEKA是我比較喜歡的牌子, 因為用的木是Maple wood, 連重量都會有很準確的統一標準, 所以價錢也比較高.
http://www.bekainc.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=9&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26
另外, 我也喜歡這一套:
http://www.oldfashionedblocks.com/602SETDETAIL.html


雖然心目中最喜歡以上那套最傳統& 跟足standard size的原木色unit blocks, Beka用的是Maple wood, 連重量也有高度的準確性! 本身maple wood 的積木已貴實木/原木做的積木很多, 媽咪搜遍夏威夷也找不到, 不可能再付超貴的shipping, 最後決定買Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks好了, 這是實木/原木(rubber wood/hard wood)製造, 同類型有質素的積木中, 價錢算是最合理了!

 Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks(us$60)

Blocks積木種類:

Unit blocks, table top blocks, kindergarten blocks, loc blocks, ABC blocks . . . there are so many choices!  Which ones are right for my kids?  We get this question a lot!  For a great answer to this question, you first must understand the common terminology used for blocks. 

Unit Blocks    The unit block or kindergarten sized blocks refer to the same sets.  These are the sets that can be found in most schools, pre-schools and day care centers.  The "unit" is a block that measures 1-3/8" X 2-3/4" X 5-1/2". Unit block sets are great for children ages 2-3 years old right on up.  When choosing a block set, it is very important to pay attention to the uniformity of size and shape of the blocks.  How the blocks are finished is also very important.  Are they smooth and splinter free?  Are the edges and corners well sanded and finished?  We have looked at many block sets, and only two manufacturers have passed our tests.  Guidecraft, USA and BEKA.  You can find them in our kindergarten block section.  Finally, you need to choose the material that the blocks are made of.  Maple blocks are fairly hard, and will last for many, many generations of heavy use.  These are the blocks that are handed down to great, great grandchildren.  Beach is another common wood used for blocks.  Beach is also a fairly hard wood, though not quite as hard as maple.  Recently, we've seen many block sets being made out of rubberwood.  This is an ecologically friendly material which is fairly hard, will definitely stand up to tough play, and is a less expensive alternative to maple.

Table Top Blocks    The next most common type of block is the table top block.  These blocks are smaller, and come in a variety of sizes.  Some work with the more traditional unit block sets, but most do not.  Table top sized blocks tend to be much more attractive to slightly older children, usually starting at around age five.  Be careful, some table top block sets have pieces that are small enough to present a choking hazard for younger children. 

Specialty Blocks    This category is the "catch all" of the block world.  These blocks come in all shapes and sizes.  Again, some work with traditional unit blocks, some don't. The most popular specialty blocks are the Rainbow Blocks which add a lot of style to any unit block building.  A very popular specialty block in the schools is the Jr. Hollow Block set.  These promote building skills and coordination, and are just plain fun!

Any way you slice it, blocks are a great creative learning tool for children.  Build 'em up, knock 'em down and do it again!! 

Check out our current block selection.  click here

copy from 兩年多前媽咪在babykingdom的留言:

2007. 7.7 原來選擇積木一點也不可以馬虎, 媽咪昨天找資料找到差不多天光了... 原來每一塊積木的大小有所謂"standard unit block" 的size, 每一件不同形狀的積木其實都應該跟據"unit"的size的比例去做. 比如 unit block 就應該是half unit block的一倍大小. 無論是圓柱體, 立方體, 半圓, 1/4圓.... 全部有一定的size. 這樣的積木,才能幫助孩子在玩樂中無意地領會數學的元理! 肯好mommy做足功課才替小bie選擇積木啦~~ 積 木 玩 法 變 化 多 端 ， 可 讓 孩 子 發 揮 無 窮 想 像 力 ， 自 由 砌 出 自 己 心 愛 的 模 型 ， 是 經 濟 又 好 玩 的 玩 具 。 砌 積 木 好 處 多 多 。 將 積 木 一 塊 一 塊 疊 起 ， 不 單 可 鍛 鍊 孩 子 運 用 雙 手 小 肌 肉 ， 並 且 可 加 深 孩 子 認 識 空 間 概 念 ， 學 寫 字 不 會 咁 易 寫 出 格 。 其 它 款 式 的 玩 法 ， 亦 可 加 深 孩 子 對 重 量 、 物 件 及 排 列 概 念 的 認 識 ， 益 智 得 很 。  This is the type of wooden blocks that everyone thinks of when you say “wooden blocks.” These blocks are found in most day-cares and kindergartens and are also known as Kindergarten blocks These block sets are standardized to a certain size. No matter who makes them, they should be compatible. The unit block is always 1 3/8″ x 2 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. You will notice that all of these dimensions are proportional so stacking them will always work as long as you get the right number of blocks in there. All of the block sizes are built off of the unit block. For example the double unit block is 1 3/8″ x 2 3/4″ x 11″. There are about 30 different standard shapes that are available in unit blocks. Most sets do not have all of the shapes. 除此之外, 原來木質都有一定的定, 因為重量也是一個考慮因素. 而且近年來有毒, 有刺...的木製玩具多得很呢~ 媽咪暫時選了以下這一套: Product Description Our block sets are "Made in the USA". We manufacture in New England starting with hard maple lumber from the forests of the Northeast. We do not use "rubberwood" or the mixed species others refer to as "hardwood". Each set is built according to the "Unit Block" standard developed by educator Caroline Pratt in the early 1900's. The dimensions of each block shape is a multiple or a fraction of the size of the piece defined as the "unit". The "unit" is a rectangular piece of maple measuring 5 1/2" in Length by 2 3/4" in width by 1 3/8" in height or thickness. The name of each basic rectangular block shape in a set is based on its size as compared to the length of the "unit", e.g., the Unit Block is 5 1/2" long while the Half Unit Block is 2 3/4" long, the Double Unit Block is 11" long and the Quad Unit Block is 22" long. The dimensions of all other block shapes, including columns, pillars, triangles, curves, etc., are proportional to the length, width and height dimensions of the "unit". This is the source of the term, "Standard Unit Blocks". The fixed relationship between the "unit" and the other block shapes creates an environment in which children develop motor skills and "absorb" math concepts such as length, volume and fractions while totally engaged in the creative freedom of block play. Children "discover" the relationship between the different standard unit block shapes through play. They learn that two Unit Triangles make a Unit Block, etc.. Set 1602 incudes: 2 Doubles, 10 Units, 10 Half Units, 1 Roman Arch, 1 Roman Arch Door, 1 Half Arch, 1 Half Arch Buttress, 2 Unit Triangles, 4 Half Unit Triangles, 2 Unit Columns, 2 Half Unit Columns, 4 Unit Pillars, 4 Half Unit Pillars, 12 Quarter Unit Pillars & 2 Quarter Circles & 1 Hard Maple Wagon Measuring 16-1/4" x 12-3/16" x 6-7/16"='s 59 Total Pieces

34 種Standard Unit Blocks: 所有生產商都一定依這些形狀、尺寸比例來造才可以稱為: Unit Blocks :

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Set #			T5	6	7	8	9	T10
qty. pieces/set			53	34	45	86	110	37
no. of shapes			15	9	14	14	28	19
catalog Part #	name of block	size of block (inches)	Quantity of each piece in set
430001-A	Half Unit Block	2.75 x 2.75.x.1.38	8	4	10	14	18	-
43001(S)	Notched Half Unit	2.75 x 2.75 x 1.38	4	-	-	-	-	-
43002-A1	Unit Block	5.5 x 2.75 x 1.38	8	2	4	24	20	-
43003-A2	Double Unit	11 x 2.75 x 1.38	4	-	2	8	4	-
43004(A3)	Quadruple Unit	22 x 2.75 x 1.38	-	-	-	4	2	1
43005(B)	Half Pillar	2.75 x 1.38 x 1.38	4	4	6	0	6	-
43006(B1)	Pillar	5.5 x 1.38 x 1.38	4	4	4	8	6	-
43007(B2)	Double Pillar	11 x 1.38 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	2	2
43010(C)	Half  Cylinder (Column)	2.75  x 1.0d	-	4	-	-	2	-
43011(C1)	Cylinder (Column)	5.5  x 1.0d	2	4	2	4	4	-
43125(C2)	Double  Cylinder	11  x 1.0d	1	-	1	-	2	2
43022(D)	Roman Arch	5.5 x 2.75 x 1.38	1	2	2	2	2	-
43022(D2)	Half Roman Arch	2.75 x 2.75 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	-	4
43023(E)	Small Half Disk	2.75 x 1.38 x 1.38	1	2	2	2	2	-
43008(F)	Small Triangle	2.75 x 2.75 x 1.38	2	4	4	8	6	-
43009(F1)	Large Triangle	5.5 x 2.75 x 1.38	2	2	2	4	6	-
43025(F2)	Double Triangle	11 x 2.75 x 1.38	-	-	-	2	-	2
43021(G)	Ramp Block	5.5 x 2.75 x 1.38	2	-	2	2	4	-
43020(H)	Half Gothic Arch	5.5 x 2.75 x 1.38	2	2	2	2	2	-
43019(I)	Small Buttress	4.125 x 1.38 x 1.38	2	-	2	2	2	-
43014(O)	Quarter Circle	5.5 x 5.5 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	2	2
43014(O1)	Half Circle	11 x 5.5 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	1	2
43027(O2)	Large Half Disk	11 x 5.5 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	1	1
43123(M)	Crossing (Intersection)	8.25 x 8.25  x 1.38	-	-	-	-	1	1
43124(N)	Sideroad	8.25 x 5.5 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	1	1
43015(J)	Quarter Disk	2.75 x 2.75 x 1.38	2	-	-	-	4	2
43030(K)	Half-Flat  (1/2 Floorboard)	2.75 x 2.75 x .69	-	-	-	-	-	4
43030(K1)	Floorboard (Flat)	5.5 x 2.75 x .69	2	2	-	-	-	2
43028(K2)	Dbl.Floorboard (Double Flat)	11 x 2.75  x .69	-	-	-	-	2	2
43028(K3)	Quad Flbd. (Quad Flat)	22 x 2.75  x .69	-	-	-	-	-	2
43029(L)	Roof Board	11 x 5.5 x .125	2	-	-	-	4	4
43018(P)	Small Switch	8.25 x 5.5 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	-	1
43017(Q)	Gothic Arch	11 x 8.25 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	1	1
43017(R)	Gothic Door	5.5 x 2.75 x 1.38	-	-	-	-	1	1

更多選擇積木的學問: http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/iam-sherbie/article?mid=7191