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I love playing games with kids, because I believe it encourages strategic thinking. When I first heard about a new revolutionary toy that teaches just that I was thrilled to invite it into our home. ThinkBlocks don’t use the electronic gadgets that kids are used to, but instead encourage creativity and the natural ability to think. To me, this system is a great way to incorporate everyday life into a lesson.
ThinkBlock arranges itself into three categories: Play, Think and Thrive. You are given a small guidebook that explains several lessons, and divides them by age range and category. Each ThinkBlock activity is uniquely designed to help you facilitate learning and thinking by asking the right questions. Children (ages 4 and up) will learn how to identify distinctions, recognize relationships, organize systems and apply multiple perspectives to any idea, object, person or situation.
Research has shown that these four patterns are essential to thinking. The “Patterns of Thinking” model was developed by Dr. Cabrera from Cornell University and has been researched heavily. What I love about ThinkBlocks is that no matter who you are or what age group you fall into, the ability to think analytically and independently will ensure success on whatever path you choose in life.
By using the sets of different size ThinkBlocks, a free thinking tile starter set and dry erase marker you can help your child turn concepts into things that they can touch, play with and hold. We all know how hard it is to explain things to children that they cannot physically see. They gave an excellent example in the guide that stated, “Imagine holding an apology in your hand.”
Props & Pans is giving one lucky readers their own ThinkBlock boxed set valued at $79.99. To win you must visit their website and look at the video activity tutorials they have displayed. Tell us in the comments which activity you find interesting by Monday, March 17th.
You do not need a blog to enter, just leave us your e-mail address so that we may contact you. As always, it is Props & Pans policy NOT to distribute any information you give us (including your e-mail). Thanks for entering!
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Wow!!
They’re all fascinating.
There is so much you can do with these. I watched many of the activities. The one I found most interesting was the global ecosystem. This looks like a great learning tool.
Great contest!
henglish@nb.sympatico.ca
cool these are so neat.
Such neat things!
[...] Where: Props and Pans [...]
They are all fascinating, yes. I like the idea of the one ‘Play with a Purpose’. But the other ideas are also good also, and education in a way to start thinking early. please enter me. thanks.
how cool
Cool product. The global ecosystem is the most interesting. It works in well with what my daughter is doing in school.
thanks for the contest
Wow! All of these are great activities and very applicable to real life. “Us and them” is an activity that focuses on a relevant concept that is important to learn early in life. Thanks for sharing and for introducing this to us!
This is exactly the type of product today’s youth needs. Good for you for giving it away.
What a fantastic site. These blocks fit my youngest son to a tee.
He has had the ability to do Legos without the directions since he was three years old. I like the ideas given on the tutorial video. There is really a lot you can do with this set! Please enter me in your fantastic give away. I appreciate it…..Thanks,Cindi
Wow, those look like fun!
I haven’t seen these before, but I like the idea of something that teaches to “think outside the box”. “Perspectives: Learn to take different points-of-view”
Us Vs Them looks pretty interesting
These are all great - I like the “organizing systems” one best as I have plenty of applications for it!
This is new to me and I love it! Very clever!
I also like Play with a purpose and think outside the box. Would love these for my great grandchildren
The global ecosystem is great for my son who is very into the environment right now.
very interesting
What a creative game for kids to learn and develop new skills! Thanks for the great giveaway.
the activity I find interesting = perspectives on art
Cool! We are working on math with our son, so I like the Multiplying, Dividing and Factoring Units activity!
Thanks!
I thought the video showing the blocks to help understand sex versus gender was interesting!
Please enter me. These look great!
What a great site, as I can think of many items that would make a nice gift.
Great contest. Thanks for the chance.
think blocks hey why didn’t i think of something like this?
sweet
Very cool,
i like how you can write any word and have some type of association with it. It looked a little hard for me but I can definitely see how it inspires creativity. It’s interesting that it seems to have limitless possibilities.
they’r all gggrreeeaaat.
I love them all.
Cool contest, cool blocks
This looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to try it.
Oh good Lord. I’ll need one of my nieces of nephews to show me how to use this for the global ecosystem. I was just getting the hang out of how to peel off the colors of the Rubik’s cube and look smart. This will be a challenge!
good prize
I tried their videos but my computer keep stalling out. So after looking around the website… I came to the conclusion that these seem to exceptional for kids to make relationships with ideas bigger than we would normally introduce at this level. The idea is fascinating! I love that they break down all about Business and family relationships… and then even the difference metaphors and similes for kids to understand.
I would be very interested in testing this out with my kids… so on that note, I hope I win!
Thanks,
Marissa
I like the fact that it is educational.
The global ecosystem is the most interesting, would love to win
Experts say the more you stimulate the mind the more it helps with memory recall. so this is very interesting.
I haven’t seen these before, but how wonderful! I like organizing systems and the global ecosystem, thanks for the giveaway!
I like the multiplying, dividing, and factory units activity
What an amazing learning tool. I love that you can actually see how systems work together. Such as the ecosystem and how it is connected.
the global ecosystem sounds fantastic!!
Understanding Ecosystems sounds interesting!
The ecosystem is pretty neat.
I believe that manipulatives greatly enhance the learning process of my students and help turn an abstract idea into a greater understanding of content. I think these are fantastic and innovative. I would love to have a set for my classroom. My favorite tutorial was the video on factoring (of course). These are the coolest things since algebra tiles!!
this is a great tool for everyone in the house. all the activities are interesting. i’ll have to go with the ecosystem being that we are trying to teach are family about the importance of it now.
Oh wow, these are really really cool!
organizing systems
Very cool, especially us vs them.
The global Ecosystem looks very interesting. Thanks for the chance to win.
I liked the us and them exercise.
Mommie
http://www.mommieshome.net
I think the global ecosystem is interesting!
I like the global ecosystem activity. nice to see toys that help development.
I love the Global Eco-System!
the ecosystem is neat.
Sounds like a nice set.
Please enter me.
The global ecosystem is what I would pick. thank you
global ecosystem
Play with a Purpose seems the most interesting to me.
i love learning games for cxhildren- this one is super.
Playing this with my granddaughter would be a treat.
Games are great! Learning Games are even better!
LOVE TO WIN
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
organizing systems is my favorite.
global ecosystem
I’d have to say the Ecosystem one is the coolest to me. These would be great for homeschooling!
I’ve never seen these before and after looking through your site, this looks like a wonderful learning tool for the kids. Thanks for offering a set as a prize.
What a wonderful tool to have - especially when it masquearades as a toy!
I all looks fun!
I like Global ecosystem alot. This looks really cool! I hope I win!
AWESOME!!! Pelase enter my name, THANKS!!!
Very interesting. I really like the ecosystem as well.
I am a former teacher and these blocks seem great. I would love the math sets for my kiddos.
enter me please, thank you for the contest
Using Dry Erase and Stickers
is my favorite
These blocks are so cool.
very unique count me in please!
I really like the “Us and Them” activity. What a great educational tool!
just to cool
All of them look motivating and inspiring but I like the building Analogies
I have never seen these before either. I too like the Play with a Purpose as it would fit my daughter the best.
the perspectives on art is a great concept for kids
I like that my daughter would learn Perspectives: Learn to take different points-of-view
Please consider me for the contest. At age 70 I want to keep my mind active and believe this to be an excellent way. Gail Beal
I like the idea of Play with a Purpose
Global Eco System is my choice. It seems very appropriate for
today’s world
I like the “organizing systems” one. But I really like all of them- very cool.
global ecosystem seem great
All of them seem great, but I’d like to have the Thrive for my daughter.
Multiplying, dividing and factoring. Math is an “issue” at our home and this looks like something the whole family could learn from…..thinking outside the box, if you will.
The understanding ecosystems one is cool. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’m most intrigued by the metaphors and similes. This is an interesting game. I’d love to win!
metaphors and similes would be excellent for my elementary-aged children. Thanks!
Really appreciate the Understanding Ecosystems, thanks for this awesome giveaway, also like controllable factors video.
Play with a purpouse is my favorite=)
I love the understanding ecosystems aspect of the product! awesome giveaway, thanks!
I bookmarked your site, you have lots of interesting things. The string game tutorial was very sweet. That cat is a star!
The metaphors and similes tutorial is interesting and probably would have helped me understand those concepts. I think the blocks have great possibilities for so many uses!
learning games for children
I love the global ecosystem set
I was never great at math so I watched the video “Multiplying, Dividing, and Factoring Units” with interest. I wish these were teaching tools that I’d had as a child. I want to be able to teach my kids in a better way. ThinkBlocks are amazing!
I love educational toys. learn and have fun.
I think Play with a Purpose sounds great, though the whole thing is an amazing sounding system! Thanks!
The Deconstructing Distinctions: Sex and Gender activity was really interesting. These things are fascinating.
Wow…I just keep thinking about how useful these would be with my 9th grade students. Um, AND my daughter, of course. :o) I like the simile/metaphor activity and the ecosystem activity, but the context one was my favorite. That’s a tough thing to teach, and the activity illustrated it perfectly.
Heather D.
hmdilorenzo (at) aol (dot) com
My two favorite activities were the Metaphors/Similes exercise and the Ecosystem activity. What a fantastic learning tool!
I love th eplay with a purpose segment. These are such a great innovation, any kid would be lucky to have them.
rap9r(at)hotmail(dot)com
I like the Number Line. My daughter is 4 and I think this could help her understand simple math concepts.