08 Feb IKOS 3D Sphere Puzzle
IKOS 3D SPHERE PUZZLE
IKOS 3D Sphere Puzzle
Tonina Llull
The IKOS sphere and brainy ball are a fantastic addition to your child's toy collection or your professional pediatric tool box. Build executive functioning, fine motor skills, visual information processing, bilateral coordination, and sensory processing of tactile and proprioceptive information while playing with this innovative and versatile toy.
Meets Expectations
Durability
Versatility
Engagement
The Essentials
The challenge to build an actual “ball” with this 3D sphere puzzle will sustain your children’s level of effort and is addictive once they have succeeded with connecting the pieces, to literally create a ball, to play with. You can also use those same pieces to create abstract versions of other objects – we have used the sample images in the IKOS instruction pamphlet to create a lamp and even animals — even more fun, we have created our own play tools for active games. Either alone, against an opponent, or with teammates this 3D puzzle toy is excellent!
The IKOS sphere and brainy ball have been a fantastic addition to our tool chest and home program resource list. I have engaged my clients and their family members with this Sphere and seen progress in executive functioning (planning, organizing, selective attention, self-monitoring, task initiation and completion, and self-regulation),, fine motor skills, visual information processing, bilateral coordination, and sensory processing of tactile and proprioceptive information – and that was just from building the sphere!
The opportunity for creativity, socialization, active play, and family engagement when using the sphere or the pieces to create different play items or objects have also resulted in a wonderful demonstration of kid power.
Parents, therapists, and kid consultants, give this toy high marks for fun, learning, interaction, and repeat playing – this toy merits being part of the standard rotation at home and for use at recess, after school programs, as part of a lesson plan, as well as in the clinical rehab setting.
Fun Factor
This game has a good family factor, as varying aged siblings and parents enjoy the challenge of building with these pieces. It is also enjoyed solo or with peers. Once the sphere is built, it facilitates active play, which is a bonus for any toy that primarily starts off as a fine motor/perceptual task.
Set-Up and Clean-Up
Set-up, cleanup, and storage of this game is easy. The pieces are strong and durable, easy to sanitize, as well as portable.
The IF-THEN’S and the BUT’S
Younger children will need assistance to connect the pieces together and to keep them together while connecting more pieces — this interactive, “partner time” aspect of the activity (for younger children) is still fun and keeps the kids engaged through the challenge. Demonstrating how to build it and the strategic building of 2 halves, first, is an important step for most children doing it for the first time.
HOW TO AUGMENT THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT
When using toys and games, we can facilitate increased general learning and target specific learning areas; enhance creativity and imagination; further foster problem solving and memory; target specific physical (gross and fine motor) skills, social skills, and communication; and we can foster sensory processing and modulation.
Learn how to maximize the use of this product for your child, clients, or patients. NOTE: Not all games lend to a wide variety of alternate strategies. The level and amount of suggestions will vary from game to game and may be added to from time to time.
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