Early childhood development is one of the most essential phases in a person’s life. At this stage, you will develop a lot different skills that will be useful for a person while growing up. We asked a couple of people what skills would be the most helpful for a child, and 76% of them said the "STEM Skills".

We’ve decided to look for a psychology expert who can help us further understand the child’s development. We found Emeline, she has been practicing for over 10 years. She has worked with different cases, from autism to older people. And currently, she specializes in the accompaniment of people with disability.

What are the benefits of play for children?

From an early age, children learn and discover the world through play. Playing has many benefits for children, but also for adults! Beyond the pleasure that play provides, it also allows children's brains to develop and promotes their learning.

It promotes the development of:

• Executive brain functions: planning, inhibition, working memory, attention
• Oral and written language: learning new words, expressing ideas and being understood
• Social skills: bonding, learning to share, cooperate, take turns, compromise
• Motor skills: manipulating objects, running, jumping, crawling, throwing, catching.
• Sensory skills: discovering textures, tastes, sounds, colors, smells
• Self-confidence, creativity, patience, perseverance, autonomy.

Can you describe the concepts of DIY - do it yourself - and STEM - science technology -?

The concept of DIY first appeared in the world of adults, in DIY activities with the idea of developing a different way of consuming. Build yourself to consume differently, avoid waste and find value in manual work.

In children's toys, we find in DIY, the valorization of manual work, construction according to one's imagination, and the possibility of creating a toy "to oneself".In children's toys, we find in DIY, the valorization of manual work, construction according to one's imagination, and the possibility of creating a toy "to oneself".

In concrete terms, how can a toy like the building kit contribute to the development of the child?

Very simple in appearance, the construction game mobilizes different skills in children and allows them to learn many things, both motor and intellectual.

• Manual dexterity: whether it is dexterity (grasping the object) or release, the child will train the skill of his hands. He will also train the coordination of his two hands to reach a goal.
• Coordination between the eye and the hand: in order for the child to assemble, to build, he must mobilize his vision for the action he is doing. He must therefore be able to stay a few seconds/minutes, depending on his age, on the action in question. This develops intellectual skills such as perseverance and attention. Thus, the construction of the fort Building Kit allows soliciting the motor functions but also the mental functions.
• Taking initiative: in a construction game, the child is free to do what he wants. He is also guided by chance but soon enough, a project emerges. He starts the structure with an idea but also makes decisions by placing the elements as he sees fit. In this way, he exercises his power over the world and experiences "his power". He builds… and can also destroy everything: "I have the power to do and undo". A source of pleasure for children!
• The consequence of his actions: the child can also experience the relationship between cause and effect: "I went too fast, I was not careful and the structure collapses". He will then learn from his actions, correct his way of doing things, and perfect his method.