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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

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Sep 2, 2018

Pix Mix

Pix Mix! figure ground

Pix Mix! is a great figure ground game where you control the difficulty level. The 80 transparent cards are all clear plastic with simple black line drawings. Stack the cards, one on top of the other, and try to "see" everything in the stack.

The pictures on the box (above) include a pair of scissors, a wrench, an anchor, a bowling pin, and a palm tree. With 80 cards, there are so many different combinations that you could play this a long time without ever repeating a stack. There is also an expansion pack with cards that you can buy.

Stacks of cards will be placed in a cardholder so they stay in place. There are four cardholders, so up to four people can play. Up to eight cards can be stacked into the cardholder, but that is a tight fit.

Before starting the game, I like to flip through the pile and make sure that all players can identify each object. There is also an expansion pack available that include just the cards. If you just want to stack and don't care about the jacket, timer, or score pad, you could just buy the expansion pack.

Object:
Identify the most objects before the 30 seconds is up. Or play several rounds and add the score from each round. Highest scorer wins.

Set up:
Decide how many pictures will be stacked for the game. Each person will stack that many pictures, for another player, and places them in a card holder. Each player then passes his card holder to the person on his left.

Play:
Players all play at the same time. When the signal is given, turn over the 30 second timer and each player lifts the lid on his card holder and starts to search. Write the answers on the score card and stop when the timer runs out. When the score cards run out, just use any paper to write on. The person with the most correct answers is the winner.

Try this:
  • Start easy with two pictures, then three, then four, and work your way up as skill increases.
  • Give answers verbally instead of writing.
  • Increase the difficulty by putting like-shaped pictures together going in the same orientation. For instance a toothbrush on top of a pencil on top of a screwdriver.
  • Make the game easier by stacking items that are not similar in shape so it is easier to follow the outline.
  • Start easy by presenting one card and asking the individual to follow the line with his eyes, tracing the object visually. Then stack two cards and ask the individual to start tracing a line. Can he start and end at the same spot and see the object?
  • Stack several cards of pictures going in different directions. Ask directional questions. For instance on the example on the box above, ask which object if leaning toward the right (bowling pin), which object is lying horizontally (east to west - scissors).
  • Work on figure ground, visual discrimination, visual form constancy, visual closure, visual tracing, spatial relations, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, coordinated use of both hands, executive functioning skills, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
In the box: 80 transparent picture cards, 4 card holders, 30 second timer, score pad
 
If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.

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