Mental Blox 360 Degrees

Mental Blox 360 Degrees building game.

In the box: 15 pieces, 40 double-sided puzzle cards

A 3-D puzzle that will require you to use logic and deductive reasoning to build 3D models from different 2D perspectives. The 15 plastic pieces are smooth, hollow plastic, brightly colored, and easy to manipulate.

The pattern cards have a puzzle on the front, showing you the pieces you will need, the finished puzzle, and the perspective that you are looking at. For instance, look at the top right hand corner of the first puzzle in the image below and you will see a small box that is colored blue on the top. That tells you that the finished model below it is being pictured from the top. The back of each card will show you the puzzle solution, from different angles if necessary to see all pieces.

 

The challenges increase in difficulty as you go, and the first image above shows the simplicity of the first puzzle, and the second and third images show the complexity of the last puzzle in the box. Sometimes you will need to use both hands to balance pieces as you go. I love when challenges increase in difficulty as it can help kids develop greater skills as they go. This one has been a challenge for most. For easier versions of Mental Blox, check out Mental Blox and Mental Blox Jr.

If you are interested in more of this type of activity, check out my post What's in Your Therapy Box? Pattern Blocks Edition.

Try this:

• Start by examining each piece. Turn it this way and that and discuss how one piece can look different when looking at it from different perspectives. Stack pieces so that you can see how they fit together in different orientations.
• Use consistent directional and positional language as you work.
• Choose a challenge and build the model while the child watches. Then take it apart and give him the pieces and let him build it.
• Think our loud as you build so that the individual can learn from your problem solving and reasoning processes.
• Turn the card over and try building from the answer side. This can even be a challenge for the more difficult ones.
• Allow the child to identify the error if he builds it incorrectly. If he cannot correct it without help, verbally state the problem and help him walk through problem solving a solution.
• Hand the child each piece as he builds until he can determine where to start and how to proceed.
• Work on visual discrimination, visualization, spatial orientation/position in space, visual closure, visual form constancy, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  

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