HABA Cat and Mouse Brain Builder Peg Set

HABA Cat and Mouse Brain Builder Peg Set

Similar to the Brain Builder Peg Set that I blogged about recently, this set is by the same company, HABA, but features a cat and mouse. The 14 wooden blocks come in a variety of shapes and are brightly painted. Most of them are also decorated, including a wedge of cheese, an orange slice and different parts of flowers. Featured in the Cat and Mouse Brain Builder Peg Set is a happy cat and a happy mouse.

The goal is to build the structures by following the images on the 20 pattern cards. The pattern cards come in three levels of difficulty and the level is indicated by the background color and the number of stars in the top, left corner. The image above shows one of the more difficult models, level 3. The images become more difficult by adding additional pieces and by placing pieces in different orientations, requiring you to figure out how they are being held in place. When the blocks are stacked horizontally, a dowel will have to be placed horizontally inside the pieces to hold them in place. In the image above, the pink piece would not stay suspended next to the green piece without the dowel, which you can see sticking out of it.

A solution is printed on the back of each card and any dowels will be shown on the outside of the structure. Here is a sample card from each level and below those are the solutions on the back of each card:

One card from each level of difficulty, front.

Solutions from back of cards (above).

If you are interested in other activities of this type, check out my post What's in Your Therapy Box? Pattern Block Edition.

Try this:

• Start by playing, and/or examining the pieces without building any models so that the individual can get acquainted with the different shapes and views from different perspectives.
• Start with the necessary pieces lying on the table, already in the correct orientation, for beginners. As the individual improves, turn the necessary pieces so that they will need to be flipped and oriented, pile the pieces on the table so that some are partially covered or behind others, and/or add additional unnecessary pieces to sort through. Work on a variety of visual perceptual skills at the same time if the individual can handle that. 
• Hand the individual a block at a time to build if they cannot look at a finished model and tell where to start or how to proceed.
• Try using the work "stack" if the individual wants to start at the top and build down.
• Build a structure while the individual looks on and problem solve out loud. Then let them try to build it. Say things like "This piece couldn't balance here on its own, so there must be another piece that is helping hold it in place that I can't see" or "Why is so much of this dowel sticking out? There must be something under it that is stopping it from going all the way down" or "It must be a short piece that is helping to hold these two pieces together, as they aren't very tall and I only see a tiny bit of it poking out". 
• Orient and place a piece for the individual as he watches, if he is having difficulty building. Then pick it back up, flip or turn it, and give it back to him to try again.
• Ask the individual "Is that correct?" if a mistake has been made and allow him time to spot the error and correct it before jumping in to help. Errors left uncorrected til the end may result in not enough pieces, an unstable structure and/or unnecessary frustration.
• Hand the individual each piece as he needs it in the incorrect orientation. Ask him to turn it in-hand to position it for placement.
• Find all the pieces for a model ahead of time. Place only those pieces and the card in front of the child. This may decrease frustration that might be added by working on too many things at once.
• Push the first piece or two toward the individual if he is having trouble getting started. Stop assisting as soon as you see he is ready to go it alone.
• Show the individual the back of the card after the model is completed. It will not be the view you will see because parts of pieces will be hidden if they are inside other pieces, but it will give another perspective.
• Place the pieces into a bag that you can't see through (or Ned's Head) and ask the individual to put his hand in and feel for each piece as he needs it to build.
• Show the back of the card to the individual if he gets stuck. It will provide additional clues. Then flip the card back to the front, as building from the back may be difficult.
• Use consistent positional and relational language as you work.
• Work on manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, visual discrimination, visual closure, visual form constancy, spatial relations/position in space, figure ground, eye-hand coordination, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 14 wooden pieces, 20 pattern cards

If you would like to purchase this item or just want more information, click on the image below.