Ruk-Shuk

Ruk-Shuk

The object of Ruk-Shuk is to build the rock formation on your challenge card before the timer runs out.

The shape of the rocks are graded for difficulty with the white (#1) being the biggest and flattest, and the yellow (#5) being the piece with the oddest shape and therefore hardest to balance. All the rocks of the same color have roughly the same shape. Each color rock is worth a different point value and points are added for each rock that is still standing when the time runs out.

Just when you think you have it, the last rock you place may tumble the formation and you will have to start over, IF there is enough time! Not for those who are easily frustrated. Challenge card difficulty levels go from 3-10 (there is a junior version before this one for difficulty levels 1 and 2). Challenge cards may also add a twist, such as use only one hand while building, change the position of 2 rocks, or use your non-dominant hand to build.

This has been popular with older kids. Fun fact - each rock formation is based on a real-life formation somewhere in the world.



Try this:

• Get used to the feel of the rocks and how they stack by just playing with them, no rules.
• Build random formations or build the rock formations from the cards without competing or using the timer.
• Eliminate the challenge twist if you know the individual will not likely be able to complete the formation.
• Start by building the formation with the smoother, balanced rocks and work your way up to the variety of rocks and difficulties called for on the cards.
• Work on manual dexterity, fine motor precision, visual discrimination, visual closure, figure ground, spatial relations, eye-hand coordination, flexibility, socialization skills, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation 

In the box: Bag of game pieces (rocks), score pads, 25 challenge cards, timer 

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below to go to Amazon.com

Cuponk

Cuponk is an electronic ball toss game that awards you with lights and sounds when you sink a shot. Do you think you can perform all 30 of the graded challenges?

 

The ping pong balls can be hard to control because they bounce high and easily. My experience has been that a practice period is necessary before each challenge can be completed successfully. Many of the shots can be performed in a seated position, but some require standing.  The challenge cards are rated from 1-5, with one being the easiest and 5 the hardest to complete. There are a couple of blank cards so that you can add your own custom challenges.

 

This game comes in a number of versions so you can add to your collection if you like it. You will need to come up with your own box for storage (a pet peeve of mine ;).

Try this:

• Demonstrate first so that the individual knows what is expected and how to plan the movement.
• Show the cards and let the individual choose the cards and the order in which he wants to try the challenges, as some of them may look a little intimidating.
• Encourage through failed attempts as it will take some trial and error. The ping pong balls are very light weight and bounce with the slightest effort. It may take practice to learn to grade the force with which you throw/bounce them.
• Remove cards you feel will be too challenging until you get a feel for how the person will do. 
• Hold the ping pong ball in one hand, with the logo up. Using the fingers, roll and turn the ball in the hand until the logo disappears and reappears. 
• Work on eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, spatial relations, visual tracking, motor planning, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  

In the box: Electronic Cuponk cup, 6 ping pong balls, 30 challenge cards, sweatband, 5 stickers

 

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below to go to Amazon.com.

Disaster Awareness and Preparation

A website with online games that teach disaster awareness and preparedness, and what to do in case of emergencies. Issues discussed are wildfire, tornado, hurricane/blackout, home fire, winter storm/extreme cold, tsunami/earthquake, thunderstorm/lightening, and extreme heat. The stories are drawn as comics, interspersed with question and answer pages.

You will need to click on an answer to move to the next page. Once you have learned the information from the Disaster Master section, you can move to Build a Kit. You will be shown several rooms and be allowed to choose items to take with you in an emergency. If you choose incorrect items, you will be told what they are and why, and allowed to try again.

If you think you would like to check out this site, here is a link to the Disaster Master game http://www.ready.gov/kids/games/data/dm-english/index.html and a link to the Build A Kit game  http://www.ready.gov/kids/games/data/bak-english/index.html 

This is a government site and there is a lot of information here, not just for kids.

Worth checking out.

Geometric Sorting Board

Work on manual dexterity, visual discrimination, spatial relations, eye-hand coordination, sequencing, color and shape recognition

In the box: Pegboard and 16 colorful wood pieces in four colors
Ages 2-6

This pegboard features solid construction, bright colors, and four different shapes. When the board is empty, the individual must recognize the location for the piece by matching the dowel positions to the holes on the piece. The pieces slide on and off the dowels easily. Each shape comes in four different colors, and the colors match throughout.

Try this:

• Put one piece of each shape on the board to start if the individual would not be able to identify the shape by the position of the dowels.
• Put all the pieces in a bag (or Ned's Head). Ask the individual to reach into the bag and, without looking, pick up one piece, feel it, and identify it as a circle, triangle, rectangle, or square before removing and placing on board.
• Sort the shapes on the tabletop by color.
• Cover the board except for one shape at a time and stack if the individual is distracted by the other pieces.
• Stack all of one shapes, for instance all circles. Ask the individual to stack each geometric shape using the same color pattern as you used for the circles.
• Learn shape names by verbally identifying each piece as it is placed. 
• Choose one color and place all of that color on the board. Then pick another color and put all of that color on the board, etc.
• Place all the pieces randomly on the tabletop. Ask the individual to place them on the board in the order you call them, then randomly call pieces by color only, or shape only, or shape and color.

To purchasing this item or for more information, click on the image below.