A040 Pink Tower

Materials:

• Ten pink wooden cubes, varying in size from one cubic centimeter to one cubic decimeter.

Presentation:

1. Carrying the Cubes:

• The Directress demonstrates how to carry the cubes to the floor mat.

• For the smallest four cubes, use a three-finger grip (thumb, index, and middle finger) to grasp each cube from the top and place them randomly on the mat.

• For cubes four through seven, use one hand to carry each cube to the mat.

• For the largest three cubes, use both hands, balancing the cube with the palms.

2. Building the Tower:

• Place all cubes randomly on the mat.

• The Directress demonstrates building the tower, starting with the largest cube and placing the next largest centrally on top.

• She may demonstrate with the first three cubes, then invite the child to place subsequent cubes.

• Allow the child to place the final cube independently.

3. Observation and Dismantling:

• Once the tower is complete, invite the child to observe it from above.

• The Directress then demonstrates dismantling the tower, starting with the top cube.

• She shows the first two removals and invites the child to continue.

4. Returning to the Shelf:

• Return the cubes to the shelf, beginning with the largest.

Points of Interest:

• The child may choose to build the Pink Tower independently.

• The cubes clearly demonstrate size differences through variations in three dimensions (length, width, height).

• For introductory activities, consider building towers with:

• The three or four smallest cubes.

• The three largest cubes.

• Three consecutive middle-sized cubes.

• For children with special needs, use five cubes, selecting every other cube.

• The smallest cube requires precise hand-eye coordination due to its size.

• The three-finger grip used for the smaller cubes prepares the child for pencil grip.

• Repeated use of the cubes develops muscular memory for spatial gradations.

Purpose:

• Develop visual and muscular perception of dimension.

• Refine coordination and fine motor control.

• Indirectly prepare for mathematics through comparison, grading, and seriation.

• Introduce mathematical vocabulary.

Variations:

• Horizontal Building: Build the tower horizontally on the mat.

• Size Recognition Game:

• Select three cubes of different sizes.

• Give instructions like, "Bring me the largest cube," or "Bring me a cube larger than this one."

• Spiral Building: Build the tower in a spiral formation.

• Two-Dimensional Representation:

• Provide pink paper squares matching the cube sizes.

• Have the child build the tower and then create a 2D representation by gluing the squares onto paper.