Toddler Time

"Nurturing our kids true potential isn't about making sure they reach some predetermined standards, it's about helping them develop the skills they need so they can create a life that is meaningful and satisfying to them"         

                                                                Eileen Kennedy-Moore, psychologist and author

Our first workshop was a riot of colour, texture and playfulness as we designed toys for babies and toddlers. Out of mounds of material emerged a squid clan, a rotating furry thingamajig, a play dashboard (complete with turnable knobs, steering wheel, ignition knob and clutch!), a kick-mobile, a disco dish, a twistable octo-cone and catching cup and a bouncy fur pet.

These are prototypes -or model designs. The kids have taken this open-ended challenge and invented toys with the senses in mind. In this first class, we let the kids think with their hands. We want them to turn their ideas into something tangible and to get comfortable with a wide range of materials.

In our demo time, everyone did a great job of saying what they liked and what they could improve about their designs. We also talked quite a bit about how these models would have to be adapted in the real manufacturing world, to make them safe for little kids. Some of the boys wanted to know how and when they could start production.

This class introduces the kids to the concept that inventions and designs are for someone: the "user". When we're designing for someone else- it's a good idea to think about who they are and what they need or want. Better still ask them! The students had a lot of enthusiasm for this project because many of them have little sisters and brothers. So in this case empathy and understanding of the user come naturally.

"my brother would love this squid, but he might pull it apart!"

"a toddler would love this because it spins and it's furry"

Toy Struck Workshop

Our first challenge in the after-school workshop was to build a prototype toy design for a young child. The kids dived straight into heaps of recycled cardboard plastic and fabric materials to make their toy designs. We set them a challenge to think about the senses-touch, texture, sound and colour- and they made exploratoriums, cars, rattles, snow mixers and sensory books.

image from http://dthsg.com

     

Our aim in this class, was to get the kids comfortable with constructing a prototype. In this session they were given a broad selection of materials to use and these objects themselves suggest ideas to the kids. In other sessions we will try a more deliberative planning approach with draft drawings or team brainstorming. Different methods suit different children, but we want them to experience them all and come up with some cool ideas whilst they do that.