Forts continue to draw all generations through all ages. It seems that the fun of this favorite childhood activity is well proclaimed. But, the secret to the attraction remains buried beneath the fun and movement involved. Fort building proves to be the rare arena in which the question “Why?” never arises.
Want in on the secret? Shhh! Fort building also enhances learning. Crazy, isn’t it? Math, science, art, language and more are boosted by Fort Magic kits and the process that ensues once the connectors and sticks dump from the box. Evidence abounds that play comprises the child’s classroom as he or she interacts with and manipulates the world in real time, and forts …show more content…
Crawling in and out of secret doors, negotiating obstacles, slithering through tunnels and just good old running provide fodor for developing brains. And, if parents need a reason to join in the fun (because we all love forts!), healthy aging and improved cognitive functioning rewards active adults as well. Yes, the benefits of movement extend into adulthood.
So let’s look at some ways Fort Magic fort kits enhance learning through the act of building. Fort construction reinforces lessons in the following areas and more:
Math
As soon as those Fort Magic sticks and connectors dump from the box into the pile on the floor, math skills engage. Sizing up the correct pieces for use requires measurement and estimation proficiencies. And, don’t underestimate the value of counting that takes place.
Creating and manipulating shapes, plus imagining how they fit together to form an invention employs geometry and the beginnings of architecture. And, all the while, analytical skills work overtime without a single thought to their presence. …show more content…
Natural art materials come from unexpected places with flowers to spread color and stones to draw. Music explored through reeds, sticks and tough shelled pods fills the air along with the giggles of children.
Language
Reading and writing during the school year boost academic success. In fact, it seems that reading single-handedly improves cognitive function. And, while both of these activities discover space within the snuggly privacy of a fort, language development finds further growth through less traditional means.
Fort building naturally promotes verbal communication which proves invaluable to language development. Laying out of fort plans, sharing a vision, negotiation of ideas and conflict resolution when preferences clash teach valuable interpersonal skills and give children experience in the use of language. Furthermore, the ownership and cozy nature of forts encourages the exchanging of secrets and the building of friendships.
As parents, this secret value of fort building should be kept underwraps. Then again, you may quickly forget it once you begin constructing that creation with your child or hear the laughter from outside. After all, the fun of Fort Magic forts seems to banish most other