Product Review: TTS Tree Blocks

Over the last year I have been researching the Reggio Emila approach and slow, very slowly working some of the concepts into our home setting. Part of my own personal preference recently has also been to stop buying plastic toys and switch to toys made from natural materials. This being said I can not resist some things like our light table numbers and reusable ice cubes.

This month we have been reviewing some beautiful tree blocks for TTS. This is a resource I have been wanting to purchase for the boys but never got round to it. My wish list for Childminding is forever growing.

As soon as we emptied them out of the bag I could smell a gorgeous wax or treatment that as been used to make them last longer. This does not ruin the natural aspect of the blocks but simply keeps them in good condition. The older children (5- 10) could not wait to get started using the blocks to build houses for their fairies. While the younger boys (2-4) enjoyed making structures and attempted balancing them in weird and wonderful ways.

The blocks come in a wide range of shapes including planks, stumps(36) , slices, door ways and windows, giving the children a great variety to work with. The set is available with or with out bark and you should be aware the bark can come loose as it would in its natural environment. The set come in a nice canvas bag to keep them safe when no in use however our tend to sit out in a hamper basket for the children to use as and when they please.

The tree blocks have become the most versatile resource along with our new wooden bowls which work great together when playing with loose pieces a concept to learning which the children have really taken to . I can tell both resources will get a lot of use and would recommend these to other families and childminders looking for key play resources to start off with.

Tree Blocks- available from TTS Group for £51.54 including vat

Wooden bowls- available from TTS Group for £47.94 including vat