Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1123474
30 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • June 2019 D OW N T OW N F R E D E R I C K S B U R G C H E S T E R F I E L D S H O R T P U M P Kids have been playing with blocks forever. Why? Well, as you probably remember from your own childhood, the only thing more fun than building a tall tower is knocking that tower down and then starting the process all over again. It's a simple game. But the concepts it teaches are anything but. In fact, playing with blocks starts building fundamental science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills that can help children succeed in careers that are increasingly a vital part of both our economy and our world. And like all the play-based activities at the Children's Museum, we take the fun to an even higher level. We place our transparent blocks on light tables—where kids can discover how light changes the colors as they plan, stack, complete (and destroy) their creative structures. While doing so, they increase their fi ne motor development, pre-writing skills, color recognition, reasoning abilities and spatial awareness skills. Oh, and they also have a ton of fun—which is incredibly cute to watch. LET'S BE HONEST: LEARNING STEM SKILLS IS PRETTY ADORABLE C H I L D R E N S M U S E U M O F R I C H M O N D . O R G