****Giveaway is closed! Congrats to Jane Little, our winner!***
I'm always delighted to support companies that are all about promoting open-ended and creative play. Especially companies who are also well-versed in the benefits of Reggio Emelia (my hands-down, current favorite early childhood education philosophy). So when I was contacted by the folks over at the Learning Materials Workshop to see if we wanted to test out their new set of blocks, I jumped at the chance.
You know we love our blocks. A lot.
Learning Materials Workshop creates highly colored, very unique sets of blocks. At first glance, they don't look like anything exciting. Here's the Coloraturo:
Um. Ok.
But it only took Raines about 2.3 seconds to see the myriad of possibilities in this little set.
He made houses....
And train tracks...
And little pyramids. He was very proud of the way they fit together just so:
And he tried his hand at stacking....
Until his brother came along. You know how this is gonna end, right?
Yup.
We're having a little trouble with sharing over here. I get it. Sharing sucks.
After that, R got a bit frustrated and we put them away. The stacking ability is really cool, but the blocks are thin, and have to be stacked just so in order to stay up. Totally pissed him off.
But the next morning? They were the first thing he asked for.
And after many more falls, he finally got it higher - all by himself. The kid was PROUD. And so was I.
The verdict? These blocks were (and continue to be) a hit. The colors and unique shapes really draw him in...yet they are simple enough to promote all kinds of open-ended play. Even Pax gets in on the action - just basically fitting two pieces together, taking them apart. Fitting them together, taking them apart. Etc.etc.
A huge thank-you for Learning Materials Workshop for sharing their fabulous Coloraturo blocks with us! I'm now a huge fan. The Coloraturo set retails for $75.
Onto the giveaway!
The Learning Materials Workshop is offering one reader the Curvilinear Set. This set retails for $50, and looks like a bridge-builders dream.
R would go nuts. Learning Materials Workshop says:
Children combine soft, flexible, clear tubing and hard, stable, rectilinear blocks and dowels as they explore, construct, and compare structures. Topological forms that curve, twist, and stretch are contrasted with fixed angular shapes—enriching language and encouraging mathematical thinking and cooperative problem solving.
Oooo...fun.
If you'd like a Curvilinear set for your little one, here are the ways to enter:
- Share this post on Facebook
- Like Ain't No Mom Jeans on Facebook
- Like Learning Materials Workshop on Facebook
You will get one entry for likes, three entries for sharing. Then leave a comment telling us how you've entered. And please: leave your email address (or blog or something) when you leave a comment. We've been having trouble getting in touch with giveaway winners because they left only a name. (Amy? Which Amy? Amy L? I'm Amy C...??) Too much mom-brain on all sides of this coin. :)
UPDATE: When inputting your email, you can just use the "Your Information" box while commenting. You don't have to put it in the comment field itself.
We'll pick a winner on Monday, Feb 6th at 6PM EST.
xo,
S
ps. And HEY! Give me some props on the photos, would ya?? With the exception of the last pic...I took ALL of the pics! All by myself!! Really! Granted, I realize that the last pic (taken by hubby) is still the best one...but mine aren't bad. Thank you again, Ashley Ann.




Liked you on FB
itsjustme91770 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Posted by: Carol W | January 30, 2012 at 09:07 PM
Done and done. Shared, liked, and liked. I only wish you were also giving away the Coloraturo. LOVE.
Posted by: A Facebook User | January 30, 2012 at 09:07 PM
Liked LMW on FB
itsjustme91770 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Posted by: Carol W | January 30, 2012 at 09:08 PM
Liked both of you on Facebook, and shared the post. Awesome giveaway! anne (dot) chaconas (at) gmail (dot) com.
Posted by: A Facebook User | January 30, 2012 at 09:09 PM
I shared the contest on Facebook.
Posted by: Tamara Watson | January 30, 2012 at 09:17 PM
And I already liked you on Facebook. :)
Posted by: Tamara Watson | January 30, 2012 at 09:17 PM
And now I like Learning Materials Workshop on Facebook too!
Posted by: Tamara Watson | January 30, 2012 at 09:18 PM
I would like to play with those blocks! I shared the contest on Facebook.
Posted by: Angela tximeleta33(at)gmail(dot)com | January 30, 2012 at 09:51 PM
I already Liked Ain't no mom jeans on FB.
Posted by: Angela tximeleta33(at)gmail(dot)com | January 30, 2012 at 09:52 PM
I liked Learning Materials workshop on FB.
Posted by: Angela tximeleta33(at)gmail(dot)com | January 30, 2012 at 09:53 PM
Like, like, like.
Posted by: Molly F. | January 30, 2012 at 10:09 PM
Liked on facebook.
Posted by: mary | January 31, 2012 at 12:12 AM
Oh my gosh!! these are so cool! My son is only 6 months, but will LOVE these when he gets a little older! I liked the post on FB, and shared it as well. I also liked the learning materials workshop on FB.
bethany.lamois at gmail dot com
Posted by: Beth LaMois | January 31, 2012 at 05:31 AM
done and done. shared this baby! I love the evil picture of your baby, that is a perfect moment. good job capturing.
Posted by: Kristen | January 31, 2012 at 05:39 AM
Liked both pages on facebook!
Posted by: Tamar | January 31, 2012 at 05:45 AM
I like you both on facebook - and have shared the post!
Sakina
saku_1 at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Sakina | January 31, 2012 at 06:15 AM
I like you on fb!
Posted by: Teri Stewart | January 31, 2012 at 06:19 AM
Already like you on FB. Love the pictures, especially the one where the baby has the evil gleam in his eye. I see that same look when my one-year-old gets his hands on big sister's toys...
Posted by: Anitra | January 31, 2012 at 06:36 AM
already like you on FB.
Posted by: JulainaB | January 31, 2012 at 06:36 AM
neat blocks! A little pricey for me, but love the chance to win them! My sons would go nuts about them. Thanks!
Posted by: JulianaB | January 31, 2012 at 06:37 AM
Shared this on FB!
(oh yeah, my email is anitra AT alum DOT wpi DOT edu)
Posted by: Anitra | January 31, 2012 at 06:38 AM
I shared this post on Facebook.
Posted by: Clarissa | January 31, 2012 at 07:10 AM
I like you on FB
Posted by: Clarissa | January 31, 2012 at 07:10 AM
I like Learning Materials Workshop on fb.
Posted by: Clarissa | January 31, 2012 at 07:10 AM
I "liked" ANMJ, LMW on Facebook and I shared this post on FB! :D These blocks are AWESOME! jennifermlawson at gmail dot com!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 31, 2012 at 07:37 AM
LOVE these! Would love to win! Question: If I put my email in the "Your Information" section to submit a comment, will you have it? Or do I need to write it in the comment itself?
Posted by: Susana | January 31, 2012 at 07:44 AM
Shared, liked and liked. Off to check out the Coloraturo set now.
Posted by: Wan | January 31, 2012 at 07:57 AM
I liked! I shared! Very interested in this set.
Posted by: rachel | January 31, 2012 at 08:18 AM
I liked Learning Materials on fb.
Posted by: Jess Z. | January 31, 2012 at 09:49 AM
I liked you on fb :)
Posted by: Jess Z. | January 31, 2012 at 09:49 AM
Shared the post and liked Learning Materials (have already liked you guys!) My kids would love these blocks!
keliel@msn.com
Posted by: Kelly Camacho | January 31, 2012 at 10:08 AM
our boys would love these!! www.familyoforourke.blogspot.com
Posted by: shiloh o'rourke | January 31, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Thanks for the great toy (and learning) idea! Shared the link, liked your blog, and liked the company.
Posted by: Marie P | January 31, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Shared this on Facebook! Hope to win for my little guy!
Posted by: Andrea Milam | January 31, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Liked both sites! My fingers are crossed!
Posted by: Abi Hoffman | January 31, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Liked Aint no mom jeans on facebook
Posted by: Beth Peterson | January 31, 2012 at 02:53 PM
Liked Learning Materials workshop on fb as well!
Posted by: Beth Peterson | January 31, 2012 at 02:54 PM
I like ANMJ on FB!
Posted by: Brooke | January 31, 2012 at 03:14 PM
I liked Learning Materials Workshop on FB!
Posted by: Brooke | January 31, 2012 at 03:15 PM
I'm sharing this on FB!
Posted by: Brooke | January 31, 2012 at 03:15 PM
Shared the link on Facebook! Awesome toys:)
Posted by: Steph | January 31, 2012 at 03:33 PM
I shared this on FB and liked Learning Materials and Ain't No Mom Jeans. Love the blocks :)
Posted by: Cheryl N | January 31, 2012 at 04:10 PM
I liked Ain't No Mom Jeans on Facebook.
Posted by: Sarah | January 31, 2012 at 04:18 PM
I liked Ain't No Mom Jeans on FB...and I totally think the mischievous smile/pre-block smash photo is the best one. :) Wonderful job!!
Posted by: aly | January 31, 2012 at 04:19 PM
i like anmj on fb!!!
Posted by: Twila Owen | January 31, 2012 at 04:40 PM
i like learning materials workshop on fb. Such beautiful stuff!
Posted by: Twila Owen | January 31, 2012 at 04:41 PM
shared on fb!
Posted by: Twila Owen | January 31, 2012 at 04:41 PM
I liked anmj on fb.
Posted by: Jane Little | January 31, 2012 at 05:43 PM
I liked the Learning Materials Workshop on FB.
Posted by: Jane Little | January 31, 2012 at 05:44 PM
I shared this post on FB.
Posted by: Jane Little | January 31, 2012 at 05:46 PM