Illustration coming soonThe Wide Bottom Block
Dovi puts a small block on the mat. He puts a long block on top. Then he adds one more.
The tower leans. Dovi catches the top block before it falls. "Stay," he tells it.
Totty sits beside the mat. "Shall we look at the bottom?" Dovi takes the blocks down one at a time.
The small bottom block is narrow. Dovi lays the long block flat on the mat instead. "Try this one first," he says.
He puts the small block in the middle of the long one. Totty keeps his hands beside the mat. Dovi lets go.
The little tower stands. Dovi adds another block. It wobbles, so he takes that block off again.
"Two for now," says Dovi. He places a wooden animal beside the tower. It is almost as tall.
Before cleanup, Dovi takes the top block down first. The wide block waits underneath. He puts both into the bin.
Activity 1
Which block is underneath at first?
Activity 2
What does Dovi catch?
Activity 3
Where does Totty suggest looking?
Activity 4
What does Dovi put underneath next?
Activity 5
Why does he take off the extra top block?
Activity 6
Draw Dovi’s two-block tower.
Activity 7
With a grown-up, try two large lightweight blocks on a clear floor mat. You may watch.
Activity 8
Which block does Dovi take down first at cleanup?
Grown-up notes and answers
1. The small, narrow block.
2. The top block, before it falls.
3. At the bottom.
4. The long block, lying flat.
5. The tower wobbles.
6. Wide block below, smaller block above; any simple drawing is enough.
7. No high tower, climbing, hard thrown blocks or small choking pieces. A wobble is information, not a contest.
8. The top block.