Playtime Engineering

Playtime Engineering invites young learners and their caregivers to explore the basics of engineering through playful everyday activities. This engaging board book is part of the Big Science for Tiny Tots series by MIT Kids, using vibrant photography and clever narration to highlight how babies use their bodies and surroundings to build, balance, and explore structure. As children reach, stack, and topple their towers, they unknowingly engage with real-world engineering concepts such as support, stability, weight distribution, and force. The book celebrates experimentation, cause-and-effect thinking, and problem-solving, all within the context of play. By observing how a baby's playful building leads to understanding physics and design, caregivers are encouraged to view daily routines as valuable learning experiences. With its lively visuals and science-informed storytelling, this title is a perfect introduction to engineering for the youngest learners and their families.

Educational Benefits:

• Introduces foundational engineering principles through relatable play.
• Promotes spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
• Encourages fine motor skill development and hand-eye coordination.
• Supports STEM learning through observation and experimentation.

Classroom Ideas:

• Provide blocks for tower-building and discuss what makes them stable.
• Use descriptive language to label parts of a structure (base, height, support).
• Create challenges where students design the tallest or strongest tower.
• Compare real-world structures like bridges or buildings to children's creations.

Information:

• Ages: 0-3 years
• Format: Board book, 24 pages
• Dimensions: 155 mm (H) x 154 mm (W)