WO2002069303A2

WO2002069303A2 - A book comprising three-dimensional pages

Info

Publication number: WO2002069303A2
Application number: PCT/IB2002/000574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lydia Kruger
Original assignee: Lydia Kruger
Priority date: 2001-02-28
Filing date: 2002-02-27
Publication date: 2002-09-06
Also published as: WO2002069303A8; AU2002237458A1; WO2002069303A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a multi-dimensional animated activity book (10). The book (10) includes a front cover (12), a back (14) and a plurality of rigid pages (16) bound together between the front (12) and back (14) covers, at a spine (18). The pages (16) support and display multi-dimensional activities which are provided by three-dimensional objects that are attached or attachable to the pages of the book. The multi-dimensional activities promote the discovery and cultivation of creative talents, the acquisition of skills for independent learning, including fine motor skills, and can also be used for teaching numeracy and mathematical literacy.

Description

AN ACTIVITY BOOK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a teaching apparatus.

It is recognised that early childhood development (ECD), which relates to the education of children in the age group of from 18 months to 6 years, has a dramatic effect on the development of a child. ECD places an emphasis on the discovery and cultivation of creative talents, the acquisition of skills required for independent learning, including fine motor skills, the development of a positive attitude of self esteem and emotional intelligence, and the progressive development of an ability to learn an think creatively.

Current teaching aids include workbooks (which have been known for many years) and, in more recent times, computers. Workbooks provide one- dimensional activities where a child draws or writes answers into a book, or colours in pictures. Generally, these books are very plain and provide limited assistance in fine motor skill development. Although computers provide interesting and simulating visuals on a computer screen, they are even less effective than workbooks when it comes to fine motor skill development.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved teaching apparatus. SU MARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a multi-dimensional animated activity book, the book including:

a front cover; a back cover; and a plurality of rigid pages bound together between the front and back covers;

wherein the pages between the front and back covers support and display multi-dimensional activities.

The multi-dimensional activities may be provided by three-dimensional objects that are attached or attachable to the pages of the book.

The three-dimensional objects may be familiar objects for teaching basic skills and fine motor control such as belts, buttons, curtain hooks, curtain rings, necklaces, a chain with a lock and key, leather strips, paper clips, pipe cleaners, ribbons, elastic bands, shoe laces, string, or zip fasteners.

Alternatively, the three-dimensional objects may be for teaching numeracy and mathematical literacy, in which case the three-dimensional objects may be a ruler together with string ribbon or straws, numbered circular pictures with a toy animal attached to an end of a piece of string, pieces of string with tokens attached thereto, the tokens bearing numbers which correspond with numbers displayed on the piece of paper, graded sticks which are removable from the sheet and which are housed in a pocket on the sheet, a number of keys attached to the page, elastic bands which are attached to objects protruding from the page. Preferably, the difficulty of the multi-dimensional activity on successive pages of the book increases.

Further alternatively, the three-dimensional objects may be for playing games and teaching motor skills, in which case the pages define fields or surfaces for games, for example, a putting green, a football or hockey field, a surface for tiddlywinks or a surface for skittles, and the three-dimensional objects are apparatus for playing games on the fields or surfaces, the apparatus including golf putters, hockey sticks, toy figures, bats, bails, tiddlywinks, nets for the soccer and hockey fields, skittles, and a swing-ball apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a multi-dimensional animated activity book according to the invention;

Figures 2 - 5 are plan views of pages from a book according to a first embodiment of the invention for teaching basic skills and fine motor skills;

Figures 6 - 8 are plan views of pages from a book according to a second embodiment of the invention for teaching numeracy and mathematical literacy and fine motor skills; and

Figures 9 - 14are plan views of pages from a book according to a third embodiment of the invention, for playing games and teaching motor skills. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates to a multi-dimensional animated activity book which is designed to promote cognitive stimulation and the ability to learn.

Referring to Figure 1 , a multi-dimensional animated activity book 10 according to the invention includes a front cover 12, a back cover 14 and a plurality of rigid pages 16 which are bound together, between the front cover 12 and back cover 14, at a spine 18.

The pages 16 include multi-dimensional activities which are provided by three- dimensional objects that are attached, or attachable to the pages. It is important that each page is rigid and thus the pages 16 are made from rigid cardboard paper. The rigid page provides a solid surface for supporting the multi-dimensional objects so that the multi-dimensional activities can be carried_, out on the pages 16.

Pages of a multi-dimensional animated activity book according to a first embodiment of the invention, designed to promote fine motor control and, at the same time, to teach a child basic skills, are illustrated in Figures 2 - 5.

Referring to Figure 2, a typical page 16 includes three-dimensional objects in the form of a first zip fastener 20 oriented vertically on the page a second zip fastener 22 oriented horizontally on the page. This page teaches a child how to fasten and unfasten a zip fastener horizontally and vertically.

Referring to Figure 3, three-dimensional objects in the form of loops 24 and a length of string 26 are attached to a page 16. A child learns how to thread the string 26 through the loops 24, and is also taught how to follow a path 27 defined by the loops 24. Referring to Figure 4, a pair of pants 28 is depicted on a page 16 and a three- dimensional object in the form of a belt 30 is attached to the page 16. The belt 30 has a first end 32 bearing a buckle and a second end 34 which is arranged to connect to the buckle 32. The first and second ends 32 and 34 may be threaded through loops 36 and 38 which are associated with the pants 28. This page teaches a child to thread a belt through loops 36 and 38 on a pair of pants 28 and also the fine motor skill of fastening the belt 30.

Referring to Figure 5, a page 16 of the book includes a picture of a balloon 40 and three-dimensional objects in the form of the ends of two pieces of string 42 and 44 extending from the base of the balloon 40. The two pieces of string 42 and 44 are tied together to teach a child the fine motor skill of tying a knot. This page 16 also includes a picture of a young girl 46 with three-dimensional objects in the form of three leather thongs 48 extending from her hair. The three leather thongs 48 may be used to teach a child the basic skill of plaiting. Page 16 also includes three-dimensional objects in the form of strips of material 50 and 52. The strip of material 50 includes a button 54 and the strip of material 52 is provided with a button hole 56. The button 54 and button hole 56 are for teaching a child the basic skill of undoing and doing up a button. This page 16 further includes three-dimensional objects in the form of two leather strips 58 and 60 which are attached to the page 16. The strips 58 and 60 include apertures 62. The strips 58 and 60 together with the apertures 62 represent the bridge of a shoe, and a shoelace 64, to be threaded through the aperture 62 is provided. This three-dimensional activity teaches a child the basic skill lacing a pair of shoes and how to tie a knot in the shoelace.

Other three-dimensional objects which may be provided, but which have not been illustrated, include two lengths of chain attached to page, with the two lengths of the chain being joined together by lock with a key. This activity teaches a child how to lock two lengths of chain together and how to unlock and lock the padlock. A necklace with a clasp may be attached to page, to teach a child how to unopen and close the clasp. Ribbons may be attached to the page for teaching a child how to tie bows in the ribbons. Two pipe cleaners may be attached to a piece of paper, for teaching a child how to twist and untwist a pair of pipe cleaners.

Pages of a multi-dimensional animated activity book according to a second embodiment of the invention, designed to teach numeracy and mathematical literacy, as well as fine motor skill development, are illustrated in Figures 6 - 8.

Referring to Figure 6, a page 16 has three-dimensional objects in the form of a drinking straw 66 a piece of ribbon 68 and a piece of string 70 attached thereto. Another three-dimensional object in the form of a ruler 72 is releasably attached to the page 16 with hook and loop material (Velcro™). A child may remove the ruler 72 and learns how to measure items, namely the straw 66, ribbon 68 and string 70 using the ruler 72.

Referring to Figure 7, a page 16 includes pictures with numerals from 1 to 10 written thereon. A three-dimensional object in the form of a token 74 is attached to the page 16 by way of a piece of string 76. A child learns how to count by touching the pictures 1 to 10 with the token 76.

Referring to Figure 8, a page 16 is provided with three-dimensional objects in the form of keys 78 which are attached to the page 16 by way of a piece of string 86. A child may be taught how to add, subtract, multiply, divide and sort using the keys 78.

Other three-dimensional objects include pieces of string with tokens attached thereto, the tokens bearing numbers which correspond with numbers displayed on the piece of paper, graded sticks which are removable from the sheet and which are housed in a pocket on the sheet. The three-dimensional object objects may be elastic bands which are attached to protrusions from the page. The elastic bands can be used to form geometric shapes by altering the positions of the bands on the protrusions.

The three-dimensional activities and objects shown in Figures 6 to 8 can teach children how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, match, count, sequence, sort, select measure, group, substitute, and also how to identify, geometric shapes and sizes.

Pages of a multi-dimensional animated activity book according to a third embodiment of the invention, designed to teach children how to play games, and to develop motor skills, are illustrated in Figures 9 - 14.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, pages 16 of a book according to the invention include apparatus for playing games, the apparatus includes bats 90, a "swing- ball" arm 92 to which is attached a piece of string 94 and a rubber ball 96, a separate rubber ball 98, hockey sticks 100, a golf putter 102, play-figures in the form of soccer players 104, nets 106, tiddlywinks 108 and golf tees 110. The apparatus attached to the pages shown in Figures 9 and 10 are for use in games played on fields or surfaces provided on the other pages of the book which are described below.

Referring to Figure 11 , a page 16 is in the form of a putting green 112 made from felt material. The putting green 112 includes a raised area 114 and a hole 116. In use, a child will remove the ball 98 from the page 16 shown in Figure 9, and the putter 102 from the page 16 in Figure 10, place the ball 98 on the putting green 112 and use the putter 102 to putt the ball 98 into the hole 116.

Referring to Figure 12, pages 16A and 16B are joined by the spine 18 of a book according to the invention. The pages 16A and 16B open up to form a field 118 made from felt material. The nets 106 from the page 16 of Figure 10 are erected on the field 118 and a child and his/her opponent can play a soccer game or a hockey game on the field 118. If the child wishes to play a hockey game, the child, and his/her opponent each remove a hockey stick 100 from the page 16 of Figure 9, and the ball 98. The children can then play a game of hockey on the field 118 using the ball 98 and the hockey sticks 100. The one child will hit the ball 98 with a stick 100, and the other child will defend his/her goal 106 with his/her stick 100. Similarly, children will use the play- figures 104 from the page 16 shown in Figure 10, and the ball 98, to play a game of football on the field 118.

The field 118 shown in Figure 12 also includes an aperture 120 in the middle thereof. The aperture is for receiving the end 112 of the vertical support arm 124 of the "swing-ball" apparatus 92 shown on page 16 in Figure 9. After inserting the swing-ball 92 in the aperture 120, opponents will each retrieve a bat 90 from the page 16 shown in Figure 9, and use the bat to hit the ball 96 on the "swing-ball" apparatus 92.

Referring to Figure 13, this page 16 provides a surface 122 for playing tiddlywinks. The surface 122 includes three apertures 124, 126 and 128 and a demarcated starting area 130. A child can play a game of tiddlywinks on the surface 122 by removing the tiddlywinks 108 from the page 16 shown in Figure 10 and using the tiddlywinks on the surface 122.

Lastly, referring to Figure 14, there is provided a surface 132 for playing skittles. A child will place the golf tees 110 from the page 16 shown in Figure 10 on demarcated dots 134 on the surface 132, and then place the ball 98 from the page 16 shown in Figure 10 on a demarcated dot 136. The child can then see how many skittles 110 he/she can knock over, or elect which skittle to knock over, by flicking the ball 98, off the dot 136, across the surface 132, and at the skittles 110. The three-dimensional activities and objects shown in Figures 9 - 14 can teach children how to play games, and also assist in the motor skill development of children.

The multi-dimensional animated activity books according to the invention combine numerous educational activities in one apparatus, which is easy to handle and transport. Further, because the books are three-dimensional they attract children's attention and children learn while being stimulated and enjoying themselves. Another advantage is that the books are reusable and can be used time and time again, unlike many of the current workbooks. Further, the books are particularly suited to Early Childhood Development and promote the discovery and cultivation of creative talents, the acquisition of skills required for independent learning, including fine motor skills, the development of a positive attitude of self esteem and emotional intelligence, and the progressive development of an ability to learn an think creatively. The progressive nature of the activities ensures that new skills are constantly developed. The more innovative a child becomes the more challenged he will be by the activities.

Claims

1. A multi-dimensional animated activity book, the book including:

2. The activity book according to claim 1 wherein multi-dimensional activities are provided by three-dimensional objects that are attached or attachable to the pages of the book.

3. The activity book according to claim 2 wherein the three-dimensional objects are familiar objects for teaching basic skills and fine motor control.

4. The activity book according to claim 3 wherein the three-dimensional objects are selected from buttons, curtain hooks, curtain rings, necklaces, a chain with a lock and key, leather strips, paper clips, pipe cleaners, ribbons, elastic bands, shoe laces, string, and zip fasteners.

5. The activity book according to claim 2 wherein the three-dimensional objects are for teaching numeracy and mathematical literacy.

6. The activity book according to claim 5 wherein the three-dimensional objects are selected from a ruler together with string ribbon or straws, numbered circular pictures with a toy animal attached to an end of a piece of string, pieces of string with tokens attached thereto, the tokens bearing numbers which correspond with numbers displayed on the piece of paper, graded sticks which are removable from the sheet and which are housed in a pocket on the sheet, a number of keys attached to the page, or elastic bands which are attached to objects protruding from the page.

7. The activity book according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the difficulty of the multi-dimensional activity on successive pages of the book increases.

8. The activity book according to claim 2 wherein the three-dimensional objects are for playing games and teaching motor skills, in which case the pages define fields or surfaces for games.

9. The activity book according to claim 7 wherein the three-dimensional objects are selected from a putting green, a football or hockey field, a surface for tiddlywinks or a surface for skittles, and the three- dimensional objects are apparatus for playing games on the fields or surfaces, the apparatus including golf putters, hockey sticks, toy figures, bats, balls, tiddlywinks, nets for the soccer and hockey fields, skittles, and a swing-ball apparatus.