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A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child. (Chinese Proverb)

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing (George Bernard Shaw)

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation (Plato)

The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst loving things. (Plato)

USES

Decorative
Cooperative Play
Competitive Play
Solitary
Therapeutic Use
Benefits

DECORATIVE OBJECT

Placo on the Table , a mosaic puzzle, is a stunning decorative piece in any home. As a dining room table centerpiece, on a coffee table or on display shelves. People are captivated by it. After a few moments of puzzlement, they are drawn to touch and play with the cubes. Handling the whole nuts is soothing. Placo on the Table's aesthitic appeal is visual and tactile. As an interactive art object it is always evolving. A metaphor for life - always changing, never the same.

COOPERATIVE PLAY

You will have gentle fun times with friends and family as you sit around Placo on the Table and create patterns. Talking, discussing, sharing ideas. Patterns evolving or following agreed upon patterns. Younger children love the task of sorting cubes by color.

COMPETITIVE PLAY

Many competitive games can be created. Here are some examples.

RACE TO THE MIDDLE

1. Create a cube pattern to be followed.
2. Decide on implements allowed. ( tweezers only, hands only, left hand only)
Adults and older children could be handicapped by requiring they use their left hand - thereby giving younger children a fair chance.
3. Players play simultaneously from opposite sides, placing cubes in the predetermined pattern.
4. First to reach the middle wins.
5. Use whole nuts as counters. Two out of three wins.

STACKING COMPETITION

Within a determined time limit see who can stack the highest number of cubes without their falling. This is extremely challenging given the irregularity of the cubes.

PYRAMID COMPETITION

Within a determined time limit see who can be the first to build a pyramid of agreed upon dimension.

SKY IS THE LIMIT

Sky is the limit as to how many new games you can create. Children delight in making up rules for games.This provides children with an opportunity for open ended creativity. Older children can be encouraged to create new games, write down the rules and compile a book of games.

SOLITARY

You will experience quiet enjoyment by creating various patterns with the cubes. Moments alone with Placo on the Table bring time to a standstill, allowing the mind and body to refresh.

Placo on the Table can be used as a meditation aid. Focus only on the moment at hand. Focus on the cubes. Their feel, color, shape. The way they fit together. The patterns they make. The randomness of no pattern. As your thoughts drift to your life, your problems, your plans - gently, very gently bring your focus back to Placo on the Table.. Again and again, gently bring your thoughts back. You will slowly develope an ability to stay focused for longer periods of time. Be quiet. Be still. Focus gently. Be. You will feel refreshed, alert and have a sense of well being after these times at Placo on the Table.

THERAPEUTIC

Use 2 tagua nuts as a "training toy", similar to chinese medicine balls. Hold two nuts in one hand and rotate them in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The nuts have a friendly feel and they make a soft clicking as they rotate. Moving, clicking, click, click - like a musical instrument.

Chinese medicine balls have been used since the Ming Dynasty (1368- ) and are known for their healing qualities. The muscles in the hands, fingers and forearmms contract and relax in a rhythmic pattern. This is great for stress management.

These hand exercises are recommended for prevention and treatment of arthritis of the hands. Researsh indicates that hand exercises can lead to improvement in hand movements of stroke patients.

BENEFITS

learn cooperation
oral communication skills
fine motor skills
pattern developement
sorting skills
creativity/free thinking
patience
attention to detail
hand steadiness
stress reduction
stroke recovery
arthritis therapy
meditative