From Chapter 5: Toy Dialogs for the First Year

Knock Knock Blocks™
by Small World Toys

This is a darling set of blocks that feature windows and doors on each of the blocks. For babies in this age category, these blocks provide a new way of playing peek-a-boo. Your baby (or you) can open the door or window and see what lies behind it. Some examples are babies, puppies, a fire station, balloons, and other interesting scenes. The set also contains some triangle blocks that can go on top of the square block to make a little house. The blocks are textured and some have jingling sounds. These sounds and textures will help if your child is visually impaired. Of course the most fun of all is to build the houses higher and higher until they topple over. Lots of laughter follows this activity! One of the blocks has a mirror hidden behind the door and babies love to look at themselves. Let's talk about a peek-a-boo game with this toy.

"Here are our blocks, Michelle. I see a little door here. Can you open the door? Let me help you. Look there is a boy holding a fish. I think he caught the fish. Throw the block. Yay, you threw the block. Here's another one. What will we see behind the door? Peek-a-boo! Who's there? Wow, a baker. He has a pie in his hands. Throw the block. Can you throw it far? Hooray for you. Let's see what else we can find. Find. Open the door. Peek-a-boo who's there? A boy with some sailboats and he has a sailor hat on. Close the door. Throw the block. This block has two doors. Open the doors. Peek-a-boo! Who's there? Wow, two children at a party. They have party hats on."

You can continue in this way with the other four blocks. Remember to point out the textures to your child. If she has a visual impairment, she may remember which blocks have which doors when she gets a little older.