Nikitin’s Squares, Level 1

About the game

It seems that nothing could be simpler than a square, doesn’t it? But as soon as you split it into several pieces, the child is faced with a real puzzle. How do you put all the pieces back together?

‘Nikitin’s Squares’, Level 1 — the starter set for the game based on Nikitin’s method. The child assembles 12 coloured squares from pieces of various shapes: they examine them, compare them, try out different options and find the solution on their own.

The real joy of this game lies in that moment when, after a few attempts, all the pieces finally fall into place.

In the set

• 2 wooden base boards, 23 × 16 cm
• 12 squares (6 per board), each either whole or divided into several parts
• 30 pieces in total
• difficulty level: beginner (1 out of 3)

How to play

1. Remove the pieces from one square.
2. The child reassembles the square in its place.
3. Move on to squares with more pieces.

Where to start

Start with a whole square and squares made up of two parts. Then move on to more complex ones.

Game variations

• ‘Square without a clue’: assemble from a set of pieces;
• ‘Spot the odd one out’: an adult adds an extra piece;
• Sort by colour, then by shape only;
• ‘Compare the weights’: which is lighter and why.

What children can practise

• logical thinking
• spatial awareness
• perseverance and independence
• colours

Who it’s for

Children aged 3 and over; at home, at kindergarten, or during lessons with a teacher.

Material

Wood-based board (pressed wood), bright print.