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Bright Day Big Blocks

BRIGHT DAY PLAY BASED CURRICULUM – HOORAY, IT’S TAKING HOLD!

By Press

SINCE IT’S LAUNCH IN 2020 THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS + CHILDREN HAVE PLAYED + LEARNED WITH OUR BRIGHT DAY CLASSROOM CURRICULUM

“There are millions of ideas out there – and thousands are likely good ideas.  But, the best ideas are those that get exposed to folks, are utilized, and actually work – really work!”  These are the words of David Krishock, Co-Founder here at Bright Day.  He was referring to the development, use and success of the BRIGHT DAY PLAY BASED CURRICULUM.

EVERY IDEA HAS A BEGINNING!

Bright Day began creating its curriculum late in 2018, with members of their global Advisory Group.

There are numerous styles of play-based curriculum available.  A major goal of Bright Day was to make it easy to understand, easy to implement for teachers with children, and very easy to explain to children’s parents.

Of course, the philosophy behind the curriculum was and continues to be:

  •  to be child-directed – children have control over the content, choosing the themes and projects used to teach them
  • to be hands on – exploring, observing, asking questions
  • to be collaborative – child to child and child to teacher
  • to allow for total child self-expression – don’t hold back, never hold back

This play-based learning model allows for a continuous and building learning process – as well as instilling in children a love for learning.

IT’S TAKING HOLD – AND ITS WORKING!

We know our curriculum downloads are significant, we get teacher feedback and answer teacher questions each week – and we hear our curriculum is easy to implement and is working!  It’s great to know that the curriculum is taking hold, says David Krishock.  He continues, “there is a difference between learning through open-ended play, and taking play into the classroom – using themes and projects to create learning environments.  It all works and it’s all critically important. We are so proud to be helping educators build todays Modern Classroom ™ for early learners.

HOW CAN YOU ENGAGE?

Gaining access to the Bright Day Play-Based Curriculum is easy.  Bright Day Big Blocks and its not-for-profit charitable organization Bright Day Foundation makes this learning tool available to the public at no cost.  Simply follow this link to the curriculum: www.brightdaybigblocks.com/classroom-curriculum/

David Krishock encourages teachers to bring play-based learning, and possibly the Bright Day version to their school, classroom, and their students.  “You will not be disappointed, he says, initially the work can be challanging for the classroom teachers because they have to curate lesson around the themes and projects preferred by the children, but once the system is in place and operating the child engagement and the learning takes off.

If you would like to learn more about Bright Day Play-Based Classroom Curriculum – or about Bright Day Foundation or Bright Day Big Blocks you can email us at contact@brightdaybigblocks.com and phone us at 01-818-914-6541.

About Bright Day Big Blocks

Bright Day Big Blocks is a fun, new and unique play system designed to stimulate creative, child directed play.  Bright Day offers big soft blocks and designs play space environments that peaks a child’s curiosity, unlocks creativity, inspires collaboration, and builds confidence.  These big foam blocks encourage play that builds cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills important in the development of all children.  Bright Day Big Blocks can be found around the world, in schools, playgrounds, libraries, hospitals, airports, restaurants, hotels and resorts, public parks, camps and anywhere you find children playing.  Bright Day Big Blocks is transforming children’s lives through play – building stronger minds and bodies, and enabling a brighter future for our kids.

NEW ROCK + ROLLER!

By Press

NEW ROCK + ROLLER!

DEVELOPS BOTH BRAIN + BODY!

Our second new product launch of 2022, and likely most significant, is our new ROCK + ROLLER!

Our ROCK + ROLLER is a 10-piece block kit, featuring two supersized half-circle BIG BLOCKS that when combined form a giant wheel.  Obviously, children play with this in a number of ways – but, primarily they hop into the wheel and ROLL, or use either half of the wheel and ROCK.  In testing the children also climb, they spin, and when used with our Big Blocks they stack, connect – and more.

BRIGHT DAY has contributing education-based product design professionals from all over the world.  And this new product was a collaboration between our partner BorneLund of Japan (#1 provider of learning-based tools and toys in Japan) and Bright Day Big Blocks Co-Founder Laurel Tucker from our Los Angeles, California headquarters.

In Japan companies that promote play seem to design and provide children with more items enabling physical, active play.  In Japan stimulating the body is equally as important as stimulating the brain.  This in part inspired Laurel Tucker to collaborate to create ROCK + ROLLER!  Laurel Tucker says, “as we all know, children just love to play – to release and express – and they love to run as fast as they can as much as they love to solve puzzles – so the creation of our new ROCK + ROLLER! Is meant to stretch that body and stretch that brain – all the more FUN, right?”

She continues, “we love to say – MOVE and exercise your body – all the strength, stamina, balance, dexterity, coordination building – and DREAM and exercise your brain – all the creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, confidence building – and so much more.”

Like all of our BRIGHT DAY products – the ROCK + ROLLER! is made with highly durable, but extremely soft and safe EVA foam.  The big foam blocks two main pieces in the kit are a big blue block, and a big green block – coincidentally, two of the world’s favorite colors.

ROCK + ROLLER was launched on October 1st, just in time for back-to-school and all the learning opportunities made available as the children and teachers get back together.  ROCK + ROLLER! offers yet another tool in that learning toolbox.

For more information on Bright Day Big Blocks please Contact Us at +1-818-914-6541 or conatct@brightdaybigblocks.com.  “Please contact us – we are always available to help you help your children Play + Learn”, concludes Laurel Tucker.

Rock-Roller-girl-half-circle

new Bright Day MIX Blocks

MORE NEW PRODUCTS! – NEW MIX BLOCK SET!

By Press

A focus at Bright Day Big Blocks is to serve educators needs for play-based learning tools. Designing and introducing new products for our global community is a top priority.

“We are happy to launch our new Bright Day MIX Blocks,” says Co-Founder, David Krishock. “The idea of MIX is pretty simple.  We combined blocks in the world’s two favorite colors – green and blue.  And, combined blocks in our customers two favorite sizes – BIG and MEDIUM. “Our design group has really optimized their idea, now with the perfect sizes, shapes, and colors.”

The MIX is a 70-piece kit of blocks that promises to give children that magical BIG Block experience. The Block kit is perfect for tighter play spaces – like the smaller daycare center or for use at home.  The MIX will be featured exclusively in our online shop.

The MIX Blocks already have fans, like the YMCA West in Green Bay Wisconsin who says, “What a GIANT HIT with the children” as well as saying “Parents have stopped by the office telling us how much their kids enjoy playing with the new blocks”  Thank you YMCA for those kind words!

You can place your MIX Block order online beginning this October at: https://brightdaybigblocks.com/shop/

And for the next 90 days, orders will also be taken by calling our office at 818-914-6541 or by emailing us at contact@brightdaybigblocks.com

THANK YOU FOR LOVING BRIGHT DAY BIG BLOCKS!

About Bright Day Big Blocks

Bright Day Big Blocks is a fun, new and unique play system designed to stimulate creative, child directed play.  Bright Day offers big soft blocks and designs play space environments that peaks a child’s curiosity, unlocks creativity, inspires collaboration, and builds confidence.  These big foam blocks encourage play that builds cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills important in the development of all children.  Bright Day Big Blocks can be found around the world, in schools, playgrounds, libraries, hospitals, airports, restaurants, hotels and resorts, public parks, camps and anywhere you find children playing.  Bright Day Big Blocks is transforming children’s lives through play – building stronger minds and bodies, and enabling a brighter future for our kids.

YMCA GREEN BAY WEST IS OUR 2022 SUBMIT 2 WIN BIG BLOCK WINNER!

By Press

YMCA GREEN BAY WEST IS OUR 2022

SUBMIT 2 WIN BIG BLOCK WINNER!

“Thank you Bright Day Big Blocks for the opportunity to receive this amazing gift.  Our families and children are going to be ecstatic.”

~ Heidi Hernandez, Director of Member Services

 

Each year a lucky winner is drawn from the big blue block storage caddy Bright Day keeps in its office.  This past year there were over a thousand entries.  And the lucky winner for 2022 was the YMCA, and more specifically the West Side Y of Greater Green Bay Wisconsin.  Hooray + Congratulations!

Bright Day Big Blocks is happy to share its Big Blocks with the community of Green Bay.  And this year they made this annual gift even more special by giving the Y its newest product – Bright Day Mix Block kit.  The new Mix Block kit combines big and medium blocks, their customer’s two favorite sizes, with green and blue blocks, the world’s two favorite colors – now that’s a great MIX!

Bright Day shipped the YMCA Green Bay West 210 pieces, enough for about 25 children at a time to stack, connect, and channel balls through the blocks – igniting both brains and bodies through play.  The Y has committed to sending play pictures which Bright Day promises to share on their social media sites.

Laurel Tucker, Bright Day Big Blocks Co-Founder says, “SUBMIT 2 WIN! is just our favorite program of the year – it’s where we share our favorite product, our Big Blocks with our favorite people – those that join our community by simply completing a contact form on our website”.

She continues, “I encourage everyone to join our community and give your organization a chance to win SUBMIT 2 WIN!  We have already begun collecting entries for 2023 – and like the YMCA, you can win too,”

To enter SUBMIT 2 WIN! 2023 please visit the Contact section of the Bright Day Big Blocks website.  Enter today!  To learn more about our products, prices and play-based benefits give Bright Day a call at 818 914 6541.

BACK BEHIND THE CAMERA!

By Press

The Bright Day Foundation tribute to play-based learning, the film documentary titled PLAY IS THE WAY! is back in production after a 2-year pandemic-induced hiatus.

“Exactly two years ago April, we were packed up and heading to Japan, after successfully filming here in the USA, in New York and San Francisco, when everything – EVERYTHING – came to a screeching halt, ” says David Krishock, Executive Director of Bright Day Foundation.  He continued, “we were eager to film with our international partners in Europe, Asia, and the USA so we could continue to assemble our film and tell our story – a revolutionary story that must be told to educators and parents worldwide – that quite possibly play is the best way for our children to learn.”

Children possess a natural curiosity and have an innate desire to learn.  Also, children love to play.  And, children individually have preferences for how they play.  Combine these three elements and a much more robust, much more effective child learning and development paradigm is formed.  It’s a child-centered, child-directed method of teaching and learning.

“Our film visits best practice centers worldwide to tell our story”, says David Krishock, “we take educators and parents to places never before seen, to classrooms and play spaces that provide real-life examples of play-based learning – environments that underscore how play-based learning works, and these examples help illustrate why it is so effective.  We are very fortunate to be partnering with a group of experts to help tell our story.”

The revised schedule has the Bright Day film production crew visiting England and Denmark in September, Japan and South Korea in October, and possibly Australia and New Zealand during that same period.

For more information on Bright Day Foundation, the PLAY IS THE WAY! film documentary, and other Foundation initiatives – or our Bright Day Big Blocks please call +01-818-914-6541 or email contact@brightdayfoundation.org.

 

About Bright Day – conceived in 1988, Bright Day was created to help children learn.

Bright Day Big Blocks was inspired by the power of super-big, kid-sized, foam building blocks.  Children stack, connect and become so deeply engaged they learn as they play.  Benefits to children include unlocking their natural curiosity – building creativity and use of imagination, problem-solving and critical thinking, communication and collaboration, building confidence and self-esteem – advancing cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.  Big Blocks are a superb method of demonstrating the advantages of learning through play.

Bright Day Foundation was also created as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides our Big Blocks to under-resourced schools country-wide.

Bright Day is a global tribute to the transformational powers of play-based learning.

BRIGHT DAY ANNOUNCES DONATION TO SAVE THE CHILDREN!

By Press

BRIGHT DAY ANNOUNCES DONATION TO SAVE THE CHILDREN!

Bright Day Foundation announces it will donate to the SAVE THE CHILDREN Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

The purpose of Bright Day Foundation is to donate its life-changing learning tools, Big Blocks, to poverty-stricken schools across the USA.

However, earlier this month, Laurel Tucker, Co-Founder of Bright Day Big Blocks, and its charitable entity Bright Day Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit announced that during the month of March 2022 Bright Day Foundation will redirect its giving efforts by donating a portion of Bright Day Big Blocks March 2022 proceeds to SAVE THE CHILDREN.

Laurel Tucker says, “We know the frightening news we hear and the pictures we see each day do not come close to capturing the scale of the tragedy the Ukrainian families are experiencing at this very moment.  It is up to those that can help, to help, making every attempt to keep the families and children as safe as possible during this horrific period.  We vow to do our part, as much as we can, by redirecting our giving toward SAVE THE CHILDREN and their Ukrainian Relief Fund.”

SAVE THE CHILDREN believes every child deserves the opportunity to learn and be protected from harm.

They report at this very moment there are 8 million Ukrainian children in grave physical and emotional danger.  SAVE THE CHILDREN works in the hardest to reach places, where it’s toughest to be a child – and is delivering food, clothing, organizing shelter for families – and more.

If you would like to know more about the work of SAVE THE CHILDREN and their Ukrainian Crisis Relief Fund visit their website at www.savethechildren.org

If you would like to connect with Bright Day Big Blocks + Bright Day Foundation email  contact@brightdayfoundation.org – or call 818-914-6541.

BIG FOAM BLOCKS!

By Press

BIG FOAM BLOCKS!

Amazing to think about the simplicity of the Bright Day Big Block idea!

For years, decades, and centuries blocks have been a staple of children’s play.

Even though the educational toy term, blocks wasn’t coined until the early 1800’s children were collecting, stacking, and building with brick-like objects far back into recorded history.  “Playing with stackable, buildable objects always unlocks a child’s curiosity, enables creativity and self-expression, collaboration and communication, always builds confidence – and more”, says Laurel Tucker, Co-Founder at Bright Day Big Blocks.

For close to a century the most children’s popular blocks were made of wood, but in the 1930’s foam blocks gained popularity – more shapes and more colors.  In the early 2000’s Bright Day Big Blocks began thinking about and experimenting with foam blocks and big foam blocks – of all shapes and colors.  Big foam blocks that encouraged block stacking, block connecting, and making about anything children could dream of – from animal and insects to trucks and spaceships – and all else imaginable.

Big foam blocks are now the rage – they memorize a child when seen.  The blocks in their simple shapes invite a child to touch, feel, build, and create dreams.  Once a child engages with Bright Day big foam blocks they “go deep into the creative process, that’s when the true learning magic happens”, continues Laurel Tucker.  “We are the Big Foam Block Company – and every day we think about how to continue to evolve the big block idea to bring more joy and learning to children worldwide.”

Contact us to talk about blocks, and kids, and our philosophy – and anything else that is on your mind.  Engage with us, including our esteemed Advisory Panel – we are all here to help you help your children play and learn.

Website:  www.brightdaybigblocks.com

Email:  contact@brightdaybigblocks.com

Phone:  01-818-914-6541

Visit us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube 

NEW Referral Reward Program – We’re Helping Our Community Get Their Blocks!

By Press

The number one question from our Community to Bright Day Big Blocks usually is – “how can I get a set of Big Blocks for free?” Now, it’s not that folks expect free blocks – they are just asking about all the possibilities – such as securing Grants, or staging Fundraisers, etc. Well, when our Community speaks, we listen, and come to the rescue! We are pleased to introduce our newest program, what we call Referral Reward.

Referral Reward is both simple to understand and execute. If a school or organization wants to get that free set of Big Blocks – they simply find 4 other organizations in their network, get all 5 to order a Big Block set and 1 set is completely FREE of charge.

“This program provides yet another way for schools and organizations to plan for a free set of our Big Blocks, says Laurel Tucker, Co-Founder of Bright Day Big Blocks. Schools depend on Grants, and Fundraisers, and now they can depend on our Referral Reward program.”

This program was tested by our South Korean Distributor, and it was and is a gigantic success. “Free is a compelling proposition, and our Big Blocks are a beloved product. Combining the ideas of working inside a network to earn a free set of Big Blocks has created a super-powerful response,” continues Laurel.

A great example of how such a program works comes from Adelaide, Australia. A city park was interested in buying a Big Block set, but before they did they canvassed the other park Managers in the city – and low and behold, the total order was for several Big Block sets. That’s a perfect way to leverage the benefit of free Big Blocks via Referral Reward, says Laurel. “We filled a shipping container with Big Block sets for Adelaide, what fun! Anyone that would like help or more information on participating in the Bright Day Referral Reward program please reach out to us via email at contact@brightdaybigblocks.com or call our office at 818-914-6541. Bright Day is always here to help you help your children Play + Learn.

Bright Day Big Blocks Launches Preschool Classroom Curriculum

By Press

Company Helping Build Today’s Modern Classroom by Supporting Play, Theme, and Project-Based Learning

Today Bright Day Big Blocks and its not-for-profit Bright Day Foundation launches its play, theme and project-based curriculum, developed to help preschool and kindergarten teachers stimulate that inborn curiosity children possess, getting them to engage more, collaborate more, discover more, and develop that natural love for learning.

Across the globe classrooms that serve the development of children 2 to 6 years old are rapidly growing in numbers, and are projected to continue to grow over the next decade. This growth is attributable to communities being more aware of the developmental advantages of early learning, and government willingness to fund the expansion of preschools and kindergartens. Over the last decade, the quality of programs offered in these classrooms has improved, but it is generally believed by educators that more can be done to better stimulate the brains and bodies of young children.

Over the last 18 months, Bright Day has worked with its global partners in Asia, in Europe and across the USA to develop preschool curriculum that is play-based, theme-based, and project-based in its approach. Bright Day coined the term Modern Classroom to describe the learning environment this new style curriculum creates.

“The most natural activity for a child is play,” says Laurel Tucker, Co-Founder, Chief Executive of Bright Day Big Blocks. “While a child is at play they encounter so many learning situations and opportunities. Experts contend children are exposed to the entire world through their play – building vocabulary through communication, creativity through exploration, problem-solving through experimentation. Also, as children play they build dexterity and strength. Play fully builds the social, and emotional aspects, as well as the brain and body of every child,” she continues.

The Bright Day Classroom Curriculum combined the philosophies of pioneers in early childhood education – Maria Montessori, John Dewey, Rudolf Steiner, Loris Malaguzzi, and others. In their day, these experts supported a child-focused, play-based learning approach possessing play themes, as well as taking on the scope of longer-term, collaborative projects as the best way for a child to develop, and ultimately embrace a desire to learn.

Bright Day’s Co-Founder and its Foundation Executive Director, David Krishock says. “we believe any preschool or kindergarten can adopt our Modern Classroom practices. Our play, theme and project-based curriculum provides teachers with an easy to understand and follow blueprint – featuring philosophy and practice, as well as process and a step-by-step approach to launching this in any school or related organization. We are using every ounce of our energy to make it easy for schools to adopt a better way for children to learn – we 100% wholeheartedly believe play is the way forward,” he states.

Bright Day Foundation and Bright Day Big Blocks want all early childhood organizations to know that the curriculum is 100% free to all teachers and schools – and also there is an open invitation to participate. “once you create, you must evolve,” says Laurel Tucker. She continues, “We welcome input from progressive institutions and certified educators who desire to help build this Modern Classroom through play, theme, and project-based approaches.” Submissions including opinions, ideas, and addendum’s can be submitted to:

Bright Day Big Blocks Classroom Curriculum

P.O. Box 8039

Los Angeles, CA 91372

To obtain a copy of Bright Day Big Block Classroom Curriculum visit www.brightdaybigblocks.com and follow the prompts to a downloadable version.

More Blocks More Fun

Bright Day Foundation Launches Its First Giving Campaign

By Press

More Blocks More Fun

Earlier this year, Bright Day Foundation launched itself and its 2020 Giving Campaign by focusing gifts to Children’s Museums throughout the United States of America. This campaign, titled More Blocks More Fun, resulted in gifting close to 100 Medium Block Kits with a value of over $35,000 USD.

David Krishock, Bright Day Co-Founder, and head of the Bright Day Foundation said, “it’s not so much the value of the gift – but rather how many children we have helped through this effort. We estimate these gifted Blocks have touched close to 100,000 children thus far, as well as their parents and relatives.

Nothing better than helping children play – because when they play, they not only have fun – they learn and grow.”

Planning for this initiative began in 2019 when members of the Association of Children’s Museum members were contacted by Bright Day Big Blocks and asked if they would be interested in a donation of the kid-favorite Medium Block Kit. “The promise made – it’s a gift from the heart, no strings attached. The response from many ACM members was – how soon can we get these Blocks – and the program was off and running,” says Krishock.

The scope of the program was large – “I believe it covered locations from coast to coast – from Vermont to California and every state in between. At Bright Day Foundation we realized we touched Children’s Museums doing good work in rural areas, in areas serving those economically disadvantaged, and even on-the-go mobile play centers. We were humbled working with children’s museums that put so much effort into serving their community and helping young children find joy in playing. The Association of Children’s Museums is a great organization with amazing members – we are proud to be a partner with them,” says Krishock.

Bright Day Foundation is working on its next gifting program, TitleOneDerful ™ – a program designed to reach the more than 45,000 Title 1 elementary schools in the United States. Details of this exciting program will be announced this June.

To learn more about Bright Day Foundation and Bright Day Big Blocks visit website www.brightdaybigblocks.com or www.brightdayfoundation.org