Romanesque Building Set

Romanesque Building Set

This quality wooden building set is beautifully handcrafted in Germany by GRIMM’S Spiel und Holz.  Each wooden piece is cut and sanded by hand, so there are no sharp edges or corners.  The Romanesque Building Set consists of 62 vibrantly coloured, various shaped wooden blocks in a natural wooden tray measuring approximately 44.5 x 44.5 x 4cm.  An easy and enjoyable failure free activity that will promote self esteem and create a sense of achievement. This is a delightful building set for young and old to enjoy together making this the perfect intergenerational activity.

GRIMM’S puzzles vary in complexity and are designed for experts and afficionados aged 0 – 99.  One puzzle can create many different forms and colour combinations with ease. Completed the puzzle? Why not express your creative side by using the pieces to create patterns and structures of your own.  Puzzles are often used in therapeutic work for both children and adults, promoting creativity and awakening the artistic capabilities within us whilst helping to create a balance for concentrated thought and repetative work.

The blocks are coloured with non-toxic waterbased stains and finished with a natural plant-based oil. You may notice some paint transference on the wood. This is not considered a defect as the blocks are unlacquered. GRIMM’S does not use lacquer in order to preserve the natural feel of the wood, keeping in line with their aim to design toys according to principles of Waldorf and Montessori education, which has also been used in the treatment of people with dementia. Unlacquered blocks are also easier to build with as they are less likely to slip, making them ideal for  people who may have difficulty with dexterity.  GRIMM’S uses mainly alder, lime, maple and cherry wood to craft their puzzles. 

Who Will Benefit from this Activity?

GRIMM’s puzzles can be offered as a form of art therapy, whilst also providing sensory stimulation for people in the later stages of dementia.

Art therapy provides an invaluable contribution to the care of people with dementia, whose language skills have been impaired, by allowing them to express their feelings and increase self-esteem through the language of art. Art therapy may be undertaken through drawings and colourings, through creating collages of magazine images, or through objects of coloured or textured figures and shapes. Engaging in art allows friends and family to connect with their loved one who has dementia, in a non-threatening and failure free way, when the ability to communicate in the traditional manner has been lost.

Our senses connect us with the world around us. A person living with dementia can still obtain enjoyment from pleasant sensations just as they can be disgusted by unpleasant ones. For people with dementia, failing senses can often add to the confusion that he or she may already be feeling, and for this reason, sensory stimulation can play an important role in overall emotional wellbeing, especially in the later stages of the dementia.

The Romanesque BuildingSet is suitable for everyone and will be enjoyed by people in all stages of dementia. The outcome of the activity may vary depending on the person’s ability, however for people with dementia, it is important to remember that when participating in the activity, the focus should not be about the activity itself, but the quality and enjoyment of the interaction. It is the enjoyment of the activity that will contribute to their overall sense of happiness and well-being.

If you need help choosing an appropriate activity for someone affected by dementia, click here to view our guidelines.