What is Tetrakys?
Tetrakys is a construction material which children manipulate, build, analyze and deconstruct geometric forms and shapes, intuitively and under an evolving process, children build tetrahedron up to dodecahedron with internal structure, which is the archetype of the universe.
This way, children form their intuition and settle abilities and intellectual aptitudes through heuristic searches and logic. These abilities are fundamental for their later development.
Neural interconnection, the so-called intelligence and real learning, which is not forgotten, is developed through experience. Children can develop and push diverse basic intellectual abilities with the experimentation done when building with Tetrakys. Nevertheless, adults can as well facilitate other experiences by proposing games and challenges.
Tetrakys is a creative and expansive toy. The creative part comes from its multiple possibilities and not being reduced to predetermined models. The expansive part comes is because children participate in games and logical challenges individually and in groups. In those games and challenges children express their intuitive knowledge of geometry and arithmetic, apply their notions of areas and volumes, fractional numbers, Pythagoras’s theorem, notable identities, algorithms, addition, subtraction, multiplication and build binary codes.
The most sensible period in neural development is from zero to six years and the ideal age to give the child contact with Tetrakys is from three to six years. With this toy children develop their intelligence in a playful way and under a creative effort favoring thus internal motivation and discovery.
Tetrakys also can be used as didactic material to consolidate the early concepts and notions of some of the educational contents in school maths. Without the pretensions of intelligence developing, children should be able to capitalize on constructive learning based on games, respect for evolution of each child and facilitation of comprehension through color and manipulation of materials.
The material is composed by four A3 sheets each in one basic color: yellow, green, blue and red. There are 80 equilateral triangles, isosceles and scalene that contain 72 hoops, 208 pieces with internal buttons, 80 pieces that represent fractional numbers and 176 smaller triangles. It is made of eva foam. Eva foam is an innocuous and inoffensive material for the child and the environment that fulfils international law UNIEN 71-2 and 71-3.
To add up, while playing with Tetrakys children can ‘feel’ geometry, they ‘touch’ mathematics, under the philosophy of educative game they build up their knowledge, and rediscover theorems and mathematical algorithms making all those their own.
Other recommendations and possibilities that Tetrakys' material offers
Hygienic use
The pieces of CAN BE WASHED easily, only it is necessary to introduce the pieces in a bag of permeable fabric or plastic net and to put it in the washer with a short program using cold water.
Ludic use
Tetrakys' pieces ADHERE IN SMOOTH SURFACES WHEN WET, therefore it is possible to play with them in the tub, swimming pool, etc.
Children, beside constructing figures and playing to the indicated games, can elaborate other figures and original forms. As this form Tetrakys' material can be used as ACCESSORY FOR THE SYMBOLIC GAME, as for example the creation of tents, houses, fences, etc.
Didactic use
Teachers can use blackboards or other smooth surfaces of the classroom to exemplify using wet pieces of Tetrakys.
Both for parents and for teachers who want to become facilitators in the games and challenges WE SUGGEST that should have some pieces of the material for own use, in order to not waste time looking for and preparing the necessary pieces for the introduction to a game or challenge to a child. Those pieces can come from additional Tetrakys’ material or even be cardboard made.
Tetrakys goal
Is that all the children in the world have the chance to learn and comprehend mathematics playing.
Tetrakys manufacture
Tetrakys is being manufactured for a starter in Spain. It will never be manufactured in those countries in which children and adults are being enslaved and exploited in order to get a cheaper product.
Directed the possible competitors of Tetrakys
Tetrakys is not created for profits. Therefore, those possible manufacturers who try to copy Tetrakys' material, they must bear in mind that with it they would be depriving the children of the most disadvantaged countries of this educational material. Nevertheless, we are open to new ideas or offers of possible manufacturers, entities and companies related or interested in education, if it contributes to a major expansion and acceptance of Tetrakys' philosophy in the educational world.
