Erector-like sets have a tremendous educational value. They help
to gain spatial understanding and to learn by experimenting
about strength and stability of constructions. Many of the
people we know with a mechanical mind set, able to design and
construct objects and machines have learned this by play with an
erector set. It is obvious that having the chance to play with
Meccano in one's youth helps a lot in solving technical problems
when older. A drawback of the Meccano or Lego construction parts
is the scale. What can be constructed with it is never more then
a model of something that is normally larger in scale. If what
can be constructed has a size and a sturdiness, in which it can
perform a realistic function as a hut or a cart, it may help to
develop a childs ability to take initiative. This would also
integrate playing with construction materials in other games in
which a child is involved with mates. Thin, straight sticks are
interconnected when they are stuck into holes drilled into
blocks and faste