Building Brains: How CONNETIX Supports Cognitive Development in Kids
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If you caught my previous post on using CONNETIX tiles to teach kids self-advocacy (the one where we discovered how high-stakes tile politics can teach big social lessons), you already know I’m a big believer in learning through play. Especially play that’s colourful, clicky and comes with a level of challenge or overcoming obstacles.
In this article, we’re taking a deep dive into cognitive skills – what they are, why they matter and how your humble box of CONNETIX is actually a low-key cognitive gym for little brains in development.
Let’s build some brains (and towers and rocket ships)
What Are Cognition Skills, Anyway?
Cognition is basically how the brain thinks. These skills help children process information, make sense of the world and problem-solve their way through daily challenges like “How do I build a house without my sibling collapsing it?” or “Can I stack these ten tiles into a leaning tower without physics intervening?”
Cognitive skills include:
These skills form the foundation for learning, emotional regulation and social interaction, basically the whole MESH trifecta: Mental, Emotional and Social Health.
Cognition Play Prompts Checklist
Parent-Friendly Vocabulary for Cognitive Growth
Emily Hanlon, otherwise known as The Playful Psychologist, is a Clinical Psychologist from Sydney. She is also the proud mum of 4- and 1-year old boys, and is expecting her third baby this year. Emily has a specific interest in autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay. She has experience providing individual and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of presentations including ASD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mood-related disorders, anxiety, poor social skills, and other behavioural concerns. Emily draws on her own personal experiences of having a brother on the Autism Spectrum, and uses her unique first-hand experience, to facilitate her own therapeutic practice. Emily started The Playful Psychologist to share her love of creativity within her work. She enjoys sharing her ideas, and also loves learning from others! As a psychology student, and a young psychologist, she always wished she had somewhere to turn for inspiration - and that is what she hopes to do for educators, parents, and psychologists alike! Emily is extremely proud of the online community she has created to support the social and emotional development of children by upskilling the adults who support them.
Why Magnetic Tiles Are a Cognitive Goldmine
Now, let’s be clear. CONNETIX tiles weren’t designed as a brain training tool. But as any parent who’s watched their toddler silently plan an architectural masterpiece can tell you, they’re doing more than just playing.
When children build, knock down, rebuild and tweak their designs, they’re developing:
And the best part? They don’t even realise they’re learning. You won’t hear “I’m enhancing my cognitive flexibility, Mum!” But you will hear “WAIT, I know how to fix it!”
Play Ideas That Boost Cognitive Development (With Zero Worksheets)
Let’s break it down with some real-world, fun-first play ideas that sneak in serious brain-building power.
1. Memory Builders
Play Idea: “What’s Missing?”
Language to use:
2. Planning and Flexible Thinking
Play Idea: “Blueprint Boss”
Language to use:
3. Cause and Effect Crash Course
Play Idea: “Domino Towers”
Language to use:
This helps children build reasoning skills and explore cause and effect in real-time (and with dramatic sound effects).
4. Problem-Solving Play
Play Idea: “Fix-It Challenge”
Language to use:
5. Focused Attention & Working Memory
Play Idea: “Copy Me”
Language to use:
Making It MESH: Why Cognition Supports Mental, Emotional & Social Health
Here’s the beautiful link between cognitive development and the bigger picture of MESH:
In short: cognitive development isn’t just about future academic success. It’s about helping your child feel ready to take on their world, emotionally and socially too.
What Can Parents Do Next?
Here’s your action plan (don’t worry, no charts or behaviour tokens required):
And Remember, The Brain Is a Muscle. CONNETIX Is a Gym.
Your child doesn’t need a workbook, a formal lesson, or a PhD-level puzzle set. They just need time, space and the freedom to explore.
So next time you pull out the CONNETIX box, remember:
That colourful chaos on your lounge room floor? It’s cognitive gold.
And you, dear parent, are supporting mental, emotional and social growth, one wobbly tower at a time.
Use these playful set-ups to strengthen cognitive skills. No worksheets, no lectures, just clever play.
“What’s Missing?”
→ Build a small structure, change or remove a tile, and have your child guess what’s different.
Cognition focus: working memory, visual attention
“Blueprint Boss”
→ Ask your child to draw or describe a plan before building, then follow it together.
Cognition focus: planning, executive functioning, flexible thinking
“Domino Towers”
→ Build a line of standing tiles and experiment with spacing, height and angles.
Cognition focus: cause and effect, problem-solving
“Fix-It Challenge”
→ Create an unstable structure and encourage your child to make it more stable.
Cognition focus: reasoning, trial and error
“Copy Me”
→ Build a shape or tower and challenge your child to recreate it from memory.
Cognition focus: attention, working memory, spatial skills
“Design Detective”
→ Show a finished build and ask: “How do you think this was made?”
Cognition focus: logical sequencing, analytical thinking
“Mystery Build”
→ Choose 5 random tiles and challenge your child to create something with just those.
Cognition focus: creativity, divergent thinking, flexibility
Use these phrases while playing to stretch your child’s thinking (and give your feedback a brainy upgrade).
Problem-Solving & Reasoning
Memory & Focus
Flexible Thinking
Planning & Sequencing
Celebrating the Process
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