Child's Educational Blanket
The invention is directed to an interactive educational blanket for newborn children, children aged 6 to 24 months, and children 2 to 7 years of age, comprised of fabric body which has been prepared from two separate high quality pieces of fabric, preferably fleece, minky, stretch cottons, including organic fibers such as cotton and other washable fabrics sewn together at the outer edges filled with batting material for extra interior padding. The blanket further includes, on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, thus, providing the child with a variety of visual and sensory representation in each panel. The opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric, which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/241,077, filed Sep. 10, 2009, the substance of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a child's interactive learning blanket and more specifically to a blanket intended to train and educate children through the early stages of child development. The blanket's educational portion is based on Piaget's sensori motor theory. The blanket and each of its sensory learning sections is designed to stimulate and teach early reflexes, object permanence, perception, motor and mechanical skills, letter, number and color recognition and memory. The 46 inch by 46 inch blanket is provided in 3 stages and serves as an early learning tool for caregivers while being a stimulating and comforting blanket for children ranging from 0 to 7 years of age.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONEarly educational development of children by their parents and caregivers is an important aspect in improving a child's abilities in adapting to the learning environments of preschool and elementary school. Early educational intervention yields a greater likelihood that children will succeed in achieving fundamentals such as reading and arithmetic at earlier ages. It is also well known that children often form strong attachments to certain childhood objects such as blankets. In early years, such children spend a large percentage of their waking hours keeping in their presence blankets that convey a sense of security and in these cases, it is beneficial to provide children with a blanket from which they may begin the process of learning fundamentals such as letter and number characterization, hand/eye coordination, simple mechanics as well as other useful childhood skills.
Early educational intervention also means screening children for Autism and looking for gaps in the child's cognitive growth. As of September 2009, 291,026 children were diagnosed with autism in the United States. The present invention allows parents to provide such children with earlier intervention and increases the likelihood that such children will receive proper treatment, education, care, and tools as early in their childhood development as possible. Working and educating Down-Syndrome and autistic children with a proper sensory environment and equipment is proven to help them adapt to their world successfully. The San Jose State University, Communications Department, Autism Group is an example of a treatment program that specializes in equipment and care where the present invention may be employed as an instructional tool and utilized in the treatment and education of Autistic and Down-Syndrome impacted children.
Childhood studies have previously shown that during medical treatment, in the absence of parents, a child is less likely to be overly stressed during the course of the treatment if in possession of a familiar blanket or other similarly familiar object. Although such blankets are functional in providing security, as well as in bedding, napping, and strolling in the stroller, it is also useful for a parent or caregiver to provide a blanket that is appropriately proportioned so the child can easily transport it. It is also useful to provide caregivers a child blanket that is easily folded for the child's use during periods of travel. The caregiver will also realize advantages in the present invention from the transportability of the blanket and in having the ability to teach the child while in a waiting room for example, or in letting the child teach and/or sooth himself in the car on the way home and then quickly reversing it for naptime. Several blankets have been the object of several patents over the years and have sought to provide various types of stimulation for young children.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,285 to Troncone et al., discloses a dual-layer blanket prepared from two sheets of different fabrics connected only about their common peripheries, so that the interior areas of the sheets can slide over one another. This sliding effect, with appropriately chosen fabrics, purportedly simulates the tactile response of the amnion lining and amniotic fluid experienced by a fetus in utero. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,565 to Metcalf relates to a standard blanket that is provided with a plurality of “attractors” which are differently-patterned patches sewn onto the center areas of the blanket.
The attractors are attached to the blanket only via no more than two edges, so that they can be slightly lifted off the surface of the blanket. Although the attractors may provide some degree of stimulation via their differentially designed patterns, the design is disadvantageous in that the attractors cannot be very securely sewn onto the body of the blanket, making the blanket less than ideal for use with small children. More specifically, it is generally difficult to provide a secure stitching connection to the center of a fabric sheet, and it is nearly impossible to do so without leaving the stitching partially exposed. Further, having a number of patches all over the surface of the blanket renders it less comfortable for the child when sleeping.
Other blankets on the market contain actual toys or stuffed animals sewn onto the blanket, which makes the blanket bulky and therefore not as comfortable for the child. One such blanket is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,934 to Bachnick et al. Another commonly available security blanket is called a Lovey™. This product is a stuffed animal head which has a plain blanket with a satin bottom edge attached. The animal head acts as a toy, but has no other developmental, stimulation or interactive features. Accordingly, its usefulness in educating children is limited.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,265 describes security blankets that provide a comforting, stimulating experience for young children, specifically, prepared by sewing two sheets of polyester fleece together. The front piece is preferably a colorful children's pattern or design, while the back is a complimentary solid color. The blanket also contains several a plurality of spaced-apart ribbon loops or “tags” which are attached at the four edges of the blanket body and which extend radially outward. Although visually stimulatory, this blanket is suited only for very young children, is unisex and is not directed to educating a child with regard to letter and number recognition or other fundamental skills necessary to prepare a child for the preschool or elementary environment.
It is therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an interactive and educational blanket that is easily portable, durable and which satisfactorily serves as a functional blanket for the child's sleeping and napping comfort. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a blanket that includes features, specifically for boys and girls, in which the child can interact so as to receive sensory and developmental stimulation at various age levels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONSpecifically, the present invention provides an interactive educational blanket for newborn children, children aged 6 to 24 months, and children 2 to 7 years of age, comprised of fabric body which has been prepared from two separate high quality pieces of fabric, sewn together at the outer edges filled with batting material. The blanket further includes, on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, thus, providing the child with a variety of visual and sensory representation in each panel. The opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric, which provides comfort to the child when sleeping, strolling or holding the blanket.
The invention relates to a children's educational blanket which is be provided to children based specifically on age group and in older children, based on whether they are male or female, in order to provide supplemental educational benefits and sensory stimulation.
Specifically, the present invention provides an interactive educational blanket for newborn children composed of a fabric body such as for example organic cotton, which has been prepared from two separate pieces sewn together at the outer edges, filled with batting material for extra interior padding, the blanket further is composed, on one side of the blanket, four panels or sensory sections, containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, wherein, each panel contains a different visual and sensory representation. The opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, washable and durable fabric which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blanket measures 46 inches by 46 inches however, the scope of the present invention encompasses any appropriate size as will be known in the art, including 36 inches by 36 inches, 35 inches by 35 inches, 34 inches by 34 inches, 24 inches by 24 inches, 48 inches by 48 inches, 56 inches by 56 inches, 60 inches by 60 inches, 72 inches by 72 inches or any within any range thereof. In yet another embodiment, the blanket will be prepared from any appropriate fabric including but not limited to fleece, minky fabric, stretchy cotton, high quality organic cotton or other fabrics filled with batting material for interior padding as are known in the art.
The invention further provides an interactive educational blanket for children aged 6 to 24 months composed of a fabric body which has been prepared from two separate pieces sewn together at the outer edges, the blanket further composed on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate with each panel containing a different visual and sensory representation. The opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
The invention further provides an interactive educational blanket for boys or girls 2 to 7 years of age composed of a fabric body which has been prepared from two separate pieces sewn together at the outer edges, the blanket further composed on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate with each panel containing a different visual and sensory representation. The opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
Materials contemplated herein include the use of organic fabrics such as for example, organic cotton, grown without the use of pesticides or other additives. Proportion of materials used to the present invention include 97% cotton (organic) and 3% Lycra however, as contemplated herein, other appropriate materials and proportions for such materials, are within the scope of the invention. For manufacturing, methods known in the art are employed and include the use of automated machinery to embroider and produce the invention. The scope of the invention also includes hand weaving as well as automated mechanisms to produce the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for an educational blanket directed to newborn children which, in addition to serving as a typical blanket, provides the child with sensory stimulation and character recognition of common animals, various visual shapes and different textures. Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides an educational blanket to children aged 6 to 24 months which, in addition to serving as a typical blanket, assists the child in developing hand to eye coordination and providing visual cues which build the child's experiences.
In yet another embodiment of the invention a child's educational blanket for boys or girls, 2 to 7 years of age is provided which, in addition to serving as a typical blanket, teaches more advanced skills such as tying one's shoe and telling time. The present invention further relates to an educational blanket for teaching children to recognize various objects and textures, using sight and touch and including, but not limited to animals, vegetables, household items and toys, environmental features and the like.
The term “sensory section” as used herein refers to the individual panels which provide specific learning tools for sensory stimulation. For example,
The term “organic”, “organic agriculture” as used herein refers to an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. The terms refer to the minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.
The term “certified organic” as used herein refers an item that has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.
The term “organic fiber”, “organic cotton”, as used herein refers to a fiber or cotton which has been grown under the definitions set forth herein and grown organically as understood in the art and as defined herein.
The term “batting material”, “wadding” as used herein refers to a layer of insulation used in quilting between a top layer of patchwork and a bottom layer of backing material. Batting is usually made of cotton, polyester, and/or wool.
The term “blanket” as used herein refers to bed coverings such as for example quilts and the like and any other blanket-type bed cover as known in the art. Other examples include but are not limited to for example, sheets, pillow cases and the like.
Turning now to the substance of
The panel background 112 may be embroidered in any appropriate material known in the art of blanket making. The numerals in the clock face are English so to educate the child in recognition of numbers. Further,
In a preferred embodiment, the lower left panel 36 of the blanket for boys aged 2 to 7 years depicts an athletic shoe embroidered into the panel. Further, a preferred embodiment includes shoe panel flaps 50, and a shoe lace 113, that allow the child to tie and untie the shoe lace and open the shoe flaps to tighten or loosen the shoe lace. The shoe sole 86 is included and will be a distinctive fabric. The shoe lace will be threaded through holes 87 in the shoe flap and will provide enough string for the child to tie the shoe.
Specifically, the panel illustrates a football 88 with a child safe zipper 57. The football is embroidered into the panel utilizing appropriate materials as known in the art. When the zipper is lowered the inside of the football reveals a view of a grouping of dogs 89 that are embroidered in a variety of textures and colors that are accessible and may be touched by the child.
A preferred embodiment for the educational blanket for girls aged 2 to 7 years is depicted in
The present invention is directed to an interactive educational blanket for newborn children, children aged 6 to 24 months, and children 2 to 7 years of age, comprised of fabric body which has been prepared from two separate high quality pieces of fabric, preferably fleece, minky fabric or high quality organic fibers such as cotton, sewn together at the outer edges filled with batting or wadding material for extra interior padding. The blanket further includes, on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, thus, providing the child with a variety of visual and sensory representation in each panel. The opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric, which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
Advantages of the present invention over that known in the art include the ability to convey information to various age groups to foster educational development in the form of hand to eye coordination, life-long skills such as shoe tying and telling time and the rudimentary skills of letter and number recognition.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the above description, it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.
Claims
1. An interactive educational blanket for newborn children comprising, a fabric body which has been prepared from two separate pieces sewn together at the outer edges, filled with batting material, the blanket further comprising, on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, wherein, each panel contains a different visual and sensory representation and wherein, the opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric, which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
2. The interactive educational blanket of claim 1 further comprising a fabric body which is fleece, minky fabric, stretchy cotton, cotton or organic cotton.
3. The interactive educational blanket of claim 2 wherein the panels are comprised of various colors and fabric textures.
4. The interactive educational blanket of claim 1 wherein the blanket measures 46 inches by 46 inches.
5. The interactive educational blanket of claim 1 wherein, the blanket is produced using 97% cotton and 3% Lycra.
6. The interactive educational blanket of claim 5 wherein, the cotton is grown organically.
7. An interactive educational blanket for children aged 6 to 24 months comprising, a fabric body which has been prepared from two separate pieces sewn together at the outer edges filled with batting material, the blanket further comprising, on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, wherein, each panel contains a different visual and sensory representation and wherein, the opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric, which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
8. The interactive educational blanket of claim 7 further comprising a fabric body which is fleece, minky fabric, stretchy cotton or organic cotton.
9. The interactive educational blanket of claim 7 wherein the panels are comprised of various colors and fabric textures.
10. The interactive educational blanket of claim 7 wherein the blanket measures 46 inches by 46 inches.
11. The interactive educational blanket of claim 7 wherein, the blanket is produced using 97% cotton and 3% Lycra.
12. The interactive educational blanket of claim 11 wherein, the cotton is grown organically.
13. An interactive educational blanket for boys or girls 2 to 7 years of age comprising, a fabric body which has been prepared from two separate pieces sewn together at the outer edges filled with batting material, the blanket further comprising, on one side of the blanket, four panels containing visual and sensory stimulatory characterizations, which the child may view and manipulate, wherein, each panel contains a different visual and sensory representation and wherein, the opposite side of the blanket is comprised of a high quality, durable fabric, which provides comfort to the child when sleeping or holding the blanket.
14. The interactive educational blanket of claim 13 further comprising a fabric body which is fleece, minky fabric, stretchy cotton, cotton or organic cotton.
15. The interactive educational blanket of claim 13 wherein the panels are comprised of various colors and fabric textures.
16. The interactive educational blanket of claim 13 wherein the blanket measures 46 inches by 46 inches.
17. The interactive educational blanket of claim 13 wherein, the blanket is produced using 97% cotton and 3% Lycra.
18. The interactive educational blanket of claim 17 wherein, the cotton is produced organically.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 1, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2011
Inventor: Danielle James (Gilroy, CA)
Application Number: 12/874,208