Toddler walking aid blocks

Abstract

A method of teaching a child to walk is disclosed in which blocks are placed on a supporting surface at a distance apart. The child stands is encouraged to walk between the blocks. One type of block is a box defining a storage compartment including a top wall, a plurality of side walls, and a bottom wall. A layer of padding is provided on the top wall and the plurality of side walls, and a weight member is disposed adjacent the bottom wall. Another type of block is a body of foam including a top surface, a plurality of side surfaces and a bottom surface. A weight member disposed adjacent the bottom surface. With either type of block, a removable cover is provided to receive and enclose the block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of teaching a child to walk comprising:
 placing a first apparatus having at least a first padded surface on a supporting surface;   placing a second apparatus having at least a second padded surface on the supporting surface at a first distance from the first apparatus;   placing the child in a standing position with the child touching one of the first or second apparatus;   encouraging the child to walk to the other one of the first or second apparatus until the child walks from one apparatus to the other;   replacing the second apparatus on the supporting surface at a second distance from the first apparatus that is greater than the first distance;   placing the child in a standing position with the child touching one of the first or second apparatus after replacing the second apparatus on the supporting surface; and   encouraging the child to walk to the other one of the first or second apparatus until the child walks from one apparatus to the other that is at the second distance from the first apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include a hollow box having a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein the first and second padded surfaces are attached to the top surface and the plurality of side surfaces, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the top surface is part of a lid that is connected by a hinge to one of the side surfaces to be openable to provide access inside the hollow box. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include a cover formed of a flexible fabric that encloses a bottom surface, the top surface, and the plurality of side surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first and the second apparatus each include a weight member in a bottom portion of the box. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the weight member further comprises:
 at least one container for a weight medium having a combined weight greater than the weight of the hollow box. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first apparatus and the second apparatus are each foam apparatus that each include a weight member in a bottom portion of the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the foam apparatus is a block that defines at least one recess and further comprises:
 at least one container for a weight medium having a density greater than the density of the foam block. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the weight medium is a quantity of beans and the container is a bag. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a box including a top wall, a plurality of side walls and a bottom wall, wherein the top wall is pivotally attached to one of the side walls;   a layer of padding provided on the top wall and the plurality of side walls;   a weight member disposed adjacent the bottom wall wherein the weight member weighs more than a combination of the box and the layer of padding; and   a flexible cover defining a recess adapted to receive and enclose the box.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the top wall is pivotally attached to one sidewall with a hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the weight member further comprises:
 at least one container for a weight medium having a density greater than the density of the density of the combination of the box and the layer of padding. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the pellet weight medium is a quantity of beans and the container is a bag. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the apparatus is a first apparatus and a second apparatus that each include the box, the layer of padding, the weight member, and the flexible cover, and wherein the first apparatus and the second apparatus are adapted to be placed on a supporting surface at a distance from each other, the first apparatus and the second apparatus are adapted to be used in combination by placing the second apparatus at a first distance from the first apparatus;
 placing a child in a standing position with the child touching one of the first or second apparatus, and encouraging the child to walk to the other one of the first or second apparatus until the child walks from one apparatus to the other; and 
 repositioning one of the apparatus at a different distance from the other apparatus; 
 placing the child in a standing position with the child touching one of the first or second apparatus; and 
 encouraging the child to walk to the other one of the first or second apparatus until the child walks from one apparatus to the other that is at a different distance from the first apparatus. 
 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a block of foam including a top surface, a plurality of side surfaces and a bottom surface;   a weight member disposed adjacent the bottom surface, wherein the weight member weighs more than the block of foam; and   a cover adapted to receive and enclose the block of foam, wherein a space is provided between the cover and a bottom surface of the foam block that receives the weight member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the block of foam defines at least one recess in the bottom surface that is adapted to receive the weight member. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the weight member further comprises:
 at least one container for a weight medium that in combination weigh more than the combination of the box and the layer of padding. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the weight medium is a quantity of beans and the container is a bag. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the apparatus is a first apparatus and a second apparatus that each include the box, the layer of padding, the weight member, and the flexible cover, and wherein the first apparatus and the second apparatus are adapted to be placed on a supporting surface at a distance from each other, the first apparatus and the second apparatus are adapted to be used in combination by placing the second apparatus at a first distance from the first apparatus;
 placing a child in a standing position with the child touching one of the first or second apparatus, and encouraging the child to walk to the other one of the first or second apparatus until the child walks from one apparatus to the other; and 
 repositioning one of the apparatus at a different distance from the other apparatus; 
 placing the child in a standing position with the child touching one of the first or second apparatus; and 
 encouraging the child to walk to the other one of the first or second apparatus until the child walks from one apparatus to the other that is at a different distance from the first apparatus. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the top surface is smaller than the bottom surface and the side walls extend between the top surface and the bottom surface and converge from the bottom surface to the top surface.