![]() These types of blocks can be used as a powerful learning tool and help children to develop their: However, I feel it is very important for children’s developing skills and learning that we continue to provide the brightly coloured interlocking blocks made out of plastic as they offer endless learning opportunities for our children and there really is a place for these within our nurseries. Our construction areas and play often relies heavily on the use of wooden blocks, also called "building blocks," that are solid shapes that stack on top of each other. This often means reducing over stimulating colours, noises and reducing the number of plastic toys in the nurseries. My role is to work with our team to bring this passion and vision to life by ensuring we have welcoming spaces that offer active learning opportunities to our children using real items and experiences. Through examples and images, the authors demonstrate the teaching and learning possibilities that block play supports.We are passionate about creating environments full of resources that create awe and wonder for our children. The authors urge early childhood educators to introduce or reintroduce blocks because they are an ideal material for young children. The articles in the March 2015 cluster highlight the many benefits of block play, from infancy through the primary grades. And constructing “creations” builds selfesteem and feelings of success. ![]() Blocks enhance children’s problem-solving abilities, mathematics skills, and language and literacy abilities. Block play requires fine and gross motor skills. Blocks help children learn to take turns and share materials, develop new friendships, become self-reliant, increase attention span, cooperate with others, and develop self-esteem.- Kathleen Harrisĭevelopment in all areas. Children discover that they have ideas and that they can bring their ideas to life by creating, transforming, demolishing, and re-creating something unique.-Holly Bohart Blocks offer opportunities to test hypotheses and build scientific reasoning.-Gayle Mindes Blocks and other loose parts can be moved freely by children, to be combined and recombined in countless ways.-Angela Eckhoff Block play engages spatial sense and motor abilities it can be a solo or a group effort block creations can stand for an indefinite period of time.-Lawrence BalterĬreativity. Important concepts and skills are practiced and strengthened through block play, including length, measurement, comparison, number, estimation, symmetry, balance.-Kristen KempleĬontinuity and permanence. Blocks offer many ways for young dual language learners to explore, express themselves, and demonstrate what they are learning across languages.- Karen Nemeth Children can follow their own plan, or they can share a friend’s vision and work together to create something they never dreamed of.-Karen Cairone ![]() How do I do that?” Other times it is in-themoment: “To go higher and add to one side, what can I use?”-Peter Pizzolongo Sometimes it is intentional: “I want to build X. I canvassed NAEYC staff and Young Children consulting editors to ask, “What do you think children learn through block play?” Here are some responses: Many early childhood educators, myself included, believe that every classroom should have a full set of unit blocks, assorted props tied to children’s current interests and experiences, open storage shelves, and plenty of space and time to build and rebuild invented and familiar structures.
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