Developmental Stages of Block Play
Playing with blocks, children acquire a concrete understanding of concepts crucial to logical thinking. As they choose, build, clean up, they learn about sizes, shapes, numbers, order, area, length, and weight. Because blocks are easy to share with others, they also promote social interactions and meaningful conversations.
HOW TO SET UP THE BLOCKS CENTER
Intentionally stocking the block center with carefully selected materials designed to support the development of language, literacy, math, critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills – the block center becomes a powerhouse of learning!
Provide blocks to create roads or train tracks for miniature cars or trains. Cut round boxes in half to create tunnels for them to travel through.
Children stack blocks as tall as they are. How many blocks does it take?
Ask children to write their initials or first name using blocks instead of paper and pencil. Stretch it out across the whole room.
Have children build block homes to fit different-sized stuffed animals.
Create a variety of ramps with blocks. Roll a small ball down the ramps. Which incline makes the ball roll slower? Faster?
Provide blocks of different shapes or colors. Create a pattern for children to repeat, such as square, rectangle, square, rectangle. Or red, blue, red, blue. Ask children to create new patterns for you to repeat.
Place a variety of blocks in the middle of the floor. Encourage children’s observation skills by describing blocksfor them to find. Use characteristics that help children focus on shape, color, or size. Example: “I spy a triangle block. Where is it?”