Ten Things Children Learn From Block Play | NAEYC
Block play is a valuable activity for young children, offering numerous learning opportunities. Such as problem-solving, imagination, self-expression, creativity, and math concepts.
Through the dramatic play center children learn about themselves and the world. In dramatic play children experience self-expression, their abilities, interest, and exposure to new and familiar language.
The Art Center support children's learning and development. As children draw, paint, and make collages, they are learning about their world (colors, shapes, and sizes of objects). When they use paints, glue, and markers, children are planning, trying out new things, and solving problems. As children mix paints, they learn to understand one thing can make changes in another. Art lets children make choices.
The Art Center in Child Care – eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care
Children naturally love music! Whether it’s soft and soothing or a lively tune, children feel it both physically and emotionally. A music and movement center can help children develop their gross and fine motor skills, improve their balance and coordination, hone their listening skills, and learn about cultures around the world.
Sensory play/Sand and Water play – including play with Styrofoam peanuts, bubbles, beans, dirt, and other materials – is an important part of play. Through this center children learn math concepts, sensory exploration, science concepts, and more. Children use their five senses to explore the world around them.
Literacy centers help ensure that children have access to a variety of books and literacy tools to practice reading and writing and increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills. Reading also sparks children's imaginations and helps them learn about the world around them.
The play in the science center gives children the opportunity to experiment and learn through hands-on science activities. It also helps develop critical thinking skills as they observe, analyze, and draw conclusions based on their observations.
The play during Outdoor time is essential. Children are natural explorers and discoverers, and you can bring whatever interests them back to your early childhood setting for further exploration. Outdoor play also provides a chance to practice social and emotional skills with other children, including problem solving, turn taking, encouragement, self-control, safe risk taking, and following the rules of a game.
Allowing your children to play freely allows them to create a world where they can use their imagination to build or take apart things without restrictions. This way, they will be more creative, surprised at how much they can do.