Blocks are a valuable learning resource providing many opportunities for children to create and express their ideas. Within this play, and with adult support, children explore ideas about maths, science, technology, language, art and develop their thinking skills.
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Within this play, and with adult support, children explore ideas about maths, science, technology, language, art and develop their thinking skills. Through dramatic play with blocks, children can also revisit their understanding about the world they live in. Block play helps children gain confidence in their own abilities and learn to persevere as they work to bring their creations to life – knock it down, build it up again!
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Blocks are an open resource that children can use in so many ways to explore their ideas. Fun learning moments with blocks can lead to children learning about gravity, balance, weight and shape as they work to build their creations. Teachers support children by allowing them to explore at their own pace and supporting them to put their ideas into practice.
Block play enables children to become familiar with science, technology and engineering concepts such as design, gravity, stability, weight, balance, symmetry, friction, force – where does the push, pull or force to stop something come from? Teachers introduce these words informally when they notice the child’s interest.
Maths concepts related to measurement, counting, shape, angles, and patterning is the beginning of knowing about algebra.
Block play supports thinking skills through experiencing trial and error and solving problems related to building what they want. It also helps children learn to plan and ask questions by putting their own ideas into practice – whether it’s a toddler working out how to put one block beside another or an older child making homes for zoo animals.
Our centres have supporting resources, such as wooden people, animals and cars so children can create the imagined scenes they are interested in. Children usually have a story in mind and through this play are developing their thoughts and understanding about the things that happen in their world.
Block play supports children to grow confidence in their own ability, to persevere when solving building challenges and to cooperate as they build with others. Teachers support this by listening and talking to children about what they are doing and helping them sort out problems.
Hand-eye coordination is an important skill practiced through block play.
Blocks | Poro rākau
For older infants and young toddlers, foam or material blocks are a great idea with wooden or plastic animals and people that they can easily manipulate. Children can control their movements and can make decisions about where they put them.
Make your own blocks at home out of different sized boxes. Try filling them with paper and taping them up or cover them with several layers of papier mâché for strength.
Sets of coloured blocks also encourage children to group and order or practice sequencing.
Collect resources that extend the use of the blocks like cars, people, and animals.
Provide your child with pictures of a variety of different buildings to inspire children to build.
Continuing the learning at home
