Block Play

Did you notice who was on the parent board this month? We were! Photos of many of our children were displayed to reflect what children learn through block play. Did you know that block play engages all areas of development during just one play event?

Social Studies~

• people and their work
• interdependence of people

Language Arts~

• symbolic representation
• signs
• labeling
• questions
• planning
• naming
• exchange of ideas
• stories
• oral language
• vocabulary

Mathematics~

• size
• space
• shape
• symmetry
• order
• number
• fractions
• length
• height
• width
• depth
• area
• volume
• classification
• measurement
• problem solving
• one-to-one correspondence
• patterns
• physical representations of addition and subtraction

Science~

• gravity
• stability
• weight
• balance
• systems
• trial and error
• inductive thinking
• discovery
• properties of matter
• interaction of forces
• cause and effect

Art~

• patterns
• symmetry
• balance
• creative and critical thinking

Physical Development~

• hand manipulation
• eye-hand coordination
• visual perception

Social/Emotional~

• cooperation and collaboration
• respect for the work of others
• self-confidence
• autonomy
• initiative
• decision making
• responsibility

Now that you've read through the areas of development, look back at the photos and try to find examples where the children were exploring symmetry, balance, length, story, et cetera. The next time you see the children 'playing' with blocks, take a second look...The planning, interactions, & dialogue that take place among the children is quite thoughtful!