Block building centers are essential to the preschool classroom.  Blocks are an open ended material that stimulates the imagination and opens doors for a variety of discovery.  One day a block may be a phone, the next day it might be a bus or part of a building.  Let’s explore blocks across the curriculum.

As the school year progresses so does the children’s ability to build more complex block structures based on the mathematical concepts that are inherently learning while playing.  Children learn many math skills in the block building center.  Height, width, depth, weight, shape, size, space and dimension are some of the mathematical concepts children can begin to understand while playing with blocks.  Classification and order are two more areas that children will naturally explore and learn as they manipulate blocks.  Math goes hand in hand with block building as children can also experiment with fractions, measurement, patterns and grids.   Let’s add some rulers and cloth tape measures to the block area.

Children learn language and social skills while exchanging ideas and cooperating, planning for building and cleaning.  Respect for the work of others and self control is an area of learning in the block area that is often challenging as it is so much fun to knock blocks over!  Children learn to observe and follow safety rules.  Children often choose to act out a favorite story like “The Three Little Pigs” where they can build three houses and tell their own version of the story. Paper, writing instruments and clipboards in the block area encourage writing for a purpose when making signs. Add some books with good architectural photos of buildings and bridges and watch what happens.

The block area can be used to promote social studies as children learn about people and their work. Block building encourages mapping skills. How about adding blocks with photos of the children and other people that they are familiar with?

In the area of art, patterns, symmetry, and shape are common concepts children learn while playing blocks. Adding blocks with colored inserts adds another dimension to block building as art. Patterning cards, shells and polished stones and let creativity abound.

Science in the block area involves much trial and error. Young children get a firsthand look at gravity, stability, balance, and the interaction of force. The properties of matter can also be discovered in this play area. How about adding paper towel tubes and small balls?

Physical development. Eye-hand coordination, hand manipulation, and visual perception can be achieved through block building. Remember clean up time can help develop some of these physical skills as well. Additionally, cleaning up teaches young children respect.

Dramatic play, During block play children can build pretend play dioramas and act out roles. Add some cars, trees, road signs, road mats, people, garages, boxes, trucks, and trains and train tracks. Or add doll house, dolls and furniture, fabric pieces, plastic mirrors and carpet squares. You might add trees, animals, plastic bugs or boats. Add small stones, shells, pinecones or acorns and watch your child create.

How about adding dress up outfits, hats and plastic bowls and dishes?

Can you think of anything else you can use to enhance block play?

At home: If you do not access to blocks, boxes can stand in. Add a clipboard, paper and crayons for signs. Your child can create buildings and roads and then make signs to go with what they have created.

Have fun!