A child playing with blocks is presented with many opportunities for learning. What some may say "They are just Blocks", others in the know realize that simple blocks of wood, of different shapes and sizes create a massive opportunity of learning for your child.
Wooden blocks especially are naturally appealing to young children because the feel good to touch, are symmetrical, and invite open-ended exploration. When children construct, create, and represent their experiences with blocks, they grow in all areas of of development.
Here are 6 things that you child will learn while playing with blocks:
Literacy
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
The arts
Technology
Literacy: Just get down with your child and discuss the fantastic building they are making. Ask "What are you building". Invite you child to talk about their work. This alone will expand their vocabulary and language
Mathematics: Ask your child "How many blocks are there?" or on tidying up say : just put 3 blocks away at a time. Ask " how many of these smaller blocks are needed to make one long one like this one?". Encourage your child to explore patterns and relationships. point to their construction for example "look at how balanced your fence is. It goes short, tall then short again and just keeps on going". Emphasis concepts about geometry and spatial sense by asking them to organize the blocks by size , teach your child the names of the shapes (Triangle, rectangle square or cylinder. Talk about their block positions relative to the others such as "over, under, next to, below, inside, on top of, through". Get a ruler and help your child to measure their construction or building.
Science: Add plastic animals as props or artificial flowers ton promote "Life Sciences". Provide a balancing scale, mirror and pipes so they can explorevthe physical science. get some rocks or acorns or pine cones to add to there construction. This promotes an understanding of earth science
Social studies: Talk about roads, can they reproduce their neighborhood, provide small figurine people props for the different ranges of jobs people in the neighborhood do such as the mail man or policeman.
Arts: Suggest your child could draw their construction and take it into their school. For drama, why not add hats, purses or other props that may be fun to use.
Technology: Maybe add ramps and wheels to the block area and take about what makes their construction stable. Provide some technology tools such as a camera for them to take a picture of their construction.
Imagination has absolutely no boundaries.
By the way, You can buy some excellent wooden blocks; just google it
Have some fun with your child.
Two proud Lake Mary Childcare children playing with blocks, constructing a "tennis court". (It really doesn't matter what you think it is)
Photographs by kind courtesy of their parents