Block Play – What Else Is Going On?

I lately wrote a weblog write-up entitled “Block Play – What’s Really Going On?” that highlighted Harriet Johnson’s study on the stages of block play. Knowledge of these stages can let educators to collect a lot of information and facts about children’s finding out as effectively as assist them scaffold and assess, but they are just a single tiny piece of what is taking place as young children engage in this play. Thus, I bring you the sequel to my initial write-up as a indicates of addressing what else is going on at the block region.

Most educators’ initial thoughts are that block play is associated to math. Studies do show that block play is basic for later accomplishment in math and that young children who engage in block play will do greater at math.  Block play quickly enables young children to partake in lots of quantity sense activities such as counting blocks and subitizing or recognizing how lots of in a set devoid of counting them. Geometry information and spatial sense are naturally becoming enhanced as young learners experiment with symmetry and discover blocks of numerous shapes in a multitude of configurations. Measurement abilities are utilized as size, volume, region, and weight of blocks are compared. Finally, classification and patterning abilities emerge as blocks are sorted by shape, matched by size, or arranged in patterns.

Another pretty apparent topic region accounted for throughout block play is science. As blocks are explored so are properties of matter as young children interact with distinct colors, shapes, textures, and weights of the supplies they are applying. Children are experimenting with gravity, force, balance, and result in and impact as they make their structures. It is not uncommon for some difficulty-solving and scientific reasoning to come into play as effectively.

Perhaps significantly less apparent throughout block play is the improvement of art abilities. Don’t you need to have to be a small inventive when you construct the world’s finest castle? Experiences with colour, shape, type, and design and style abound. The open-endedness of blocks enables for all types of self-expression, producing block play the unsung hero of artistic improvement.

Physical improvement is also essential in the block region. Many gross and fine motor abilities are honed as young children deal with blocks. Large muscle tissues are strengthened as youngsters squat, bend, attain, and move by means of space to location blocks in their required place. The smaller sized muscle tissues of the hands and fingers advantage from gripping, stacking, and fitting blocks collectively. Increased eye-hand coordination is an further asset to be gained.

The essential abilities of language and literacy are also enhanced by means of interactions at the block area.  Because young children are quite prepared to speak about their block creations, the chance for language improvement readily presents itself. Children can label, name, and describe in a quite all-natural context though becoming in a position to use new vocabulary or maybe invent a story. Reading can take place if books, signs, or labels have been added to the region. Finally, writing can be incorporated by obtaining young children draw or create about what they’ve constructed or by producing indicators or labels to complement their operate. I’m quite specific the need to have may well arise for a “do not touch” or “work in progress” sign!

While the list of establishing abilities is also lengthy for this a single weblog write-up, I will conclude with a final region of finding out that is enhanced throughout block play. Many social and emotional abilities are utilized as young children operate alone or with other people. Everything from producing alternatives, taking initiative, constructing self-self-confidence, and negotiating with other people can be knowledgeable. The multitude of abilities in this domain is just also lengthy to list, but we know they can develop and thrive in this setting.

Therefore, the subsequent time a colleague, parent, or administrator stops by the block region and comments on how the young children are “just playing,” let them know what is truly going on. For the lengthy answer, hand them this write-up, but for the brief answer just inform them, “Everything!”.