10 Simple Ideas to Enhance Block Play !!

Blocks are an important part of all Early Childhood classrooms and are also an important educational toy to have at home. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours and children of all ages love to build, create and play with them.

Playing with blocks provides excellent learning opportunities for children from problem solving,

language and social skills, maths skills and creativity to name just a few.

As a teacher, I change the materials to enhance the block play frequently depending on the childrens interests, topic or season.

Some of the materials I like to add to the block area include....

1. Cardboard cylinders and boxes

2. Natural materials-rocks, nuts, twigs, branches

3. Paper, cardboard, foil, cellophane 

4. Measuring tapes and rulers

5. Mirrors

6. Material, artificial grass, rugs and artificial flowers

7. Dinosaurs and animals

8. People

9. Cars, signs, traffic lights and trains

10. Pop sticks, pipe cleaners, wool and string

    

I love watching the children play and interact in the block area and observing all of the positive learning experiences that evolve. If you have any creative block ideas I would love to hear them!!