Block Play: A teacher's guide
February 17, 2022
How can teachers use the powerful concept of block play to achieve their educational goals with children of all ages?
February 17, 2022
How can teachers use the powerful concept of block play to achieve their educational goals with children of all ages?
The process of learning that occurs while children are playing with blocks is known as Block Play. It is a play with open-ended nature and with no set rules.
During block play, young children can be as constructive or imaginative as they like, which makes block play a versatile and useful childhood learning technique, especially for those in the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage).
Block play was first documented as an early learning strategy during the early 1800s. Nearly 200 years ago, Friedrich Froebel recommended using wooden blocks play to help with child development. Wooden building blocks are easy to play with and they are made of natural materials, which makes them an easy and sustainable means of entertainment for young children.
At Structural Learning, we have developed a methodology that schools are using to design engaging learning experiences. Using our specially designed blocks, teachers are using the tool kit to enhance many aspects of learning.
As well as the developmental benefits that we will outline in this article, we have been focusing on the intellectual benefits of providing a physical scaffold within the learning process. Using these durable materials has enabled both primary and secondary schools to enjoy a host of benefits from a basic block. Within this article, we will explore the benefits of building blocks in classrooms and highlight how this new pedagogy has significant implications for the creative development of children.
There are many benefits of building play for young children and toddlers. Blocks are an excellent way to introduce young children to various concepts. For example, transportation, problem-solving, pattern-making, representations, building, and many more. As children grow up, especially between the ages of 2 and 5, they would gradually extend their learning and develop more complex techniques of block play such as children might want to act out detailed story-telling or role-playing using the block structures they make out of the blocks. Or, they may create free-standing structures or symmetrical patterns with blocks. Hence, block play can provide physical benefits as well as improve children’s development and cognitive skills in many ways.
One of the recent research projects we have been involved in has highlighted how logical thinking skills can be enhanced using our block building method. Language skills were also cited as a key area of progression. The impacts the language development run in parallel to the intellectual development shown by the young people involved in the study.
This area known as Oracy highlights the link between thinking and talking. Being playful with a collaborative tool enabled students to try out different ideas and explore a list of learning possibilities. As the students built their way to understanding they articulated their ideas to one another. This learning experience meant that the development of language skills was an integral part of the activity.
Block play has been proved to be a great teaching tool for the following areas of development:
Young children pass through various developmental stages during block play. These stages were first identified in 1933 by Harriet Johnson. The stages of block play mainly include:
Building blocks need to be a staple material in a block corner of each classroom. Parents and childhood educators may choose the most suitable variety from many types of blocks for children. Some famous varieties of award-winning blocks include foam blocks, chalkboard blocks, hollow blocks, magnetic blocks and plastic blocks.
These blocks can be used in a variety of shapes, colours, textures, and sizes. Block play sessions can give hours of open-ended play and fun for the block players. Block play journey provides an excellent way for young children to boost fine and gross motor skills, learn science concepts like balance and weight and work in groups to build a variety of complex structures.
If your school is interested in exploring the creative benefits of embracing our block building methodology then we encourage you to get in contact with us. Even if you don't have the blocks or the advanced professional knowledge, there is nothing stopping teachers from all phases of education utilising everyday construction materials to achieve your learning goals. The impact on language development is significant and when used purposely, this pedagogy can be a powerful tool for curriculum delivery.
The process of learning that occurs while children are playing with blocks is known as Block Play. It is a play with open-ended nature and with no set rules.
During block play, young children can be as constructive or imaginative as they like, which makes block play a versatile and useful childhood learning technique, especially for those in the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage).
Block play was first documented as an early learning strategy during the early 1800s. Nearly 200 years ago, Friedrich Froebel recommended using wooden blocks play to help with child development. Wooden building blocks are easy to play with and they are made of natural materials, which makes them an easy and sustainable means of entertainment for young children.
At Structural Learning, we have developed a methodology that schools are using to design engaging learning experiences. Using our specially designed blocks, teachers are using the tool kit to enhance many aspects of learning.
As well as the developmental benefits that we will outline in this article, we have been focusing on the intellectual benefits of providing a physical scaffold within the learning process. Using these durable materials has enabled both primary and secondary schools to enjoy a host of benefits from a basic block. Within this article, we will explore the benefits of building blocks in classrooms and highlight how this new pedagogy has significant implications for the creative development of children.
There are many benefits of building play for young children and toddlers. Blocks are an excellent way to introduce young children to various concepts. For example, transportation, problem-solving, pattern-making, representations, building, and many more. As children grow up, especially between the ages of 2 and 5, they would gradually extend their learning and develop more complex techniques of block play such as children might want to act out detailed story-telling or role-playing using the block structures they make out of the blocks. Or, they may create free-standing structures or symmetrical patterns with blocks. Hence, block play can provide physical benefits as well as improve children’s development and cognitive skills in many ways.
One of the recent research projects we have been involved in has highlighted how logical thinking skills can be enhanced using our block building method. Language skills were also cited as a key area of progression. The impacts the language development run in parallel to the intellectual development shown by the young people involved in the study.
This area known as Oracy highlights the link between thinking and talking. Being playful with a collaborative tool enabled students to try out different ideas and explore a list of learning possibilities. As the students built their way to understanding they articulated their ideas to one another. This learning experience meant that the development of language skills was an integral part of the activity.
Block play has been proved to be a great teaching tool for the following areas of development:
Young children pass through various developmental stages during block play. These stages were first identified in 1933 by Harriet Johnson. The stages of block play mainly include:
Building blocks need to be a staple material in a block corner of each classroom. Parents and childhood educators may choose the most suitable variety from many types of blocks for children. Some famous varieties of award-winning blocks include foam blocks, chalkboard blocks, hollow blocks, magnetic blocks and plastic blocks.
These blocks can be used in a variety of shapes, colours, textures, and sizes. Block play sessions can give hours of open-ended play and fun for the block players. Block play journey provides an excellent way for young children to boost fine and gross motor skills, learn science concepts like balance and weight and work in groups to build a variety of complex structures.
If your school is interested in exploring the creative benefits of embracing our block building methodology then we encourage you to get in contact with us. Even if you don't have the blocks or the advanced professional knowledge, there is nothing stopping teachers from all phases of education utilising everyday construction materials to achieve your learning goals. The impact on language development is significant and when used purposely, this pedagogy can be a powerful tool for curriculum delivery.