All children should have access to blocks for building. When selecting the best building blocks for kids, you need to factor in their age. Since very young children put toys in their mouths, the safest blocks for them should be made of cloth cardboard, or plastic. Plus, cloth cardboard, or plastic blocks can be easily cleaned. Wooden blocks are the best choice for older children because they are sturdy and heavy enough to stay in place.
Learning in All Domains
When children play with blocks, learning occurs in all developmental domains. For example, when children play together with blocks they improve their social skills. In addition, when they create a building or tower, the feeling of success builds self-esteem. Children also improve their language and problem solving skills. In addition, blocks require kids to exercise their fine and gross motor skills.
Block Party
In this video, the Health and Human Services Department from the State of Indiana is having a Block Party so they can introduce parents to the important role blocks play in early childhood education. As Susan Tharp, a Health and Human Sciences Educator said, “It’s such a fundamental toy with infinite possibilities.”
My Thoughts
This video does an excellent job of explaining how playing with blocks helps children learn in all the developmental domains: physical, language, cognitive, and social and emotional. This video also shows how much fun parents have when playing with their children. Plus, it’s neat to see the parents realize that blocks are an important and versatile learning tool.
Important Information
It is crucial for parents and teachers to recognize the importance of play for healthy child development. For more information on this topic, as well as toy safety and appropriate toys for 3- and 4-year-olds, please visit the website for The National Association for the Education of Young Children, also known as NAEYC by using the following link. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/play/toys