Saturday, July 14, 2012

Block Play Safety

Keeping block play safe as possible is just as important as what they learn and how they develop. Talking with children and coming up with some rules will increase the chances for everyone to have fun and stay free from danger.

Discuss and come up with rules that allow children to play and create freely. For example, no throwing blocks, warning other children around when structures are being build above a certain height, putting a limit on how high a structure can be built. Another good rule is not to climb onto tall unstable structures.

Children build guns when they can not think of more creative things to do with blocks. Keeping a “gun free zone” allows children to remind others when they may forget. Support a child who builds guns by working with them in the block area and help them come up with other ideas on what and how to build with blocks. 

Examine the blocks on a regular basis to make sure there are no damaged blocks that might have rough edges or sharp corners. Clean blocks on a regular basis to remove dirt and germs.

A few conversations and rules will make all the difference when trying to keep block play as safe as possible.

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