Including children in the process of making the blocks helps with their creative and critical thinking, math concepts, motor skills, builds independence, resourcefulness and teaches a lesson on recycling.
Supply List
Collect a variety of boxes such as milk cartons, cereal boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, gift boxes, jewelry boxes, cosmetic boxes, paper towel tubes, brown paper bags and gift bags, tape, markers, crayons, paint, stickers, construction paper, or colored contact paper, scissors.
How-To
Stabilize each one by stuffing it with crumpled newspaper Tape them securely shut so the wrapping doesn’t become loose during play. Wrap the boxes as you would wrap a gift. Children can decorate boxes with markers, crayons, stickers or paint. Boxes can also be covered with adhesive contact paper for a matching set.
Playtime is very important to a child’s development and homemade blocks are a way to keep play fun, fresh, exciting, and safe!Source of photo.
I love homemade blocks! Raft is a great reasource for creating homemade blocks. Every ECE educator should get a membership to Raft. You will be very surprized what you can make out of recycled materials.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Bonham
City of Menlo Park - Belle Haven CDC
Program Supervisor