Stages of Block Play

In effort to support children reach their maximum potential while playing with blocks, knowledge on the four stages of block play can be useful information.


Stage I: Carrying Blocks
Children who have never played with blocks before usually carry them around. They learn how heavy the blocks are, how they feel, and how many they can carry at one time.

Stage II: Piling Blocks and Making Roads
Children begin to use their imagination and apply cognitive skills. They discover different arrangements while playing with blocks on the floor. They make towers by piling blocks on top of each other. As they connect blocks to make roads, they advance from simple piling to actual construction.

Stage III: Connecting Blocks to Create Structures
Children use past experiences to expand their construction skills. Bridging is learned as they experiment with blocks. Bridging also helps them learn about balance, spatial relationships, and improve hand eye coordination. Making enclosures (ex. cadges for animals) help children learn mathematical concepts like area and geometry. When children make designs, they express their creativity, as well as learn about symmetry, balance, and patterns.

Stage IV: Making Elaborate Constructions
Children use a variety of shapes and sizes of blocks with skill. They are able to curve structures, build above, around, or over obstacles.

This information can help when providing scaffolding for children to help them advance through the stages of block play. Source of information: The Creative Curriculum For Preschool.