The blocks center is a very important part of an early childhood classroom.
In fact, if you had to choose one center in the classroom as the most
important of all, the blocks center would be a prime candidate for the title.
When children build with blocks, they learn about mathematical concepts
such as size, shape, number, and quantity. They become aware of scientific
principles such as the force of gravity and the functioning of simple machines
such as levers and inclined planes. They learn to think, plan, and problem
-solve as their structures take form. This center has special appeal for children
whose intelligences are strong in the visual/spatial, logical/mathematical, and
bodily/kinesthetic areas.
Blocks play provides children with opportunities to create,
cooperate, and communicate. Social learning takes place in the
blocks center as children work together to share materials, space,
and ideas. Literacy skills develop through block play when children
various blocks experiences. Children gain eye-hand coordination and
visual discrimination skills when they group blocks that are the same
size and shape at clean-up time. Virtually everything you might want
to teach a young child can be taught through blocks play!
