I cannot pass up sharing with you this blog site I found and this first post I came across!  Thank you, Sally, for what you are doing!  I hope everyone who visits our sites, goes and checks out Sally's site regularly - it's awesome!!!!  This may not be proper protocol - but we'll learn along the way.  Here's the link to her site.  Thanks again!  
http://fairydustteaching.blogspot.com/2011/03/developmental-stages-of-block-play.html

Block play is such an important part of the early childhood classroom.  It provides potent opportunities for creativity, imagination, problem solving, and foundational mathematical understandings. It is something that actually has a developmental sequence to it - like writing or drawing.  I love to watch the expansion of block play in the kindergarten.  It becomes such a world in itself!  I find it fascinating that the way children use the blocks can actually tell me something about their developmental growth cognitively.  

Stage 1 Tote and Carry (2 and 3 years old) 
At this stage, one of the first activities is the act of carrying around the blocks or piling them.  It is a full sensory experience as the child experiences the smoothness, the weight, the size and the sounds they make when they drop the blocks.  In this stage, the child is learning about blocks and what blocks can do. 

Stage 2 Building Begins (3 years old) 
At this stage, a child will pile the blocks to make a tower or lay the blocks on the floor in rows, either horizontally or vertically.  There is much repetition in their building.  It is in this stage that the first application of imagination occurs as props such as cars or trucks are used on "roads."

This clip is from the Bowling Green State University Child Development Center home page covering a FEW of the things that children gain from playing in these areas.  It covers all Learning Areas, so check it out!  I've chosen to include only the portion here on Blocks. Click on the link below for the entire article.

Blocks 

• symbolic representation
• patterns
• symmetry
• planning
• balance
• size relations
• trial and error
• problem solving
• interaction of forces
• pre-math concepts-more, less, number, etc.
• visual perception
• hand/eye coordination
• classification
• cooperation
• self-esteem
• completion

In construction activities, children create models that represent their internal vision of an object or event.  This is the concrete way in which children symbolize the world;  and it is a highly creative process.  When children build out of real materials the models that originate in their minds, they must draw on other abilities as well, such as creativity, imagination, aesthetic appreciation, fine and gross motor and perceptual skills, planning, language and often social interaction techniques.  As children construct something out of paper and paste, clay or blocks, they coordinate all aspects of the self.  It is this synthesizing characteristic that explains the importance of construction within our program.

http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/cdc/page60405.html

Unit Block Play

All About Unit Block Play

By Nancy P. Alexander

Understanding Unit Blocks Although there are numerous types of blocks on the market, unit blocks offer the most learning value. What is it about unit blocks that make them such an important part of any early childhood classroom? To begin with, unit blocks are proportional in size to develop mathematical concepts. They are available in various size sets according to the number of children who will use them. Unit blocks are made of hardwood with a natural finish and can therefore be expected to last many years. Values of Unit Blocks Children learn many concepts, especially math concepts, through block play. Play with blocks provides an excellent opportunity for social and physical development and enhances creativity. Following is a summary of the specific concepts and traits that children learn through block play:

Four Preschool Activities for Blocks in the Classroom

written by: Tania Cowling • edited by: Amanda Grove
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/preschool-crafts-activities/51985-four-block-activities-for-preschoolers/ 

Blocks come in a variety of shapes, colors, and textures so preschool children can use them to learn through their senses. Preschool activities for blocks can also help to develop creativity and problem solving. As you guide the children during block play, talk about the shapes, how blocks are positioned (on top of, underneath, behind), how to balance blocks as in stacking, and counting blocks. Read on for activities that help children explore many concepts in early childhood learning.

Developmentally Appropriate Block Play

 

By J. Hendrick|P. Weissman 

http://www.education.com/reference/article/developmentally-appropriate-block-play/ 

Blocks are timeless, classic play materials that have endured as an activity through many different ideologies and theories of child development. Playing with blocks provides endless opportunity for the development of emerging perceptual-motor skills. Here is a summary of developmentally appropriate block play between infancy and age 6.

Including Special Needs Children in the Block Area

 “When children with special needs and abilities are included in environments serving children who are developing typically, all children benefit”

Block Play Safety

Keeping block play safe as possible is just as important as what they learn and how they develop.

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.

Homemade Blocks: The Learning Continues

Homemade blocks are a great way to continue the fun of block play away from the school setting. 

Welcome to Blocks of Life

Welcome to our Blocks of Life blog site - 

A Study in the Use of Blocks in Early Childhood Education!  

We know that children learn through play.  The purpose of this blog is to explore how child initiated play with BLOCKS takes place and what children learn from playing with them.  

We are 5 students in Early Childhood Education currently enrolled at Cañada College, Redwood City, CA taking a course in Early Childhood Curriculum.  The textbook, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool by Diane Trister Dodge, Laura Colker and Cate Heroman, is the main foundation for our studies.

We encourage you, as our readers, to explore with us the importance of Block Play in early childhood education and share with us with your knowledge, experiences and resources so that we may all grow together in building a stronger community for our children.

 

We look forward to our partnership!

Vicky, Jason, Eden, Kim and Nick