Blocks of Fun! 40 Block Activities for Kids

by JAMIE · 23 COMMENTS

in ACTIVITIES, BY MATERIAL, PLAY COLLECTIONS

We tend to have our blocks out a lot around here. Whether itslegos, or wooden blocks, or our ABC blocks, we include them in a lot of the activities that we do.

Blocks are kind of a staple in most households, am I right? Boys and girls both like blocks. They’re a lot of fun!

Turns out, kids can learn a lot from these simple toys. But, what exactly?

Childhood 101 goes into some specifics of adding literacy to the block corner, and Picklebums gives us a little insight onwhy block play is so important to kids.

And I’ve collected some wonderful ways to play with blocks, so we can maximize our use of these awesomely, simple toys[aren't the simple toys the best because they can be used the most ways?].

Here are 40 activities for the kids to do with blocks. I’ve included 14 ideas for the simple wooden blocks, 17 activities for legos [also includes duplo or mega blocks], 4 learning activities for the ABC blocks, and I couldn’t leave out ideas to build with your blocks, so there’s 5 building activities for the kids as well.

Teachers Role 2

                            A parent might say "How could blocks be important?"

A teacher that does not teach the parents as well as the child, is one that is not prepared.  When a parent gets involved with learning it helps the child a great amount.  The idea that only the teacher should be involved in a child's learning is a sad cop out.  All parents are different, but a teacher should find common ground with every parent so as to make them feel more comfortable and able to help their child learn.  Yes, the teacher should be teaching the parent as well.  Stressing the importance of Blocks and how they effect every child, where to get blocks and how to join in and facilitate projects at home.

The Teachers Role

                                The Teachers Role is very crucial to Block Play.

If a teacher does not know much about Blocks or their potential for child development, children will not get as much out of playing with blocks as they could or should.  A teachers job is to facilitate and encourage the use of blocks.  A teacher can also ask questions about the child's structure so that they may improve and learn more about the type of building they are constructing.  The more intricate the child gets with their structure the more they learn.

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.