This kindergarten group thinks outside the box using Pipe Builders as the building blocks for their outdoor garden.

Blocks Center

 

 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!

Let’s Build! Activities for a Preschool Tools and Construction Theme

http://notjustcute.com/2011/03/11/lets-build-activities-for-a-preschool-tools-and-construction-theme/

Use a variety of building materials in addition to your standard unit blocks.  For examples, kids use pipes,  gutters , or large blocks for dramatic play.

pipes

gutters

Large Blocks

     Using large blocks (I made mine copying something like these…when I had just one toddler….who took long naps) build a creation against a wall and then outline the blocks using blue painter’s tape.  Ta-da!  You now have a full-scale blueprint!  Encourage children to follow the blueprint or create their own.  Other props in this theme might include hard hats, play tools, tool belts (Home Depot sells a tool apron for only $1), clip boards and pencils, real blueprints, phones/radios, orange cones, and caution tape.  You could also include a large appliance box and let your children use it to design and create their structure.

Different Props for Different Stages of Block Development

http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2010/06/we-play-blocks-and-props.html

As with all areas of development, children go through stages using blocks.  Understanding the stages will help you to provide the perfect props to appeal to the children in your world. 

Carrying Blocks

Watch a toddler in the block area and you will see them carrying blocks around, piling them, collecting them and putting them in and out of containers.  To facilitate this play, try adding:

Using Blocks:Early Years Curriculum Materials

This case study is an example of how blocks are used to develop planning, thinking, problem solving
and cooperative strategies in a Prep Year classroom. The prep class is located on a school campus.
Children in this class have usually not attended pre-preparatory classes and have little or no
experience with using blocks in a classroom context.
We have presented this case study in school term units. However, this sequence of teaching and
learning could be adapted according to the needs and interests of the children in your setting.