How our learning stacks up...
Blocks are perhaps the most recognizable play thing in an early childhood classroom and they have earned that distinction because of the many ways they contribute to a child's growth.
"Look what I built!"... I speak for myself, and I'm sure many others who interact with young children, when I say that I can't count the number of times I've heard this phrase directed towards a parent or a teacher or a friend. Children have the opportunity to create something unique and they show great pride in what they've accomplished (artistic expression and self-esteem and independence). Children explore concepts like balance, patterns and shapes as they manipulate the blocks (discovery and exploration). As children build and inevitably knock over their own or another friend's structure, they have the opportunity to ask for help, let another child know that they don't want them to knock over their building or include others in their play (communication and interaction and cooperation). Fine motor and gross motor skills are developed as well as they stack, balance and maneuver the blocks while coordinating their own arm, fingers and bodies (physical development).