Brilliant block play

A staple that every home and classroom should have are building blocks!  Building blocks are a fabulous open-ended toy that promotes creativity, engineering, logic, cooperation, the list could go on and on.  There are so many brilliant ways to use building blocks in your home or classroom that I thought I might take a few minutes to highlight some of them…

Brilliant block play by Teach Preschool

Let’s first begin by talking about what types of blocks are available for play…

  • Wooden blocks seem to be one of the most popular choices for preschool classroom; They are durable and even when handled on a daily basis, they can last for years.
  • There are unit blocks, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
  • There are cube shaped alphabet blocks which are commonly made out of wood.
  • There are colorful window blocks, sometimes filled with interesting objects like sand or water.
  • There are blocks made of foam.
  • There are blocks made of plastic: Bristle blocks, Legos, and Duplos are probably the most commonly found plastic blocks.
  • There are cardboard blocks in the shape of bricks for large scale building.
  • You can even have wooden block accessories which come in the shapes of trees, people, houses, cars, traffic symbols, and more…

Brilliant block play by Teach Preschool

The type of blocks you offer your children really doesn’t matter.  What matters is that there are building materials available so that children can construct and create.  If you have several different types of blocks, you might consider rotating them in and out to keep the children interested in building.  Another great way to keep children interested in building is by offering different ways to build.  No one ever said that building had to take place on the floor or at a table.  Try building with blocks on an easel covered with sticky paper or building with magnetic blocks like these from You Clever Monkey…

building a base to stack the blocks on

DIY Coloured magnetic blocks

Transform your blocks with unique materials.  Chasing Cheerios added velcro to her blocks for an interesting building experience…

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Babble Dabble Do sets out clay with her blocks for her children to create some really awesome clay and wood block structures

Brilliant block play by Teach Preschool

Another fun way to transform your blocks is with a coat of chalkboard paint like we see shared over at An Idea on Tuesday…

Brilliant block play by Teach Preschool

Challenge your children to build different structures or to solve puzzles with blocks.  The Imagination Tree created shape block matching picture cards to encourage her daughter recognize shapes and patterns…

Brilliant block play by Teach Preschool

This fun dice game also challenges children to build “up” with blocks as far as they can go…

Building up the word up by Teach Preschool

Blocks can be used to explore colors, shapes, patterns, or for matching games.  Here we explore shapes with blocks on the table

Exploring shapes on the table by Teach Preschool

Putting shapes on the lines

Combine water and block play with some sponge block water play puzzles

Sponge block water play by Teach Preschool

During circletime, blocks can also be used for literacy and story telling

"Changes, Changes" by Pat Hutchins

Lastly, use those blocks to promote art and creativity.  Play a fun building block drawing game with alphabet blocks…

Building block drawings in #preschool by Teach Preschool

Or trace around your blocks to create building block blueprints

Painted block blueprints

 

In our classroom, the majority of our Top Ten list of Toys for the Preschool Classroom falls in the area of building, engineering or block play!…

Top Ten Toys for the Preschool Classroom by Teach Preschool

 

What are your most favorite brilliant ways to play with building blocks?  Share them in our comments section below.

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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