I say it quite often but truly believe: “there is intent to all that we do here at Aldersgate.” From our schedules, to the way we serve snack, to the way that our rooms are set up. We do it all for a reason.
Each of our classrooms at the preschool are set up with four distinct areas: block play, dramatic play, art, and quiet area. We’ll be talking about each in future posts but for today, I’d like to tell you about our block play.
Did you know that there are lots of different kinds of blocks? We have bamboo blocks, wood blocks, lego blocks, letter blocks, sign blocks, number blocks, transparant color blocks, foam blocks, brick blocks, hollow blocks, natural tree blocks, rainbow blocks… you get the idea, right? I’m not sure that we could ever have too many blocks. Kids love them! And, we enjoy seeing the things that they create with them…
Block play is often a social time for children. They work together to build and create things, they compromise, they take turns, they take pride in their accomplishments, they practice trial and error, and they learn!
There is a plethora of information that you can find if you google “benefits of block play in early childhood.” But, the best thing that I have seen that, really, says it all is a poster that diagrams wonderful benefits that children experience just by playing with blocks.
image found via Designs for Childhood
Interested in enriching your home with some blocks? We order most of ours from here. But, really, they can be found anywhere; from Target to Wal-Mart to U.S. Toy. And, as always, let us know if you have questions!
Aldersgate Preschool 