The Unit Block

The Unit Block

Article by Community Playthings

By Rosanne Regan Hansel

https://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2018/Guiding-Learning-During-Block-Play


“Every child can be a builder if they are guided by a caring adult.”


Manipulating blocks improves spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination and Imagination = Meaningful learning.

• Provide time for open ended exploration with blocks

• Model appropriate guidelines for building 

• Blocks are for building (not throwing) 

• Unbuild your own construction only (no knocking down structures that aren’t yours) 
  

Observe and document children’s building

Notice -

• What are the children building? 

• What problems are they encountering? 

• What interests do the children express during building? 

• What are the children learning about the properties of blocks as they build? 

An observant caregiver can play an essential role in sitting on the floor during this process and modeling ways to build with blocks.

Respond with thoughtful feedback

Be involved just enough in children’s block play to support complex thinking or language without taking over or interfering with play.

This is truly a skill that takes time to master! 

Start with these tips:


Ask open-ended questions.


Describe and expand on what children say.


Support language and vocabulary.


Point out building elements, concepts and new terms.


Invite Imaginary, Pretend play.


Encourage a love of learning through block play.
City and Country School: Block Program
https://www.cityandcountry.org/programs/lower-school/blocks-program/