Blocks provide plenty of opportunities for developing persistence, problem solving, and creating 3-dimensional structures. Block play invites tamariki | children to imagine, invent, and experiment while at the same time encouraging reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
Block play is often a time when tamariki learn strategies and skills to play with others. It can involve talking through ideas and discussing mathematical and scientific concepts.
Tips for using blocks at home#
It’s good to have a bit of space to spread out when playing with blocks. Carpet provides comfort. However, some tamariki find it easier to build on an uncarpeted area.
Using low shelving or boxes to store the blocks allows tamariki to reach the blocks they want.
Ideas for equipment
- Home-made blocks made out of different sized boxes (stuffed with paper and taped down or covered with several layers of papier mâché for strength).
- Multiple wooden unit blocks in full, half, or quarter sets.
- Sets of coloured blocks.
- Items to use alongside blocks, such as toy cars, people, and animals.
- Other equipment such as cones, cardboard, and fabric.
Learning with blocks#
Blocks can help tamariki to:
- learn about gravity, stability, balance, weight, and trial and error
- understand shape, size, space, depth, width, and height
- develop hand-eye coordination
- learn to plan and ask questions, gain confidence in their own abilities
- learn to collaborate, show respect for the rights and perspectives of others.
Support your tamaiti#
You can support your tamaiti by:
- encouraging them to explore at their own pace, using their own ideas
- helping them sort out problems
- being present, showing interest through close listening and talk
- providing the vocabulary in tune with their actions, such as mathematical, scientific terms, additional adjectives (for example, more, higher, strong, wobbly, above, as well as counting)
- encouraging them to help tidy up and care for the equipment
- making sure they are safe
- providing images of iconic buildings and structures for inspiration, for example, fale, temples, skyscrapers, marae.
You could take pictures of the block structures before tidying them away.
This can validate the effort tamariki have put into their work.
