BLOCKS AND CONSTRUCTION TOYS

Blocks and construction toys have been a part of the toy box for many many years. Children are often kept busy for long periods of time when they are given blocks and construction toys to play with. This is the stage of play where they are using their curiosity and imagination in many new ways. They are using different objects and manipulating them to make or construct something.

Block play and constructive play help children , through play, to develop problem solving skills, gross and fine motor skills, cognitive skills and social skills.

Very young children usually first use blocks in a very non constructive way. They carry them around or pile them up with no visible order or form. As they develop , they will use their creativity and imagination and build and construct various objects or scenarios.

Block and construction play helps to promote language and communication skills. Children talk about what they are building and often use many descriptive words. Group communication also takes place while children are co-operating in a group building or construction.

In a group situation , they become aware of and accept other childrens contributions and ideas and this leads to co-operation within the activity. They also learn patience and focus. While building and constructing , structures break or fall and they have to be rebuilt or modified. They learn to exercise patience as they begin again and they have to concentrate on the task at hand.

Block and construction play also stimulates creativity and imagination. There is no limit to what can be built. Block play allows them to follow their own ideas and embark on a voyage of discovery where they can be the captain or explorer.

Blocks and construction toys are made up of many shapes, sizes, colours, patterns etc and this offers the child ample opportunity to implement and improve maths skills. These skills include numbers, measurements, symmetry, balance and estimation. They also enhance their skills by comparing shapes and sizes and by creating patterns. By exploring concepts such as cause and effect and experimenting, they are able to develop their problem solving skills and implement scientific reasoning. They become aware of gravity, balance, weight and spatial awareness.

Building blocks of various shapes and sizes, blocks with numbers or patterns or letters, legos, building 3D models , engineering or science sets and toolkits are but a few examples of the vast array of blocks and construction toys that are available and play an important role in the various developmental aspects of a child.