Preschool Classroom Block Area (Construction)

Make sure you have plenty of space for the block area so children can build elaborate structures.

Goals/Skills:

• Concept development (shape, size, balance, contrast, one-to-one correspondence, counting, matching, sorting, spatial relationships, grouping, classifying, problem-solving, length, height, weight, leverage, geometric shapes, etc.)
• Conceptualization
• Cooperation/social skills

Supervision and Tips:

• Encourage children to only build as high as they can reach while standing on the floor.
• Do not allow children to throw or crash blocks. Say "Blocks are for building. They can really hurt if you get hit with one."
• Allow children to work out their own differences, facilitating only if a child seems frightened or endangered, or the situation is at an impasse.
• Encourage children to put the blocks away before leaving the area to do something else.
• Use logistical problems in building as opportunities for children to learn
• Label the block shelf with corresponding shadows for children to match