Building Blocks, Building Skills

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The Building Area is a popular area of our classroom where the children have free rein to collaborate, problem solve, and try out their ideas. Having various shaped blocks supports their imagination as they learn to represent different shapes for other other objects, measure, and create symmetry, and patterns. All of these skills are important for cognitive development and early math skills. They children also learn to communicate their ideas with peers, while building flexibility and understanding. 


Mikey, Donovan, and Bryce use a variety of building materials to create castles, an airport and a farm. 


Before building, Sherleen Kate and Hunter looked at a photo of a real castle as inspiration for their structure. They were able to compare and contrast the images in the photo with the blocks in front of them. 


Arden uses symmetry to match cubes and bridges on the top of her "Princess Castle"


Luna Bella and Madeline choose several rounded arches in the center of their "Choo Choo Train House." After finishing, they return the blocks to their spots on the shelf. 


Kara explains that a 'button' opens the ramp for the truck to drive through. She observed another child with this idea earlier, and then made it her own. 

Christian and Caden work together to build a tower. The tower falls down several times, but they both decide to make it again! 


Amet counts the bridges he has used when he has completed his track. 
"I have 6 bridges. Then there were no more so I make another one." 

Cian explains, "I use triangles and squares for a castle. I put big squares too." 



In the last few weeks, the children have created many kinds of structures using various blocks and magnatiles. To build the children's vocabulary, letter and word awareness, we have started a word bank with the descriptors that the children have used to name their structures. We also have been collecting photos of the children's structures on the wall to revisit, create again, and describe what they have made. As they create increasingly complex structures, we will encourage the children to make more signs, labels, and other 2D representations to go with their ideas. This supports their writing skills, early reading, and language development.