Block Centers

The block center is the most popular place in my home daycare. Not only is it fun, but it is a source of tons of hands-on learning. Children learn

-hand-eye coordination
-to develop motor skills
-concepts such as over, under, above, below, beside, between, next to, behind
-simple math ( adding two blocks, taking away three blocks to make two towers the same height)
-basic measuring skills such as bigger, biggest, small, smaller
-sorting and classification by shape, color, size
-testing the limits of the world around them ( building a tower as high as you can before it falls)
-learn respect for others (sharing blocks, not knocking over someone else’s building)

Your block center should be roomy, most likely the biggest center in your daycare. I’ve found that limited space encourages fighting over blocks and building space, and inhibits the children’s creativity. Although you want plenty of room, your block center should be well defined. I use two sets of shelves and a wall to form a “U” shape. Blocks have a way of taking over the play area and it’s best to set some limits to the space used for building so other centers aren’t over-run. An uncarpeted are works best since the blocks will balance better on a hard floor.

The block center is a noisy place. Block towers crashing to the ground and the excited voices of those little construction workers can make for a lot of chaos. It is best to place the block center next to another noisy center, like housekeeping and not by the library center or manipulatives where quiet and concentration are key.

I would recommend that the block center not have a table and chairs in it. The blocks seem to take on a life of their own and find themselves airborne with a table as a platform. Unit blocks (solid wood blocks) are usually recommended, but Legos are a fun addition.

Props can add excitement and creativity to your block center. Think of all the things a child can build and add props to encourage creative play. Cars and trucks can drive through block cities. Dollhouse people need a home. Hospitals, housed, apartments, and schools built from blocks come alive for the children when they have a resident or two. Dinosaurs and animal figures are favorites in my childcare. The kids love to build a zoo.

Blocks offer so many possibilities for learning and creativity. We’ll learn more in part two of Block Centers.

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