LATEST FROM OUR BLOGGERS
Today's Everyday Sweepstakes Action: Reply to Today's Community Chalkboard Question!
Getting to know our members better is truly important to us. One new way to do that i...
View More
Food Allergies - A Mother's Fears
May 13-19th is Food Allergy Awareness Week. This cause is one close to my heart, as o...
View More
How Long is TOO Long to Breastfeed?
By now, you likely know the benefits to breastfeeding your child. And while it i...
View More
BLOG roll
BLOG archives
BLOG contributors
Beauty Of Blocks
Friday, April 01, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Looking for a great toy to invest in?
Forget the newest toys on the shelves and go back to the basics.
When it comes to a toy that will grow for many years with your child, go buy a good, old-fashioned set of wooden blocks (or make your own blocks - think empty boxes, a variety of sizes, fill them with crumpled newspaper, and tape boxes shut = blocks!).
Blocks.
Yes, I know; they may not be the jazziest toy packaged out there, but they are a crazy good toy for many reasons.
Follow along... hopefully by the end of the entry, you'll be running out the door to get your own!
The beauty of blocks:
*Block play supports all aspects of development (social-emotional, gross and fine motor, and cognitive).
Bonus: because they provide so many options for play, they are a great toy that will grow with your child through toddlerhood, as well as through their preschool and elementary years.
What can children learn as a result of block play?
*There is no wrong or right answer when it comes to playing with blocks. Therefore, every way your child plays equals success. As children build (and then knock down) a structure, they may feel empowered and/or even learn from the times their structure falls, requiring them to build again.
*Block play naturally leads to creative play. Blocks can create roads, houses, buildings, even people, and a host of other things. The only limit to what blocks can build is an imagination. Every time a child plays with blocks can equal a new adventure.
*Playing with blocks supports the development of hand-eye coordination.
*When it comes to thinking skills (cognitive), block play can help your child learn shapes, patterns, sorting, counting, and, of course, problem-solving ("How can we build this?" "What will happen if we do this?").
Blocks. So simple, yet such beautiful play results.
Enjoy!
