Beginning Block Building
How creative can children be when each has a few blocks? Good activity for
observing kid's skills. Objectives
Children between the
ages of 3 and 4 can try to imitate or initiate the building of a bridge with
three blocks, and imitate placement of four blocks to enclose a space. Cog. IIID
Children between the ages of 2 ½ to 3 can name the block structure as being a
bridge, bed, track, etc. Cog. IV A
From ages 2-2 ½, children can place blocks in row horizontally on the floor or
vertically by stacking. Cog. IIID
And from ages 1 ½-2 years, the children can build a tower out of 6-9 blocks. FM I
Materials
Small, 1" square
colored blocks.
Procedures
1. Seat children around a table with elbow room between each
child. Give each child 8-10 colored blocks to play with. Teacher will describe
as well as demonstrate the individual building activities.
2. Encourage children to imitate the following structures:
- Blocks placed in a row horizontally like a train.
- An enclosed space using four blocks
- A bridge using 3 blocks.
- A 3-dimensional structure like a house, car, etc.
After simple imitation of above, let the children use their own imaginations in
building. Encourage labeling of structures.
3. Use this activity as an introduction to more elaborate block building
activities. Repeat this project several times as well as having blocks
available daily for the children to experiment with.
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