Learning in the Block Area
By: Saima Yasin
The block area is rich in STEM learning potential.
Children’s experiences in designing and creating
block structures resemble the professions of
architecture and construction engineering.
In addition, the block area gives children
ample opportunities to build physical
knowledge - for example, children will learn
that broad, flat bases are more stable than tall, thin ones. They can
also organize blocks by their shapes - as practitioners engage with
children in the block area they can introduce and model mathematical
vocabulary. For example, ‘Your cylinder blocks must be very strong,
they are supporting the rest of your building’.
As they build their knowledge and skills, children start experimenting
with inclines. They learn that vehicles move faster down
slopes that are steeper. These discoveries are part of
understanding physics.