Physical Development and Block Play

Blog Post One in Our Block Play Series

Construction play is a firm staple of many early year’s settings, whether that be through Duplo, wooden blocks, Lego, large blocks, or community play blocks and everything else in between. We use a wide array of items to support children’s learning and development. Join us for our new series that will look at block play in early years settings. This first blog is going to look at how block play can support children’s physical development.

Many years ago, I was in a meeting with an Occupational Therapist (OT), and she shared with us, how much she loved the fact we used Lego in the preschool. She sat there and said, “Lego is just amazing, and is exactly what Child A needs to support his physical development!” This made me smile so much, because it is so true and often, we can forget the value of the everyday toys or equipment we use and how they support children’s learning and development.

I guess in the very simplistic term, we can forget the why we purchased those resources in the first place. Or perhaps they just form part or our continuous provision and environment because it is just ingrained and that is how it has always been. At the moment in the early years, it is very refreshing that we are really unpacking our practise, pedagogy, curriculum and enabling environments. We are thinking about the why or intent behind everything that we are doing, and the implementation (how we are doing it) and the impact (the difference it makes to children’s learning, development and well-being.

Do you want to explore the topic of intent, implementation and impact more? Why not join out webinar, ‘Exploring the 3I’s: Intent Implementation and Impact’?

So, let’s go back to the Lego and think about some of the physical skills that children are developing when they are building with construction toys such as Lego, Mega Blocks or Duplo that connect:

·         They are developing the strength and muscles in their fingers, hands, and arms as they push the items together and pull bricks apart.

·         Developing fine motor skills.

·         Developing their hand-eye coordination.

·         Developing wrist, elbow and shoulder pivots.

·         Developing spatial awareness.

·         Developing bilateral coordination (this is having control over both sides of the bodies, to coordinate movement and the development of both sides of the brain talking to one another).

This is true for lots of block play activities, children are learning to balance, control over small muscles and movements, spatial awareness so that they do not knock their towers down and bilateral coordination. We also know that when children are exploring building with big blocks, we are also supporting those larger gross motor skills and coordination as children move and negotiate space as they build. Quite simply there are many benefits to children’s physical development by participating in block play.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next blog post in our series that will look at how block play can be enhanced to incorporate early literacy development.

Do you want to explore the potential of block play more? Why not join our webinar, The Potential of Block Play in Your Continuous Provision?