| Blocks are still one of the most popular | | | | |
| traditional toys available today. Their | | | | Children who play with blocks together have |
| simple design and flexible usage attract | | | | the opportunity to develop even more social |
| children of all ages, especially | | | | skills. Attempting to reach a goal as a group |
| preschoolers. Children build and construct | | | | while building with these traditional toys |
| all sorts of things they experience in | | | | encourages children to work together as a |
| everyday life with blocks, opening all sorts | | | | team and can also enhance leadership skills. |
| of meaningful opportunities for learning | | | | Block play supports creative expression and |
| important school readiness and life skills. | | | | allows children to develop constructive ways |
| | | | to voice their opinions. |
| Most traditional toys, like blocks, were | | | | |
| originally made of wood. Today, wooden blocks | | | | Social, emotional, and language development |
| are still available, but there are several | | | | are not the only benefits of playing with |
| other styles of blocks to choose from. Chunky | | | | blocks. These traditional toys also encourage |
| plastic blocks or squishy fabric blocks are | | | | the development of skills in both math and |
| great toddler toys because they are safe and | | | | science. Blocks are one of the best toys that |
| durable for little hands and mouths. Wooden | | | | allow young children to experience and work |
| blocks are favorites of preschoolers, as well | | | | through the steps of scientific discovery |
| as large cardboard blocks and plastic blocks | | | | first hand. Through experimentation, |
| that snap together. Older children can now | | | | observation, and more testing, children learn |
| continue to enjoy the thrill of playing with | | | | the effects of gravity on an object, as well |
| these traditional toys with modern block | | | | as things like balance and structure. |
| construction sets designed for kids of | | | | |
| various ages. | | | | Traditional toy blocks come in a variety of |
| | | | shapes, colors, and sizes. These types of |
| One of the most obvious learning benefits of | | | | blocks are great for exploring geometry and |
| playing with blocks is in language | | | | encourage children to develop sorting skills. |
| development. Most children talk as they build | | | | Children can experiment with building with an |
| and experiment with these traditional toys. | | | | assortment of shapes, developing essential |
| Many preschoolers incorporate blocks into | | | | problem solving skills as they learn that |
| their pretend play, using them to build and | | | | flat, square or rectangular blocks make |
| represent a variety of props, from play | | | | better bases for their structures while |
| telephones to roadways. Playing pretend is | | | | cylindrical shaped blocks work well for walls |
| one of the most language rich activities a | | | | or columns. |
| child participates in. | | | | |
| | | | With all the educational and learning |
| Dramatic play with traditional toys like | | | | benefits offered through block play, it is no |
| blocks enhances important language skills, | | | | wonder these traditional toys have remained |
| including essential reading and writing | | | | long time favorites. Blocks allow children to |
| skills like event sequencing. This type of | | | | learn spontaneously through their play time. |
| play also develops social skills a child | | | | While structured and planned block play will |
| needs throughout life. As preschoolers begin | | | | ensure educational development, a child's |
| to join in group play settings, they learn to | | | | natural exploration during play provides the |
| take turns, to share, and to resolve | | | | same benefits with many traditional toys, |
| conflicts with others. | | | | especially blocks. |