Paper bag blocks: If you don’t have funds to purchase sets of blocks, you can make them yourself by stuffing large paper grocery bags with cloth, tissue, newspaper, or some other filling and sealing them.You might also consider making your own blocks. Choose some basic unit or foam blocks, and add more as funds allow. If you cannot afford to buy a large set of blocks, you can start small and build gradually. One of the main challenges of adding blocks to a child care environment is that they can be expensive. The rods are all the same width but vary in length and color. Cuisenaire Rods: Cuisenaire rods are sets of wooden rods that can be used for building.Some building bricks are sold in sets intended to make a specific item following a pattern, but most manufacturers also have large sets that can be used to create many different things. Building bricks are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. The most common brands of building bricks are Lego, Duplo, and Mega Bloks. Building bricks: Building bricks are snap-together plastic bricks that can be used to build many different types of structures.They are made especially for young children and are often seen in infant classrooms. Cloth blocks: Cloth blocks are soft and easy to grip.They usually come flat, and you have to fold them to put them together. Cardboard blocks are made of densely folded corrugated cardboard. Cardboard blocks: Like hollow blocks, cardboard blocks can be used to build life-size constructions.Because they are smaller than unit blocks, they may be more appropriately sized for play on tables or in small spaces. These blocks may come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Tabletop blocks: Wooden blocks that are not made in standard unit sizes are known as tabletop (or table) blocks.In addition to unit blocks, these are some other common tools used for construction in child care settings. Other Construction Options for Young Children Some sets of foam blocks use standard unit block measurements. Large hollow blocks may have either open or closed edges.įoam blocks: Foam blocks are soft and lightweight and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are hollow in order to reduce their weight. The blocks are large enough for a child to stand on and can be used to build life-sized structures. Large hollow blocks: These blocks are large enough that young children will need to carry them with two hands. Each block is a fraction of the standard unit (such as a quarter unit or half unit) or a multiple of the standard unit (such as a double unit or quadruple unit). Unit blocks: The most basic blocks are made from solid hardwood so they will last for years, if not a lifetime. They are called “unit blocks” because they are built on the same basic standard of measurement. Toddlers and 2-year-olds may be better off with foam, cardboard, or cloth blocks. Small pieces can be a choking hazard, especially for children under age 3. Be especially cautious with building bricks and other small building materials. For example, toddlers may not be the best audience for large hollow wooden blocks because they may be too heavy for them to lift and carry. Be aware of the age of the children in your classroom when choosing blocks. Different Types of Blocksīelow are some examples of the many types of blocks you can find for your child care classroom. If you are in a child care center that cannot afford several different types of blocks in each classroom, a great way to get variety is to supply each classroom with a different type and rotate them between classrooms on a regular schedule. Different blocks and building materials can be used for different purposes. Ideally, each class should have a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. How Many Blocks Are Needed?Īs a general rule, 2-year-olds should have at least 200 blocks available to them, 3-year-olds should have at least 300, and children 4 years old and up should have at least 400. Blocks are a great way for children to strengthen gross and fine motor skills, practice science concepts such as weight and balance, and work together to create increasingly complex structures. With a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures to choose from, blocks can provide hours of fun on their own, even before adding manipulatives and other items to them. Blocks should be a staple material in almost every child care classroom.
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