Toy blocks also referred to as building blocks, are various solid shapes that are designed for construction play. Some are necessary planks made from wood, while others are more intricate interlocking bricks made from plastic. Whichever form they take, blocks can be used as powerful learning tools. Studies propose that toy blocks may be assisting in helping children develop:
- Hand-eye coordination as well as motor skills
- Spatial reasoning
- Language skills
- Spatial reasoning
- Social competence as well as engineering skills
- A capability for divergent and creative thinking
Evidence suggests that complex block-play is associated with high-level mathematical achievement. But how? It is easy to see that arranging and stacking toy blocks can boost a toddlerโs motor skills. But as far as other dexterities go, kids can do more than just moving blocks around. Research reveals that kids can benefit from construction play when theseย elements are incorporated:
- Building from a template
- Participating in cooperative projects, and
- talking with others concerning spatial relationships
Building Blocks Promote Enhanced Spatial Reasoning
We already know that there is a link between construction play and developing spatial skills. When researches involved kindergartners in partaking in a program that included construction play, these kids outperformed their peers on tests of block building, mental rotation (being able to analyze and rotate 3D shapes in their mindโs eye) as well as spatial visualization.
Kids Who Are Skillful With Toy Blocks Are Apt To Become Better Mathematicians
Block play has been associated with math skills too. In a specific study, the intricacy of a childโs LEGO play at four years old had prolonged predictive power. More comprehensive play during the preschool years is correlated with more pronounced mathematics achievement in high school, still after controlling for the childโs IQ.
Structured Block Play May Improve Cognitive Flexibility
Cognitive flexibility is a childโs ability to shift his focus from one stimulus to another. It is an essential skill for achieving success in school. Some kids struggle with this, and due to environmental factors, that include low socioeconomic status, it can put a child at a higher risk of developmental setbacks. After completion of a specific study, children who partook in structured block play showed advancements in cognitive flexibility and was particularly evident in children from families that have lower socioeconomic status.
Toy Block Is Excellent For Language Development
Evidence suggests that very young kids develop advanced language skills when they partake in frequent block play. It also alludes that kids can develop an augmented understanding of spatial vocabulary when we talk to them with regards to spatial relationships.
Toy Blocks May Stimulate Divergent And Creative Problem-Solving Skills
Psychologists notice two significant types of issues. Convergent issues have only a single solution; however, divergent matters can be resolved through various methods.
Because children can put together blocks in various ways, block play is considered as divergent play. This type of play with blocks can prepare children to think creatively in solving divergent issues better.
Cooperative Construction Play Assist Kids With Improving Their Social Skills
Research reveals that children become more socially savvy and friendlier when they work together on collaborative construction projects.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat
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