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Block Play

Blog Entry: 2nd March 2022


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The value of block play can be embedded into every single part of our children's development. Block play is developmental, for it progresses as a child discovers and applies new possibilities. It offers natural exposure to likenesses and differences of shapes, counting, sizes, and amounts. Block play becomes a doorway to discovery of maths, technology, engineering, design and even architecture. It offers a vast range of experiences for every child in a range of scenarios. As children naturally group and regroup during block play, interaction leads to cooperation in ideas, construction, and problem solving. Imagination is integral to block play. Children learn to create, bouncing ideas off one another and thinking for themselves, thus fulfilling the ultimate goal of education.

In Harriet Johnsons book, The Art of Block Building she lists the stages in which block play develops;
Stage 1: Blocks are carried around, not used for construction.
Stage 2: Children mostly make rows, either horizontal on the floor or vertical (stacking).
Stage 3: Bridging: two blocks with a space between them, connected by a third block.
Stage 4: Enclosures: four blocks placed to enclose a space.
Stage 5: When facility with blocks is acquired, patterns and symmetry can be observed.
Stage 6: Naming of structures, with names relating to function of building.
Stage 7: Buildings often represent actual structures children know from real life or stories. Strong impulse to dramatic play around the structures.

As keyworkers we often see these stages during the childrens time here with us, as each stage develops the children's imagination enhances and their structures become more and more intrinsic. Our role as key workers during Block play is often to be quietly present and an enthusiastic bystander, ready to ask open ended questions that begin with 'why do you think' or 'what if'. We are often ready to provide accessories or resources that might add play value.

Friedrich Froebel said over two centuries ago, “Each is a self-contained whole, a seed from which manifold new developments may spring to cohere in further unity. They cover the whole field of intuitive and sensory instruction and lay the basis for all further teaching. They begin to establish spatial relationships and proceed to sensory and language training so that eventually man comes to see himself as an intelligent rational being and strives to live as such.”

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Blog Archive


Library visit  
(10th January 2024)
Creative play  
(15th October 2023)
The benefits of play  
(12th October 2023)
Kate Claxton Author visit  
(9th October 2023)
Easy Fundraising  
(20th September 2023)
End of term  
(24th July 2023)
Family Picnic Event  
(10th July 2023)
Significant male- stay and play  
(22nd June 2023)
Dinky Ponies- Therapy Sessions  
(11th June 2023)
Healthy Eating  
(18th May 2023)
Life Cycles  
(16th May 2023)
Collaboration and working together  
(2nd May 2023)
A visit from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Brigade  
(26th April 2023)
Libby Jackson- Author  
(22nd March 2023)
Bert's Books  
(1st March 2023)
World Book Day/Week  
(28th February 2023)
Sharing Books  
(28th February 2023)
Raising money through a sponsored read  
(23rd February 2023)
What do you know about schemas?  
(20th February 2023)
Children's Mental Health Week  
(9th February 2023)
Safer Internet Day  
(7th February 2023)
Swindon Stories  
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Woodwork at Playgroup  
(24th January 2023)
Water Wall and more!  
(20th January 2023)
Early Life Experiences and De-escalation strategies  
(7th December 2022)
Nursery Rhyme Week  
(7th November 2022)
Supporting Speech and Language Development  
(17th October 2022)
Forest School  
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Fun Run!  
(14th July 2022)
How adults think about risk  
(26th June 2022)
Finding Treasure  
(16th June 2022)
Memory Wall  
(24th May 2022)
Loving pedagogy and building attachments  
(17th May 2022)
50 year celebration event  
(13th May 2022)
Storytelling through pictures  
(3rd May 2022)
Setting the scene!  
(31st March 2022)
Block Play  
(2nd March 2022)
Tip of the Iceburg  
(19th January 2022)
Visits from the PCSO  
(14th January 2022)
Celebrating 50 years of Croft Playgroup  
(11th January 2022)
Happy Christmas  
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Confident readers  
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Fundraising- Wreath making class  
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Introducing our Library room  
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When will my child write?  
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Did you know?  
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The start of a new year  
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End of another year  
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The benefits of movement  
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Support not punishment  
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ZUMBA  
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Caterpillars to Chrysalises  
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People who inspire us!  
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World Book Day  
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Sponsored read  
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Be kind to yourself  
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The end of 2020!  
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The power of water play.  
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Nanny's feedback and Settling in  
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Tales from the Sandpit  
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The seasons are changing  
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Tales from the Sandpit  
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Welcome back to Playgroup  
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Rhythmic Movement  
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Welcome to our new online Blog  
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