• Home
  • SAVE TIME IN THE ACADEMY
  • BROWSE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LIBRARY
  • MEMBER LOGIN

The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

  • SHOP EDUCATOR RESOURCES
  • NEW? START HERE
  • FREE Planning Guide
  • My Story

Extending Block Play for Early Learning

by The Empowered Educator 19 Comments

Blocks are one of my favourite budget friendly resources for parents and educators because you can keep extending block play in so many different ways with just a few simple loose parts!

Extending Block Play for Early Learning

Children of different ages and stages use and create with blocks in different ways. Toddlers love to carry blocks all over the place and can be very creative with putting them in and out of different materials to make this easier! They also begin to stack and form the first simple towers as they explore cause and effect, spatial awareness and balance.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Older children will begin to explore and experiment with engineering and problem solving skills as they start to build roadways, bridges, complicated structures and also use the blocks to connect to other areas of their play like dramatic and imaginary play.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

There is absolutely no wrong or right way to play with blocks or even what the definition of ย a ‘block' might be! ย Every child is unique in the way that they choose to approach this material and that is why I believe blocks are such a valuable tool to encourage open-ended play and learning.

By observing how children are playing and using the blocks we can gain ideas for how we might extend and challenge that play by the addition of a few simple loose parts.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

By providing opportunities and invitationsย to incorporate different materials to what might be just the ‘traditional' wooden or plastic blocks we allow children to decide how they want to play and extend their own learning.

Older children might ask for additional props or you might notice the toddler has a handbag full to bursting with blocks and needs something bigger. Observations and recognising schemas and new developmental stages and skills will help you to plan ahead and reignite interest in the construction area.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Source : Clare Louise – The Woodland Child

How does Block Play encourage learning?ย 

Although a basic material and the staple of many early years services and family homes blocks offer so many possibilities for play based learning. There is a reason they have been around for so many years!

When children play with blocks they…

  • Use their imagination – on their own or as part of a group.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

  • Express themselves creatively and explore current themes and questions.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

  • Work at solving problems, keep trying and manage their frustration.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

  • Engage spatial awareness, stability, fine and gross motor skills.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

  • Encourages social and emotional growth as they take turns, work as a group, share resources, make plans,ย build self esteem and pride in accomplishments, gradually extend attention spans.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

  • Explore simple mathematical and scientific concepts like measurement, symmetry, balance, counting, cause and effect, trial and error, patterns, comparison, grouping, test out ideas and much more.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

And that is just a condensed list of learning possibilities!

Adding basic materials (both large and small) helps children to expand upon their ideas, renew their interest in block play and also inspires them to try using the foundation blocks and everyday construction materials in different ways.

So how can you make this happen without it costing you a fortune in additional resources?

10 Easyย Ideas for Extending Block Play

1. Add loose parts to the construction area – think about current interests and what you already have available that could be used in a different way.ย Collect and add natural materials to the block area as part of your loose parts collection.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

2. Consider adding small tables and platforms of different levels to create stages and specific building areas. I often use pallets, tyres, mats, low to ground tables, wooden spools, tree stumps, flat boulders, wood cookies.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

3. Incorporate mirrors of different sizes and shapes to encourage visibility and 3D effects while building. If worried about glass breaking start with acrylic versions that are easily available.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Source : Sarah Hart

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Source – Sarah Hart

4. Add a basket of measuring tools like tape measures, rulers, pencils for marking etc.

5. Provide pictures of bridges, block constructions and other designs for them to try and copy or modify to their own plan. Add paper, pens, clipboards and other ‘design' tools to help older children plan out and construct their idea.

6. Easy access to dramatic play props like kitchen utensils, material, saucepans, tins, recycled plastic containers, felt pieces.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

7. Make blocks available both indoors and outdoors and allow children to select and add materials to the construction area.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents! Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

8. Ensure there is plenty of room to build, create, extend and investigate. Think about ways you can record and display the hard work even after it needs to be packed away – consider not packing away if possible for a few days so the children can continue to revisit and extend upon the play.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

9. Add props for road play including cars and trucks of different sizes, road signs, plants, road carpets, masking tape to make lines, velcro pieces, chalkboard blocks, figurines and people, boxes for garages.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!10. Add props for filling, tipping and carrying. We love handbags from the op shop, small baskets, cardboard boxes (shoe boxes and tissue boxes are a fantastic size!) cars, trucks, cardboard tubes.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Make your own DIY magnetic blocks for a different way to build.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Source : Abigail Brown from Learning Through Play FDC

Explore colour, reflection and texture in different ways outdoorsย 

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Use as props for dramatic play – this is our outdoor toolshop!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Create easy DIY games like tic tac toe

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Use tables and other platforms to change the perspective

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Use a whiteboard or car mat to define the construction spaceย 

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Go fine motor fishing with the foam blocks.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Make your own blocks from nature…don't forget to involve the children in the process!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Use blocks to do some simple shape stamping.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Use recycled squeeze bottles and water paints to colour and create patterns on the pallet blocks.

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Work together to build a brick wall that won't fall down!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

Extend block play and reignite interest in construction and block corner with these simple tips and open ended play ideas. Free Factsheet download for early childhood educators and parents!

I hope you are feeling inspired to try out a few new ideas to extend block play and perhaps reignite the children's interest in this area if it has been waning or getting a little destructive at times.

Don't forget to step back, observe, note emerging skills and interests and of course join in to help solve problems or pose new challenges.

ย 

You can also share your photos of the children's construction or your block area over in our Empowered Educator Community – our members love to inspire and swap ideas!

how to extend block play for early learning

A Little About Me

Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.


Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.

Filed Under: Connecting with Communication, educator tips, Home daycare Tagged With: blocks, construction, loose parts, manipulative play

« Playful Learning Spaces for Babies and Toddlers
20 Ideas to Encourage Outdoor Rainy Day Play »

Comments

  1. Louise Gough-armstrong says

    28/09/2017 at 7:02 am

    Interested in block play

    Reply
    • Chandima Nanayakkara says

      30/06/2019 at 10:06 am

      You are doing great job for us. Thank you very much

      Reply
    • Sarah says

      14/11/2019 at 4:23 am

      Yes I am interested in block play just need to extend question with my students during that time

      Reply
  2. Maria-Paula Acevedo-Gonzalez says

    29/09/2017 at 10:09 pm

    Amazingly inspiring ??????

    Reply
    • The Empowered Educator says

      30/09/2017 at 10:35 am

      Thanks so much Maria-Paula, I’m glad you found it inspiring!

      Reply
  3. Linda Jenkins says

    30/09/2017 at 4:02 am

    I work with early years settings and this will be a fantastic resource for them. Ok to pass on?

    Reply
    • The Empowered Educator says

      30/09/2017 at 10:35 am

      I’m glad you feel it is a helpful resource Linda -please do feel free to share ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Thunguyet says

    02/10/2017 at 4:45 am

    Thank you so much ? for give me a lot of ideas ?.

    Reply
  5. Carol says

    07/11/2017 at 7:11 pm

    Wonderful resource

    Reply
    • The Empowered Educator says

      13/11/2017 at 11:08 am

      Thanks for the feedback Carol!

      Reply
  6. Tammy says

    18/06/2018 at 3:14 am

    Inspirational.

    Reply
  7. Sandra says

    02/08/2018 at 8:07 pm

    Thank you great ideas for next term

    Reply
  8. Lisa A says

    10/08/2018 at 5:58 pm

    Very inspiring, thank you!

    Reply
  9. Gina says

    21/04/2019 at 2:31 pm

    Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
  10. M says

    25/09/2019 at 6:10 pm

    Inspiration always appreciated

    Reply
  11. Pat says

    03/10/2020 at 5:51 am

    super block play ideas!

    Reply
  12. Shantini says

    28/05/2021 at 8:07 pm

    Hi thank you for sharing. It was very useful.

    I would like to keep a hard copy of this article. Is there any way to do so?

    Reply
  13. tashy says

    08/06/2022 at 5:37 am

    It was very useful would like to know more about block play

    Reply
  14. Joy says

    11/10/2022 at 7:48 am

    I really enjoy your blog . I am very inspired to learn more about learning through play

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jodie
Hi, I'm Jode, Mum to twins and a teen, and an early childhood educator.
I love to share ideas & resources for play based learning
Find out more about me here...

pinterestfacebooktwitterinstagram

What Can I Help You With?

Family Day Care

Outdoor Play

Sensory Play

Simple Planning

The World Around Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Refund Policy
  • Privacy Policy

.

Copyright © 2023 ยท Market theme by Restored 316