Math PK-2

Building Blocks

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Overview

Building with blocks is ideal for promoting early geometric and Spatial Skills. When students build and explore with blocks, they also develop their Mathematical Flexibility as they test and explore their ideas.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how this pre-K teacher leads a block building activity that promotes early math reasoning and Spatial Skills. By asking questions throughout the building process, she challenges students to think critically to solve the problems they encounter.

  • When students explore and build with blocks together, through collaborative or guided play, they develop their Language and Relationships Skills, while also building their capacity for creative thinking. Additionally, students can be tasked with a more structured activity, like to build a house from the blocks, which provides them with the opportunity to practice and develop their math and Spatial Skills.

    • Design It into Your Product

    Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.

    Learn how Kapu Blocks allows learners to creatively build block towers. Through silly animations and changeable blocks, learners can customize the structures they build and develop their Spatial Skills.

  • Products can create opportunities for learners to freely build structures from digital blocks. By providing a variety of blocks or shapes, learners can explore and push their creative thinking. Including a social element by allowing learners to collaborate with others also expands the breadth of their structure design and of their learning.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

    10 Things Kids Learn from Block Play

    NAEYC's list of the learning that comes from block play

    Block Centers in the Classroom

    Video on how to plan a block area in an inclusive classroom

    Why Blocks Rock

    Scholastic article on the benefits of block play

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Numeracy and Mathematics
    Language Skills
    Mathematical Flexibility
    Cognition
    Attention
    Cognitive Flexibility
    Inhibition
    Long-term Memory
    Sensory Integration
    Short-term Memory
    Spatial Skills
    Speed of Processing
    Working Memory
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Motivation
    Self-Regulation
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Home Learning Environment
    Physical Fitness
    Safety
    Sleep
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Active Learning Strategies

    Creating Visual Representations

    Students activate more cognitive processes by exploring and representing their understandings in visual form.

    Math Games: Numerical & Spatial

    Math games use numbers and Spatial Skills, allowing students to practice many math skills in a fun, applied context.

    Pretending

    Pretending allows students to step back from a problem or task and think about it from multiple angles.

    Response Devices

    Response devices boost engagement by encouraging all students to answer every question.

    Think-alouds

    When students explain their thinking process aloud, they recognize the strategies they use and solidify their understanding.

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