Scenario 1
Rohit has been playing with building blocks and has built a house. He
needs to put the blocks back into their container.
1. How do you think he can fit the blocks into the container?
Answers
Explanation:
Many children play very vigorously in the block area, taking up lots of space. A road race may extend from one end of the block area to the other, for example, and hospital play may involve numerous patients, hospital staff, and beds. Such highly social play is normal and important. At the same time, other children play very quietly with blocks, exploring and arranging them by themselves in their own space. This quiet, solitary block play is equally valid and necessary. Since the vigorous, more social block players often take over the space they need at the expense of the quiet block players, it is important to provide space for both kinds of play. Here are some strategies to consider:
Enclose part of the block area to create a nook for quiet block play.
Take blocks outside where there is more space for both quiet and vigorous block play.
Help quiet block players find a spot outside the block area where they can take their blocks and play undisturbed – for example, under a table, in a tent, inside a large box.
Location. Because of its popularity, the block area works best when located in a spacious area. Setting up the area so it opens onto a central space allows block play to extend outward on particularly busy days. Locating the block area away from the area for wheeled toys and the general traffic flow allows children to balance their structures undisturbed and keeps accidental topplings to a minimum.
Since role play often extends from the house area to the block area, locating the block area next to or across from the house area allows children to use both areas simultaneously without disrupting children working in other areas. In the house area, blocks become beds, walls, telephones, dishes, and cars, while pots and pans, tablecloths, mirrors, and dolls add realistic details to the structures children build in the block area.
If your block area is small, try one or more of the following strategies to make it more spacious:
Eliminate extra furniture (adult-sized desks, file cabinets, unused tables, storage cabinets).
Use hallways for coats, cubbies, and extra storage.
Add a loft and move one of the interest areas from the floor level to the loft.
Move blocks and building materials outside.
Low shelves and storage containers can create boundaries in the block area. A flat, tightly woven carpet helps to define the area, reduces noise, and provides a comfortable work surface.
Materials. Block area materials include all kinds of things to build with, put together and take apart, fill and empty, and pretend with. When space permits, the block area also includes materials children can test their strength against, such as logs, tree-stump rounds, and a real gate. Since the block area has wide appeal and a number