Articles on Block Play

All About Unit Block Play - http://www.earlychildhood.com/Articles/index.cfm?A=397&FuseAction=Article A concise article listing the values of block play

Assessing Justin’s Block Play - http://www.earlychildhood.com/Articles/index.cfm?A=136&FuseAction=Article A well-written article to help you with assessment of  block play

Block Play: Building a Child’s Mind - http://www.woodentoy.com/html/BlocksGoodToy.html A copy of NAEYC article

Block Play: The Creative Openness - http://www.phenomenologyonline.com/articles/kalyanee.html An in-depth research article on the phenomenology of block play

Blockbusters - http://www.imagiplay.com/Blockbusters.pdf An easy read; 2 pg. article outlining the learning that comes from block play

Building Blocks - http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/org/buildingblocks/ This is the outline of a program of using blocks, puzzles and other manipulatives to reinforce mathematical concepts. A good read; excerpts excellent for handouts.

Community Playthings: Block Play - http://www.communityplaythings.com/c/subscriptions/collage/2004/blockplay.htm Addresses 4 issues: theory, setting up, organizing, and problem-solving

Carol's Favorite - 2005

“How Come He’s Always in the Blocks?” - http://www.winnetkaalliance.org/PAST_ARTICLES/blocks.htm A short article to help answer a parent’s query!

Kids/Blocks/Learning - http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1993/1/93.01.01.x.html A curriculum guide to educational pedagogy on block play

Large Blocks and Dramatic Area - http://www.humboldt.edu/~cdl/lblocks.html A good article that helps with some of the problems that emerge from block play

Parenting the Preschooler - http://www.uwex.edu/ces/flp/pp/pdf/blocks.pdf a 2 page handout on blocks; value; building your own set

Teacher Change: Adding Block Play to a Primary Classroom - http://www.coe.uga.edu/quig/proceedings/Quig98_Proceedings/himel.html A concise research project; interesting read!

Using Blocks with Children - http://www.smart-teachers.com/documents/archive/usingblocks.pdf a 4 pg. pdf file discussion on block play

Teaching Ideas

abcTeach – http://www.abcteach.com/Extras/blockconstrct.htm Block/Construction Center sign

Educational Concepts: Blocks - http://www.educoncepts.com/standard_unit_oldfashioned_blocks.html Definitions of unit blocks; samples sets for purchase

Perpetual School: Block Area Ideas - http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/blockideas.html Teacher submitted ideas

Styrofoam Building Blocks - http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_3.html How to use meat trays, etc. to create a set of building toys

Online Games with Blocks

Building Blocks - http://www.clubtheo.com/letsplay/dallas/html/blocks.html online block building game

Block Corner - http://www.blockcorner.com/content.html Simple programming skills to create an online building project

Building Blocks - http://www.kidscomjr.com/art/blocks/blocks.html online block building game

Jayzee Bear Building Blocks - http://www.jayzeebear.com/build/multi/build_block.html Online game with lots of choices for blocks

Product Links

Construction Toys - http://www.constructiontoys.com/ The left column of this page has all the name brands of building sets with purchasing options

Froebel Web - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/7905/gifts/blocks.html Links to purchase the Froebel blocks; includes his theory  of the importance of building block activities

Kiblo - http://www.kiblo.com/ for three dimensional building 

Learning Materials Workshop - http://www.learningmaterialswork.com/ Unusual and unique sets of wooden blocks that would really stimulate creative works

Learning Toys - http://www.elearningtoys.com/build.html A listing of construction/building toys and options to purchase

LEGO - http://www.lego.com/eng/Default.aspx home page

Wooden Blocks by Barclay - http://www.barclaywoods.com/ This is the ultimate block site; examples of creations made by blocks; value of blocks; instructions on how to make your own wooden blocks.

Carol's Favorite - 2005