Blocks
Blocks can be used in many ways by playgroup-aged children.
They can be squeezed by a six month old, stacked by a two year old and used to understand concepts
such as tallest, biggest, same and more by a four year old.
Blocks can be bought from quality educational toy suppliers, borrowed from your toy library or made from
shoe boxes, wine casks, smaller boxes and milk cartons. Wooden blocks can be made by sanding
smooth wood offcuts.
Blocks for difference stages
6-8month olds: Soft plastic or fabric washable block to squeeze, handle, bang, throw and exercise small
muscles.
8-12 month olds: Small wooden blocks, stacking nests, cushions and small bean bags.
Cushions and bean bags can be stacked and balanced to practice basic block-building
skills. Objects can be put inside one another. Use words that describe what your child is
doing (e.g. “you have put the block in the cup…”). A nine month old could enjoy kicking
over a pile of cardboard box blocks for practice in foot-eye coordination and balance.
Toddlers: Hand-size blocks, baskets or push along trolleys with small blocks for putting in
and taking out. Praise your child each time he stacks one block on top of the other.
Encourage him to try again. Toddlers enjoy knocking blocks down.
Two year olds: Equal number of blocks (up to 10) for each child and baskets filled with
materials such as fabric squares and small blankets. In different parts of the room have
baskets with the same number of blocks or teddies. Offer trolleys or boxes to load,
unload, push and pull along. Adults can use blocks to separate an area off for solitary
play.
Three year olds: Hollow, rectangular and square blocks for stacking and building. Start
with basic shaped blocks. Three year olds enjoy building structures with wooden blocks.
Add more as children become familiar with each shape.
Four year olds: A set of 400 blocks and a trolley to carry blocks. Children this age start to
name structures. Their spatial awareness is developing.
How to make milk carton blocks
Rectangular blocks: Wash empty milk cartons thoroughly. Push opening down to make a
flat surface. Use 500ml, 1ltr and 2ltr milk cartons for different sized blocks.
Cube blocks: Cut ends off two milk cartons. Fit one end into the other and either leave empty or to make
firmer, stuff one end with newspaper before fitting in other end. For sound, omit newspaper and add
something rattley before fitting in other end.
Tape securely closed and either leave plain or decorate with wrapping paper or coloured contact.
Activities on this playsheet provide experiences in:
Using small &
large muscles
Taking turns
Self directed play
& playing alone
Maths & logic
Language
Concepts &
patterns
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