We recently heard an inspiring journalistic piece on the Morning Edition of National Public Radio (NPR) -- Behold the Humble Block! We've long touted the benefits of block play, and we were delighted to have our philosophy validated once again!
In an age where electronic educational devices are increasingly dominating children's playtime, we'd like to revisit the benefits of what NPR calls "the anti-app" -- a simple set of blocks that transforms play into real learning opportunities.
THE MATH EDGE
Studies such as Building Blocks and Cognitive Building Blocks have shown that blocks are a powerful tool that helps teach math beyond the obvious counting and measuring that goes on subconsciously in typical building block play. Complex concepts such as fractions and multiplication are gently introduced. There are even elements of algebra present! For example, when kids try to bridge the gap between two blocks, they are essentially "solving for X".
THE LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION EDGE
Early childhood studies on language acquisition and attention have demonstrated that children who play with blocks on a regular basis have better cognition and language skills than those who don't -- and that there is a strong correlation between unstructured play such as block play and learning. What makes block play special is that it provides a wonderful platform for children and adults to engage with one another. So not only is it honing math and cognition skills, but offers a fun venue to develop language and social skills that teaches brainstorming, cooperation, and patience.
Today, blocks are a staple material in preschools and kindergartens throughout the USA, but unfortunately, block play overall is declining. Free play time with blocks is chipped away by formal academic exercises, electronic gadgets such as iPads, and of course television. We are hoping there is a renaissance in open-ended block play. It's amazing that such a simple, basic toy can interweave math, science, language, and social skills in such a beautifully sophisticated way.
If you would like to learn more about the benefit of block play, please see NPR's Behold the Humble Block!
How do your children play with blocks? Do you see your child's imagination and problem solving skills emerge during block play? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Hivi karibuni tulisikia kipande cha uandishi wa habari cha kuhamasisha kwenye Toleo la Asubuhi la Redio ya Umma ya Kitaifa (NPR) - Tazama Bloki ya Unyenyekevu! Kwa muda mrefu tumekuwa tukitangaza faida za kucheza kwa vitalu, na tulifurahi kuona falsafa yetu ikithibitishwa tena! Katika enzi ambapo vifaa vya elektroniki vya elimu vinatawala zaidi wakati wa kucheza wa watoto, tungependa kurudi kwenye faida za kile NPR inaita "anti-app" - seti rahisi ya vitalu vinavyobadilisha kucheza kuwa fursa halisi za kujifunza. "Kuchunguza kwa ""Kujenga Blocks"" na ""Kujenga Blocks Cognitive"" imeonyesha kwamba blocks ni chombo nguvu ambayo husaidia kufundisha hisabati zaidi ya hesabu ya wazi na kupima kwamba huenda juu subconsciously katika kawaida kujenga block kucheza." Dhana ngumu kama vile sehemu na kuzidisha huanzishwa kwa upole. Hata kuna mambo ya aljebra yaliyopo! Kwa mfano, watoto wanapojaribu kuunganisha mapengo kati ya vitalu viwili, kwa kweli "wanatatua X". "Utafiti wa utoto wa mapema juu ya upatikanaji wa lugha na umakini umeonyesha kuwa watoto ambao hucheza na ""blocks"" mara kwa mara wana ujuzi bora wa utambuzi na lugha kuliko wale ambao hawachezi, na kwamba kuna uhusiano mkubwa kati ya ""unstructured"" kucheza kama vile ""blocks"" kucheza na kujifunza." Mchezo wa block ni muhimu kwa sababu ni jukwaa la kuvutia kwa watoto na watu wazima. Kwa hivyo sio tu ni kusafisha ustadi wa hisabati na utambuzi, lakini pia inatoa mahali pazuri pa kukuza lugha na ustadi wa kijamii ambao unafundisha msukosuko wa akili, ushirikiano, na uvumilivu. Leo, blocks ni vifaa vya msingi katika shule za chekechea na shule za chekechea kote Marekani, lakini kwa bahati mbaya, block kucheza kwa ujumla ni kupungua. Wakati wa bure wa kucheza na vitalu huondolewa na mazoezi rasmi ya kitaaluma, vifaa vya elektroniki kama vile iPads, na bila shaka televisheni. Tunatumaini kuna renaissance katika kucheza block wazi-mwisho. Ni ajabu kwamba kichezeo rahisi kama hicho kinaweza kuunganisha hesabu, sayansi, lugha, na ustadi wa kijamii kwa njia ya hali ya juu sana. Kama ungependa kujifunza zaidi kuhusu faida ya kucheza block, tafadhali angalia NPR ya Angalia Humble Block! Watoto wako huchezaje na mawe? Je, unaona uwezo wa mtoto wako wa kuwa na mawazo na uwezo wa kutatua matatizo unapozidi kuongezeka wakati wa kucheza? Tungependa kusikia maoni yako!