Chelsea Day School
Written by: Pat Feiger - Head 3's Teacher and Sharon Nohan - Associate 3's Teacher
When our classroom discovered "sculptures" we did not think it would take over almost every activity we offered the children.
Boxes were used as blocks and became a lighthouse, a parking garage, an airport, a house, a school… and a lighthouse again, and again, and again.
“What do you think the children are learning through building these structures?”
Children problem solve: Sometimes it is intentional: “I want to build a parking garage. How do I do that?” Other times it is in-the-moment: "To go higher and add to one side, what can I use?"
Children use their imagination: Children can follow their own plan, or they can share a friend’s vision and work together to create something they never thought of.
Language development: Building with blocks offer many ways for young dual language learners to explore, express themselves, and demonstrate what they are learning across languages.
Self-esteem: Children discover that they have ideas and that they can bring their ideas to life by creating, transforming, demolishing, and re-creating something unique.
Math skills: Important concepts and skills are practiced and strengthened through block building, including length, measurement, comparison, number, estimation, symmetry, balance.
Development in all areas: Block play requires fine and gross motor skills. Blocks enhance children’s problem-solving abilities, mathematics skills, and language and literacy abilities. And constructing “creations” builds selfesteem and feelings of success.
The children seem very intrigued by lighthouses. We read The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, by Hildergarde Swift and the children learned that this little lighthouse exists and it is in New York City, under the George Washington Bridge. Please check this information; we suggest a family visit when the weather is nice.
As we build and rebuild a lighthouse with the boxes, the children have been trying to figure out how the light on top works, and if we could have a light on the top of the structure in the classroom.
As we continue our discussion and exploration about lighthouses, the children are coming up with ideas on how to get the boxes to stay in place as a lighthouse. Stay tuned!
