SCARBORO DAY CARE CENTER

Rationale:
The block center is one of the most important centers. The various shapes and sizes of the blocks provide the unstructured, raw materials which children can use to create and recreate their experiences and imaginings.

Skills Developed in the Block Center:

• Classification of various sizes and shapes
• Manipulation for muscle development
• Organizational skills
• Language development
• Mathematical and spatial relationships
• Gravity and leverage concepts
• Basic concepts of weight, shape, proportion, and balance
• Problem solving skills
• Creative dramatics
• Human relations skills - respect for ideas and rights of others
  

Equipment and Materials:

• Solid wooden blocks (assorted sizes and shapes)
• Hollow wooden blocks
• Wooden boards(various sizes and lengths)
• Accessory materials(pipe stem cleaners, people, vehicles, and animals)
  

Implementation Procedures:

• Design block center area away from room traffic areas and in full view of teacher.
• Store blocks, boards, and other building materials on low shelves.
• Use rugs to cushion noise level.
• Allow special project block structures to stand several days.
• Teach children to put blocks away carefully after use.