A heart for wood: Why wooden blocks are superior in daycare centers
Building and constructing are an essential part of everyday life at daycare. Author Margit Franz explains why natural beechwood blocks offer significant advantages over plastic building blocks.
While plastic building blocks are very popular with children and can be found in most daycare centers, wooden blocks promote child development in a unique way. The key difference: beech wood blocks can be used in a variety of ways without restrictions—on their ends, on their sides, or flat. This versatility challenges children to explore the laws of physics.
When building with wooden blocks, children encounter real challenges: an overhanging block tips over due to its weight—a learning moment that plastic building blocks do not offer. Thanks to their interlocking design, plastic blocks stay in place regardless of the laws of physics. The “tipping moment” becomes a “kicking moment” as children test the limits of structural stability.
The quantity of material is particularly important. The concept of “the same material in large quantities” allows children to leave their structures standing and continue building in a process-oriented way. The message “There’s enough for everyone” significantly reduces conflicts.
As children play with wooden building blocks, their construction projects become more challenging over time. They develop two key learning dispositions, according to Margaret Carr: “engagement” and “perseverance in the face of challenges.”
Despite the educational benefits of wooden building blocks, many children opt for interlocking blocks when given the choice. The reason is obvious: bright colors are appealing, and most children are familiar with these blocks from home. Therefore, educational teams should consider which material best promotes focused building processes and children’s play development.
The bottom line, however, remains: when children are given blocks, hopefully they will build something wonderful with them.
You can read the full original article published by TPS here.