Extending Block Play

Betty Jones, in her article "Making the Most of the Best Play Materials" in the new Exchange Essentials: Block Play, offers these ideas on extending block play:

"With full-size materials children build spaces they can live in, indoors or out.  Large hollow wooden blocks — expensive and worth the investment — are the most durable and versatile material.  They can be combined in many ways to create houses, sidewalks, walls, and trains....

"Blocks can be extended with a variety of less expensive and free materials — boards, crates, large pieces of cardboard, sheets, and blankets (for roofs and doors).  Loose parts enable children to become inventors and problem solvers: If there isn't enough room on our bus, how can we make it bigger?  If I want my little house all to myself this morning, what can you use to build a little house on your own?  The availability of enough loose parts helps adults manage conflicts between children by suggesting new ideas for their play."

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