Customer Reviews

Exploring Learning: Young Children and Blockplay (New Studies in Education S.)

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This is such a wonderful treatment of early childhood preperation for mathematics and science studies that it is a major shame that it is not more widely available. It should be read by everyone working with children in preschool or primary education.

The treatment of block play as nonverbal communciation is outstanding, as are the chapters on mathematics and science aspects. This would be a valuable tool for anyone attempting to balance the recent trend towards kindergarten worksheets and reading lessons with a more realistic approach to developing young children's learning abilities.

The only caveat is that the team felt obliged to invent their own names for the standard Unit Blocks used, and in some cases have given names identical to standard names to the wrong blocks. But anyone familiar enough with the standard names to be confused will so thoroughly enjoy the material in this book, that they will surely endulge that eccentricity.

Required reading. A must have for any early education library.

Friedrich Froebel was a strong advocate of the idea that children learn by playing with blocks. Blockplay was an important activity in his first Kindergarten. Open ended blockplay offers endless possibilities for creativity and discovery.

This books helps parents and teachers to maximise this experience for children. By understanding the natural inclination of children to perceive, investigate, and assemble blocks you can go beyond free play to forge a learning partnership.