The Blocks Program
Recognizing that hands-on materials are essential for young minds to express and explore their ideas, Pratt designed her building blocks in 1913, featuring proportional units and endless possibilities, which have since become an indispensable tool in classrooms worldwide. Blocks not only facilitate creative thinking and problem-solving but also introduce foundational mathematical and scientific concepts.
Early childhood is a time of discovery and play, and blocks are perfect tools for young learners. Starting at the age of two, children experiment with balance, weight, and design concepts through daily block use. They explore mathematical relationships, patterns, and fractional substitutions, integrating dramatic play by creating familiar structures like skyscrapers, airports, and farms.
In kindergarten, first, and second grade, the Blocks Program evolves. Children plan and build more complex structures, often keeping them up for weeks. They work in groups, researching and constructing reality-based buildings, like Grand Central Station, Notre Dame, or the Brooklyn Bridge, reflecting their growing knowledge of the city and the world. Research skills are developed via trips and library use. Math concepts like symmetry, patterns, measurement, and fractions are solidified through hands-on experiences. Block work also integrates geography, language arts, science, woodworking, and art, fostering creativity and intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.
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