11/19/2024
The RHS building area provides a natural context for exploring the physical world. Children experiment with structures and observe the outcomes of their building efforts. Through this process they learn about mass, weight, proportionality and balance, and can use their new concepts to plan and predict outcomes. Building together also provides a space where children are fostered to have positive socio-emotional interactions.
In our mixed age classroom, students go through various stages of building. As they work through the learning of one stage, they are ready to move on to the next stage of play. As skills advance, it is typical for children to combine several stages. The stages are developmental—each one building on the last—but children advance at their own rate regardless of their age.
* Stage 1: Discovering building materials
* Stage 2: Simple structures/ stacking
* Stage 3: Complex building
* Stage 4: Making Enclosures
* Stage 5: Creating Bridges or Arches, and exploring with proportions, height and weight.
* Stage 6: Combining Enclosures and Bridges
* Stage 7: Building with Patterns and Symmetry
* Stage 8: Building Block Structures and other materials that represent objects for Pretend Play
Lastly, the building area is an excellent way to teach, practice and support socio-emotional skills while they build together. Over the years, our students have built some amazing structures that could only be done if they plan and build together. Playing is the building area presents the opportunity to take turns, make choices and problem solve together. It can also lead to increased sharing, expression of feelings and working well with others.
01/26/2024
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12/28/2023