10 Benefits of Construction Play For Children & Early Years
08 Aug, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- 10 benefits of Construction Play for children and Early Years.
- Discover more about our education recruitment services.
Are you curious about the benefits of Construction Play for children and Early Years and how this type of play can enhance child development and early learning experiences? Then this is the guide for you!
Construction Play is a great way to provide children with fun, entertainment, as well as the opportunity to explore, experiment and learn. This method of play involves building, moulding, digging, shaping, stacking - anything related to creating something new. It combines creativity with critical thinking and can have a positive impact on children in their early development.
Discover 10 benefits of Construction Play for children and Early Years as well as some examples of Construction Play and how it can positively impact child development, growth and education.
10 Benefits of Construction Play for Children and Early Years
Benefits of Construction Play for children and Early Years:
- Develop motor skills.
- Enhance maths skills.
- Discover science.
- Think critically.
- Encourage creativity and divergent thinking.
- Improve socialisation and communication.
- Collaborate in an inclusive environment.
- Boost confidence.
- Foster a love of nature.
- Emotional development.
Develop motor skills
Construction Play provides Early Year children with the opportunity to develop a number of skills. By moulding objects and items, children develop their motor skills, hand eye coordination and build strength in the small muscles of their hands and fingers.
Lifting bigger objects, children enhance the muscles in their arms and legs, develop dexterity and improve their spatial awareness. By becoming aware of their surroundings, negotiating space and making precise movements, children can develop vital skills to prepare them for the future.
Enhance maths skills
When playing with wooden blocks, boxes and bricks, children are constantly developing their mathematical and numerical skills as well as their maths vocabulary. Children’s concept of numbers, counting and shapes are introduced in Construction Play, which can give them an understanding of size, space and measurements in a purposeful context.
Construction Play helps children understand the importance of maths in everyday life and encourages children to utilise basic mathematical concepts by sorting, matching and planning.
Discover science
Construction Play can also give students a positive Early Year introduction to science through experimentation and playing with different elements. Building and digging, dropping objects as well as science experiments with sand and water, can help children better understand different elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) learning.
Understanding gravity, balance and how different substances react with each other during Construction Play can help children develop an understanding of science and to question their surroundings. Through experimentation children can begin to recognise elements of the scientific world and discoveries.
Think critically
Construction Play benefits children in a variety of ways by aiding them in their early development and encouraging flexible thinking despite their young age. It is important to give children a sense of control over what they construct or play with, and this in turn encourages them to concentrate, think critically and experiment.
Through trial and error, children can develop their problem-solving skills and really think about purpose. This means that children can learn from their experiments and decisions and apply that knowledge to their next experiment, plan or idea. This helps children build better relationships and develop critical thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Encourage creativity and divergent thinking
Construction Play encourages children to use their imagination and be creative. By designing and constructing unique structures, children engage in new ways to build, explore and experiment.
Construction Play supports out of the box thinking and asks children to put their knowledge and ideas to the test. Whether building with bricks or lego, or stacking crates, children are constantly able to develop their skills through creative engagement.
Through Construction Play, children can help develop divergent thinking which generates creativity and encourages them to explore different possibilities. Divergent thinking is a thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions and allowing the creativity to flow.
Improve socialisation and communication
Construction Play can also help children develop important social skills such as effective communication and listening skills. Children can play together, share their tools and equipment, and build their social skills in the process!
Through Construction Play, children can discover how to communicate with each other, make friends and develop relationships with others. They can take turns talking, listening and sharing ideas, thereby learning from each other's mistakes, success and failures.
Adopting Construction Play can positively benefit children’s early social and communicative skills and help them succeed in many aspects of life. Through these interactions, children learn how to work together, solve arguments amongst themselves and establish friendships.
Collaborate in an inclusive environment
A major advantage of Construction Play is that it not only allows children to build relationships and communicate with others, but it also encourages collaboration and teamwork. As children build together they can share each other's ideas and voice their struggles or challenges.
Together, children may be able to come up with solutions to their problems and support each other to make their creations come to life. Group Construction Play teaches children to cooperate and negotiate which can benefit their development and social skills as they continue to grow.
Through collaboration, children can learn how to work together and create an inclusive and diverse play environment. Construction Play encourages collaboration and teamwork, as well as learning to understand, respect and appreciate differences among peers.
Boost confidence
Construction Play can positively impact children’s confidence in themselves and reassure them that they can do something if they put their mind to it. It takes a lot of effort, hardwork and perseverance for children to successfully build something by hand. The act of creating something and persevering to achieve the end result can leave children with a sense of pride and achievement.
When children come up with their own creations and overcome challenges during the process, they can gain a new sense of confidence and independence. Through socialisation and cooperation with others in the Construction Play area, children can become more confident in their communication skills later in life.
Foster a love of nature
Construction Play is a great way to get children outdoors and surrounded by nature. With the technology-driven games and electronic devices in today’s digital world, Construction Play provides children with the opportunity to play outdoors, invent their own games and solve problems.
Construction Play often involves activities using natural materials, promoting respect for the environment and an understanding of natural materials. Playing with natural or recycled materials, and using tools made out of wood can foster a love for nature.
Children and Early Years can develop an understanding of the importance of taking care of nature and recycling. When children are taught about the importance of using resourced materials and understand where they are from, they are more likely to appreciate and respect those wooden blocks and crates.
Emotional development
Another important benefit of Construction Play for children and Early Years is that it can help them to build resilience and emotional strength. Through trial and error, children will develop feelings of frustration and different emotions if their ideas aren’t successful. It is important that children develop persistence and learn from Construction Play.
Through Construction Play, children can express their feelings and learn to cope with emotions such as sadness, frustration and disappointment.
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