Early Math Counts

“Here’s a circle!” calls out two-year-old Eleanor.

“My mom calls that a cylinder, and it goes over here,” says four-year-old Nadia.

“A silly-der?” Eleanor is puzzled.

The room erupts in laughter as Nadia gently corrects her: “No, Eleanor, it’s a cylinder.”

Eleanor gamely gives it another try. “Oh, a silly-her?” she asks with a giggle, happy to be the center of attention.

This playful exchange continues, with Eleanor determined to say “cylinder” correctly, much to the hilarity of her friends.

Finally, she nails it: “Your mom calls this a cylinder!” Applause and dancing follow in a lighthearted celebration of Eleanor’s success.

In this vibrant block center gathering, we have all of the ingredients for deep learning. Movement, physical touch, mentoring, and experimentation are all at play.

When mistakes happen, they’re met with laughter rather than frustration and friends are always ready and willing to lend a hand.

This rich environment fosters conversation, cooperation, and problem-solving as the children engage in hands-on learning while meeting important educational standards. 

It’s nearing lunchtime, and the children in the block area have somehow caught a case of “pick up” fever.

This is rare, as many of you know. We usually have one older child who assumes the role of “organizer.” This is the child who likes to put the unit blocks in a specific place and in a specific order, while the younger children struggle just to find room on any available surface.

So when I see the blocks being organized on the shelves by attributes, I stop to observe the collaboration and child-led learning that is unfolding in front of my eyes.

“The long blocks go here,” Nadia instructs her younger friends. “If you have two shorter blocks, you can make a long block. See?”

“We can put two triangles together to make a square and stack them here,” Sasha chimes in.

The excitement in the block area is contagious as the children collaborate, explore, and learn together.

As I observe Saaliha, I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind. She carefully experiments with the blocks, turning them this way and that, determined to find the right fit. It’s deep thinking at its finest. When she sees a friend successfully place a block, she mimics her friend’s technique and—success! There’s no grand celebration, just a quiet determination to find another matching block to solidify her learning.

This is where the magic of hands-on learning happens. Saaliha’s brain might not have grasped these concepts on paper, but the tactile experience of handling blocks and using vocabulary in context has helped her put the pieces of the puzzle together.

As educators, we need to focus on making learning real. The Early Learning Standard is met, but more importantly, Saaliha is developing critical cognitive skills in a way that feels natural and engaging.

These vibrant moments of play offer invaluable opportunities for observation. During these times, we can step back and truly witness the learning that is happening in front of us. 

The block center is often the epicenter of these play buzz moments. Blocks are universally appealing and developmentally appropriate for young children, making them an essential resource in any early childhood setting.

If your program doesn’t have a dedicated block area, consider advocating for one. A well-designed block center can enrich the life of every child and help foster the development of a wide variety of skills.

If you already have a block area, try to carve out longer periods of time for uninterrupted play. Get down on the floor, observe the learning, and check off the early learning standards that the children are meeting. You’ll see so much happening in that corner of your early childhood center, from math and science to geography and art!

The block center is more than just a space for play: It’s a rich environment for building cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

Through block play, children learn about shapes, sizes, and spatial relationships—all while practicing essential communication and cooperation skills.

Let’s embrace these moments of discovery and learning. By fostering a playful atmosphere, you are not only meeting educational standards but also fostering a lifelong love of learning.

So, let’s dive into the block corner and watch our young learners thrive!