The games for building for children are not just an entertaining way to pass the time. These games, so popular with young children, are authentic educational tools that foster essential skills for their cognitive, emotional, and social development, as pointed out by child psychologist Sara Tarrés. Whether with wooden blocks, plastic building blocks, or more complex kits, the benefits they offer are numerous and long-lasting.
Why Are Building Games Important?
At first glance, it may seem that children are just stacking pieces without a clear purpose. However, behind each tower, bridge or figure, there is a series of lessons being developed:
1. They Stimulate Creativity and Imagination.
The building games allow children to create worlds from scratch. There are no limits. A few blocks can become a house, a castle, or even a spaceship. This freedom empowers their creativity and encourages them to think “outside the box.”
2. Drivers of Logical and Mathematical Thinking
When building, children must make decisions such as which pieces to use or how to place them so they stay balanced. All of this strengthens their logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and basic concepts of geometry and mathematics.
3. They Improve Coordination and Fine Motor Skills.
Handling pieces of different sizes and shapes helps to improve eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills in, key skills in early stages for the development of writing, drawing and other school activities.
4. They Promote Patience, Concentration, and Perseverance.
Completing a construction project is not always easy or quick. It requires time, attention, and a lot of patience. This whole process helps children develop tolerance for frustration and the ability to maintain attention for long periods of time.
5. They Encourage Teamwork and Social Skills.
When you play in a group, children learn to collaborate, negotiate ideas, and resolve conflicts. It is a perfect opportunity to practice communication and strengthen relationships with their peers.
What Types of Building Toys Are There?
There is a wide variety available. Ideally, you should consider the child’s age and interests when choosing the right one:
- Large blocks (such as Mega Bloks or Duplo): ideal for the youngest children because they are easy to handle.
- Pieces like LEGO: perfect for children of school age, as they offer creative and technical challenges.
- Construction kits with gears, magnets, or mechanical parts: designed to stimulate logic and STEAM thinking (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).
- Games made of natural wood: they provide a unique sensory experience sensory experience and tend to be more sustainable.
How Can You Get the Most out of Building Games at Home?
- Support without steering.Let the child lead the building process. However, you can offer your help if they ask for it or need it.
- Create challenges: suggest that they build something specific, such as a bridge that can support a certain weight or a tower of a certain height.
- Talk about what you do: ask and comment about your a11> process helps them to reflect and express their ideas.
- Relate the game to real experiences: for example, if you build a house, talk about how they are built in real life.
Learn more about our teaching methodology
At Casvi International American School, we understand the educational value that they have the building games for children. For that reason, we actively incorporate into our educational approach experiential learning, combining experiential learning with American methodology and the rigor of the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Our classrooms are equipped with materials that stimulate creativity and critical thinking from an early age. Because we know that, by playing, we also build the future.
If you would like to learn more about our teaching methodology, please visit our website or contact us.
