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Blocks and Mortar

Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed
Activity:  
Blocks and Mortar
Age Group:
Objectives:  
  • Children will use the combination of building blocks and play dough to build structures.
CDA Competency Standard:
II.5.2a
  • Activities and equipment stimulate children’s thinking and problem-solving.
a) Activities and equipment provide a variety of opportunities for cognitive development
Materials: 
  • Wooden building blocks
  • Play dough
  • Plastic spreaders
Procedure: 
  • Invite children to use common wooden building blocks along with play dough to experience something like bricks and mortar. Encourage them to build a wall as high as they can or as long as they can.
Assessment: 
  • Observe and record the child’s experience with the materials. Did they find that using the play dough enabled their play further?
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STEM and block play go hand in hand, but how? 

For young infants block play is a sensory exploration of new colors, shapes, and textures. These sensory experiences support early scientific concepts such as exploration, observation, investigation, and analyzation. The simple act of being introduced to blocks is a scientific moment which helps infants gain more information about the world around them.

​For older infants blocks can become a tool to learn more about the materials themselves and how to interact with them. Toddlers begin to use the blocks to engineer structures, test hypotheses, and problem solve. They stack and sort and build as they play. Effective caregivers will recognize the connections between block play and STEM and will support them with their interactions and extension ideas.
Block play teaches children several different important aspects that are crucial to STEM learning and play. Here are some examples:
Exploration
Is this block heavier than that one?
Problem Solving ​
​This block is too big to fit, this one is too small. I need one that is just right.
Spatial Awareness ​
​All of these blocks can fit into this box, but when I try to put them into this smaller box, some can’t fit.
Engineering​
​I want to make a barn for these farm animals. First I will make the walls and then I will make a roof.
Sensory ​
​How does this block feel, look, taste, smell?
Creativity ​
​What can I build with this box of blocks?
​Persistence 
​I can’t balance this block on the tower, maybe this one will do better.
​No, it didn’t work, so I’ll try this one.
Cooperative Skills 
​We can put the blocks in this container together.
Mathematics ​
​These three blocks are different in size, shape, weight and length.
​Object Permanence ​
​The blocks are in the basket on the shelf and are gone forever OR the blocks are in the basket on the shelf and I will pour them out to play with them.
​Investigations ​
​How does this arched block work? 
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