Constructive play
When children engage in constructive play they develop the ability to enquire, research, explore, generate, and modify their own working theories about the natural, social, physical, and material worlds.
As they create, children begin to understand the nature and properties of a range of materials. They develop spatial understandings, including an awareness of how objects can be fitted together and move in space. They develop mathematical concepts such as numbers, length, weight, volume, shape, and pattern for meaningful and increasingly complex purposes.
During constructive play, children have many opportunities to re-create experiences and express their own ideas about the world.
Some ways for adults to support children's learning
- Provide a range of equipment and resources for the children to choose from and use in a variety of ways
- Ensure there is plenty of space for the activities, to allow children room to expand their play as they need to
- Actively encourage constructive play and assist with suggestions and advice where appropriate
- Encourage children to talk about their play. Use language which will extend children's thinking and understanding
- Support and encourage children's mathematical learning.
In this section