Block play is open-ended, and its possibilities are limitless. Even as children grow and develop new interests and abilities, blocks remain an active, creative learning tool.

Around the age of three, children learn how to balance and fit pieces together to build sturdier towers, then bridges and enclosures. Threes and fours begin to recognize designs and patterns, their towers and buildings becoming works of art. In kindergarten and early primary grades, blocks allow children to recreate structures, cities and landscapes from everyday life.

Steps:

1. Make disposable blocks out of small milk cartons. Tape all of the ends together and cover the cartons with contact paper

2. Encourage your toddler to decorate the blocks with crayons or stickers

3. Play a stacking game with your toddler. Praise him each time he stacks one block on top of another

4. Sometimes your toddler may have more fun knocking down the stacks