The power of play
As children slog though grueling schedules of enrichment and academics, researchers have found a connection between brain development and the very thing kids are getting less of.
By Valle Dwight
Blockheads
Will stacking blocks today lead to a math degree tomorrow? Well, that may be overstating it, but there’s no question that playing with blocks and other open-ended building toys (like Legos) has long-term effects on kids’ learning.
In one study, researchers focused on preschoolers who played with blocks and followed them through high school. They found that by high school the students who had used blocks had higher scores in math (on both standardized tests and class work). Another study found that playing with blocks (or other construction toys) boosts spatial and problem-solving skills in kids.
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