Invitation to Build a Rainforest+Jungle STEM

We read the book Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner (Author), Christopher Silas Neal  (Illustrator) where they discover the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth: the rainforests. After reading the book we invited the children to create their own Rainforest and Jungle. To set this up, we used our @discountschoolsupply Earth Natural Scene Set, @tenderleaftoys Safari Collection, natural wooden tree blocks with and without bark, @openplaytoys cones, faux palm leaves/grass squares/succulents, baskets, & wood craft rounds.

Block play offers a wealth of developmental advantages for children. It significantly enhances physical development by improving #motorskills as children lift, transport, push, & place blocks. It also builds #spatialawareness, allowing them to interact with the landscape & understand space & safety while constructing structures. From a #socialemotional perspective, #blockplay promotes collaboration & communication as children work together, share ideas, & plan their creations. They also learn negotiation & conflict resolution when sharing equipment & navigating disagreements. Successfully completing structures boosts self-esteem & confidence, while challenges like collapsing structures foster resilience & emotional regulation.

Cognitively, it boosts creativity & imagination by allowing children to incorporate natural elements into their builds. They engage in problem-solving & critical thinking while figuring out how to create stable structures, testing balance & stability. This type of play also naturally introduces #STEM concepts like shapes, size, gravity, & stability, laying a strong foundation for future learning. This play encourages language development through vocabulary expansion as children narrate their play & describe their creations, & it enhances storytelling & narrative skills as blocks become props in imaginative scenarios.

Overall, building through block play provides a rich & dynamic learning experience, fostering a wide array of skills & contributing to children’s holistic development.