Block Play blogs
Find a selection of Block Play blogs below. The various blogs explore topics such as: block play and gender, block play and STEM, block play and maths.
Read More about Block Play blogsBlock Play videos
Outdoor Hub
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mud kitchen book
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Reclaiming snack time:
Community Playthings - Foundations of Learning: Teacher's Role in Block Play
Includes: introducing a culture of block play, space for block play, scaffolding learning, deep block play, observing block play, and clearing up blocks. 27 February 2017 (3mins 46)
Education Scotland - Block Play: Part 1
Includes: a brief history of block play, what is special about block play? How does block play support learning and development? 24 September 2020 (17mins 36)
Education Scotland - Block Play: Part 2
Includes: Unit blocks, the stages of block play and schematic play. 24 September 2020 (19 mins 01).
Education Scotland - Block Play: Part 3
Includes: the role of the adult - setting up block area, accessories and risk assessment. 24 September 2020 (20 mins 18).
Early Education Block play archive film
To mark Early Education's 90th Anniversary they converted some old cine film training reels from their archive. This film shows block play training from 1974 (11 mins 51).
See also
Block Play guides
Guides from the UK & internationally, featuring block play.
Arranged, as much as possible, in chronological order, most recent at the top
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Shop for Block Play & Construction
Muddy Faces specialises in providing UK grown wood resources. We have a developed a Nature Block range that provides opportunities for block play and 'unit block' play.
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Child led play
At Muddy Faces we feel it is vitally important to consider a child-led approach when making activities available to your groups.
We asked Jan White, internationally-recognised consultant and speaker for outdoor provision in the early years, to explain.
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Natural Play Principles
The Natural Play Principles* are designed to articulate a child-centred and nature-focused approach called Natural Play. Natural Play enables children’s natural ways of growing, learning and thriving with the help of the natural world.
* developed in collaboration between Jan White (Early Childhood Natural Play), Suzanne Scott (Sandfield Natural Play Centre), Ann Thompson (Naturally Creative and Sandfield Natural Play Centre) and Menna Godfrey (Quackers Playgroup & Natural Play Centre).
Read More about Natural Play Principles