[Building blocks for 6-year-olds] Play to foster "thinking skills" that will be important even in elementary school!

"The time you spend thinking and creating for yourself will become your strength."

Until around age 5, children enjoy building magnificent structures with blocks and engaging in imaginative play.
At age 6, with the start of elementary school, there's a gradual shift in how they play and their lifestyle.

They might have more opportunities to interact with games and tablets, and less time for outdoor play.
Some parents might feel, "They seem to be playing with blocks less often now."

However, it's precisely around age 6 that "hands-on, thinking play" holds significant meaning.

Block play, where children experiment, innovate, and create shapes,

・Thinking skills
・Concentration
・Creativity
・Perseverance

It fosters a foundation that leads to future learning.

This time, we will introduce block play recommendations for around age 6!

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Characteristics of 6-Year-Old Block Play

Around age 6, you'll start to observe the following:

・Building after designing in their head
・Tackling complex structures
・Playing with self-imposed rules or themes
・Engaging in focused play for extended periods
・Repeatedly making improvements with a "I want to do this better" mindset

This is a period where their inclination to "create while thinking" becomes stronger, rather than just building.

Furthermore, the experience of trial and error in figuring out "how to make it work" will connect to their learning in elementary school and beyond.

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Block Play Ideas Recommended for 6-Year-Olds

① Building after Drawing a Blueprint

Around age 6, children can not only build on a whim but also visualize the finished product before creating.

For example,

・Castles
・Secret bases
・City building
・Course creation

It's recommended to sketch these simply on paper before building.

"Where should the entrance be?"
"Let's connect the bridge here!"

By thinking in this way, their composition and planning skills will also develop.

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② Conditional Challenge Play

For 6-year-olds, who are starting to enjoy "thinking play," games with added rules are perfect.

For example,

・Building a tower with only 10 blocks
・Building the longest bridge
・Creating a path where a marble rolls all the way to the end

and so on.

By experimenting with "how can I meet the conditions?", problem-solving skills are also nurtured.

Also, games where family members or friends take turns stacking blocks, and the one who knocks them down loses, can be exciting!

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③ Collaborative Project Play

Playing with friends or family to "complete one work" is also recommended.

By dividing roles and consulting with each other while playing,

・Communication skills
・Cooperation
・The ability to listen to others' opinions

are naturally acquired.

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④ Building by Observing "Real Things"

Around age 6, children can also enjoy playing by observing and recreating actual buildings and vehicles.

For example,

・Stations
・Bridges
・Towers
・Shops

By observing "what shape is it?" while building, attention to detail and spatial awareness are also nurtured.

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The Value of Analog Play in the Digital Age

Games and videos provide immediate answers and results.

Block play, on the other hand, offers a time for children to think and experiment for themselves:

"How should I build it?"
"Why did it collapse?"
"Let's try again!"

Because it doesn't offer immediate completion,

・The ability to try and err
・The ability to concentrate and engage
・The ability to innovate independently

are cultivated.

Moreover, the experience of physically touching and feeling the weight and shape while playing connects to important sensory experiences that are hard to gain solely through digital means.

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Important Ways to Interact During 6-Year-Old Block Play

Focus on the "Process of Thinking" rather than just "Amazing!"

Around age 6 is when children increasingly develop their own unique ways of doing things.

"You really put thought into this part!"
"You redid it so many times!"

By acknowledging the process, not just the outcome, the act of "thinking" itself becomes enjoyable.

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Create "Time for Free Experimentation"

As children enter elementary school, more of them become busy with lessons and studies.

That's why time where they can "build anything" and "experiment freely" is extremely important.

Precisely because block play is a "play without a right answer," it nurtures children's imaginative power.

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Block Play: A Time to Develop "Non-Cognitive Skills"

In block play for 6-year-olds,

・Creativity
・Concentration
・Thinking skills
・Perseverance
・Problem-solving skills

and other "non-cognitive skills" that cannot be measured by test scores are also nurtured.

Especially in this digital age,
the "experience of thinking for oneself and creating with one's hands" is a valuable learning time for children.

Please encourage your 6-year-old to enjoy block play!