Construction is a powerful learning experience that is open ended where children begin to construct with a purpose in mind, there are extensive opportunities for skills to be developed and understanding deepened. Construction play is an important and integral part of learning for all age groups and is presented to children in a variety of ways. We have several main elements incorporated into our everyday curriculum, that promote construction - Heuristic play, Block Play, Workshop and Woodwork
Future architects at work
Little engineer at work
Children working together to problem solve
Building confidence, one block at a time
Building friendship and imagination
Ready, set, roll! Exploring motion with ramps and cars
Hands-on learning exploring height and balance
Children developing practical skills and confidence as they explore tools during woodwork workshops
How Children Learn Through Play
Child development theorist Jean Piaget helps us understand that children learn by testing their ideas in the real world. We support this at nursery by giving children plenty of opportunities to explore, experiment and discover for themselves.
In the Sensorimotor stage (0–2 years), children learn through their senses - touching, mouthing, gripping, releasing and exploring how objects behave. This early sensory exploration builds the foundations for later construction skills.
As they move into Constructive Play (2–7 years), children begin to build with purpose, creating structures and combining this with imaginative play. They start to plan, problem solve and communicate their ideas through what they make.
Early childhood pioneer Friedrich Froebel emphasised the importance of play, talk and hands-on experiences. These principles guide our approach, helping children learn at their highest level through meaningful, practical exploration - especially in construction play.
Elements
Heuristic Play
Heuristic play is especially valuable for babies, though children of all ages enjoy it. It involves offering natural, sensory-rich materials that invite children to explore freely using all their senses.
Through handling different objects, feeling textures, exploring shapes, listening to sounds, and moving items around, children develop early skills that support later construction, problem-solving and creative thinking. This type of play encourages curiosity, discovery and deep concentration, helping children make sense of the world in a calm and meaningful way.
Block Play at Our Nursery
Block play is a key part of our Froebel-inspired approach. Froebel believed blocks help children learn about the world in meaningful ways by allowing them to:
- Represent real life – building things they see and experience
- Create patterns and designs – exploring beauty, symmetry and order
- Discover concepts – understanding shape, size, balance, stability and other early maths and science ideas
Blocks are simple, open-ended tools that grow with your child. They encourage creativity, problem-solving, imagination, communication and reflection. Children learn that blocks can symbolise anything they choose, helping develop abstract thinking.
Learning Through Block Play
As children build, they explore:
- Maths & science – balance, gravity, weight, symmetry, cause and effect, and how shapes fit together
- Architecture & design – columns, arches, spaces and structures
- Positive learning habits – perseverance, cooperation and communication with others, managing frustration and taking pride in their achievements
Block play is a key motivational activity supports all areas of the EYFS and the Characteristics of Effective Learning, offering endless opportunities for exploration.
Workshop: Art, Crafts and Creativity
Our self-serve workshop area is filled with recycled and craft materials, giving children the freedom to design, build and create whenever inspiration strikes. This open-access space supports skills such as planning, drawing, cutting and model making, while also encouraging imaginative play.
Children are supported to feel confident in their own ideas and representations. With a wide range of materials such as boxes, tubes, lolly sticks, tape, glue, paper and paint, they can choose the right tools to bring their creations to life and extend their play in meaningful ways.
Woodwork
Woodwork is a core part of the Froebelian approach and is available to children every day. Younger children begin at a simple tinker table with wooden hammers and pegs, while older children work alongside adults using real tools. With clear boundaries and guidance, they learn how to use tools safely and responsibly.
Woodwork and our wider workshop area support creativity, problem-solving, early maths, physical skills, and an understanding of the world. Children also learn how to manage risks safely and take pride in their creations.
Our woodwork bench is well equipped with child sized tools, nails, saws, screws, and a selection of wood and recyclable materials. Children can design, build, and join pieces together, exploring how things work as they create.