Block building, jigsaw puzzles, train sets and junk modelling are such common construction activities in early years that their educational value can be overlooked.
Construction and jigsaw puzzles involve children in fitting shapes together, or into gaps. As they do this, they learn about shape properties, estimate size and develop rotation skills. They begin to predict what will fit where or what new shapes they will create. Children visualise what objects will look like when moved, turned, flipped or combined with other objects.
Some children, including girls and children experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, have fewer opportunities to engage in these valuable construction and puzzle activities, so this provision is particularly important for them.
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