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Discovering and learning art with blocks

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Abstract

The importance of blocks for young children has been recognized throughout the history of the kindergarten movement. Their use as a learning material first appeared in the 16th century as alphabet “dice” designed by Sir Hugh Plat (Godfrey, 1907). Froebel (1782–1852), the Father of the Kindergarten praised their importance as a building activity and applied them as learning agents in his curriculum. Since his teachings and writings, in this area, the advantages and values inherent in blocks have been continuously cited by educational writers (Hendrick, 1988; Hirsch, 1984; Seefeldt, 1984).

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Authors

Additional information

Jeffrey I. Gelfer is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

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Gelfer, J.I. Discovering and learning art with blocks. Early Childhood Educ J 17, 21–24 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623194

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623194

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