The Power of Blockplay

This session will cover:

• A short history and principles of blockplay

• What block play offers: reflecting on practice

• A celebration of children’s wonderful ideas

• The practicalities of blockplay organisation.

There will be opportunities for viewers to ask questions.

Dr Deborah Albon is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Roehampton and writer.

Ann Bridges was formerly headteacher of a nursery school and consultant.

Solveig Morris was formerly a headteacher of a nursery and infant school, a local authority inspector for early years education and consultant. She is also a co-ordinator for London ReFocus – a regional network group of Sightlines Initiative.

 Helen Tovey was formerly a headteacher of a nursery school and principal lecturer at the Froebel College, University of Roehampton. She is a Froebel travelling tutor and author of early years publications.

All four presenters have been inspired by the work of Pat Gura who died recently.  Pat, as a researcher for early years education, was particularly known for her contribution to the Froebel Blockplay Research Project (directed by Tina Bruce) in the late 1980s which explored the use of Community Playthings blocks in early years settings. Ann and Deborah, as practitioners, were original members of the research group. The legacy left by this project is relevant today as it was then.