Block building is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum. Students learn on multiple levels as they move from stacking and balancing blocks in the kindergarten program to the creation of intricate structures that represent knowledge attained from in-depth studies conducted later in the year. Used on a regular basis, blocks provide the means for children to express their understanding of the social and physical world around them and foster skills in negotiation, cooperation and collaborative problem-solving.  We began learning about our block center by exploring the different blocks and helping to organize the blocks.  The children each helped to trace blocks, and create a “map” of the block shelf to help us find blocks, and to put them away neatly.  We then learned that we can use teamwork to build one structure together rather than building many small structures that may run out of blocks.  This can be very difficult as we have to be able to compromise and negotiate with others.  We are learning about teamwork and cooperation.  Look what we have built: