Editor’s Note: The topic of building blocks should not bring out indignation in anyone, yet there I was this morning fulminating about a story in the Times about how schools and parents are rediscovering the virtues of building blocks. What’s so upsetting? —
For starters, I was irked by the notion that this is even considered a trend. Despite our digital age, have you ever seen a nursery school or a kindergarten without building blocks? But let’s accept the premise just in case it happens to be right! It’s still annoying that educators have to justify playtime to parents in the most absurd ways. (Did you know, for example, that playing blocks gives children a developmental edge that will one day help them in the business world?) It’s annoying that schools essentially brag about the quality of their block offerings (as only a NYC private school would). And, yes, it’s annoying that parents sit in on seminars on how to play with blocks. (The concept of “too much time on your hands” comes right to mind. As does the suggestion to get on the floor, grab some blocks, and just take it from there.) Okay, that last bit is unfair because if you feel like some block instruction will help you better bond with your child, maybe it will . . . and no one should argue against that.
One more thing: my youngest, who is 7, has not played with blocks—or more advanced forms of building like erector sets, in a long time and of course that’s probably the main reason why I’m upset. How exhilarating would it be to see my son spend more time building something with his hands and wits and spending less time honing his Mario Kart skills? And then there’s the real question: how would he feel about it?
–Eric Messinger
Editor, New York Family (emessinger@manhattanmedia.com)
