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A boy and girl peek through an Outlast block construction
Case study
Child development with Outlast
How can Outlast Furniture support a rich, play-based outdoor learning environment?
two boys climbing a tree
Article
What is open-ended play?
If you’re concerned about whether open-ended play still has a place in our children's busy lives, consider this: it’s an approach that can be applied anywhere, and the benefits will last them a lifetime.
a boy is experimenting with wooden unit blocks and ramps
Article
Physics in pre-school
Looking for a fun way to teach STEM to young learners? Discover how ramps can help children develop critical thinking skills in physics, engineering, and maths.
A child plays with simple materials
Training resource
Open-ended play
When free to experiment with the simplest materials, children find ways to express and develop their thoughts in imaginative play.
a toddler building with wooden blocks
Article
Block play and child development
There are three main concepts that a child develops when building with blocks. The first one is stacking, then we’ve got bridging. Finally, we begin to create enclosures.
A girl is building a house out of wooden unit blocks
Article
Froebel’s gifts and block play today
When Friedrich Froebel gave his cousin a set of wooden blocks for her two young sons as a present and asked her to observe how they played with them, he gave us two gifts in one – a practical resource designed for children’s learning and…
young boy playing with blocks and a toy truck
Article
The importance of play for learning
Childhood is a time for, well, childhood! It’s not a preparation for school or adulthood. It’s a time for allowing children to go at their own pace, giving them the time they need to explore, manipulate, discover, and practise newly…
Toddler lying on his tummy playing with small wooden blocks
Article
Open-ended play at home!
How can young children’s waking hours be both happy and purposeful, despite the stress of our times?
girl playing with wooden block as a telephone
Article
Block play and spatial skills
Many early childhood experts have documented the value of blocks for children’s learning, offering evidence that when children are given time to plan, construct, and create with blocks, they develop socially, emotionally,…
Children play with blocks
Video
Foundations video
Instructive video illustrating the value of block play. Perfect for staff development.
Three laughing children playing with Outlast blocks
Training resource
Outlast activity guide
Children learn best through hands-on manipulation of materials and from having meaningful experiences. Here are ideas to help you guide your children into creative play with Outlast blocks.
A teacher helping children play with blocks
Video
The adult’s role in block play
More than 100 years ago Carolyn Pratt, inventor of the Unit Block, founded City & Country School in New York City. Still today their curriculum is built around learning with blocks. Here are some time-tested tips for teachers and…