Why blocks? How copying rows of blocks develops physical and cognitive skills

Have you had development checks with your toddler? Have you wondered why you are asked about them arranging blocks?  

Your toddler might sometimes copy you when you make a row of objects; this could be a row of blocks or something else. 

Copying a row of blocks uses physical and cognitive skills 

Being able to copy a row of blocks or objects shows not only that your toddler has the physical skills to pick up, move and place an object, but also the cognitive skills to focus on what you’ve done, remember it and move their own objects to copy you.  

Not as easy as it looks – the importance of attention 

Copying is not simple. To do it, your toddler needs to focus their attention on what they are doing, so ignore other distractions, which is something that they might find difficult at first.  

Reduce distractions when you play together (if you can!) 

Sometimes having time to play with fewer distractions around might help your toddler to develop this skill. So, if you can, have some playtime each day with the TV and music turned off and your phone on silent.