The Block Workshop

Fall 2021

Angela De Vincenzo, Reading + Riding’s Program Director, started her career in education at the renowned City + Country School in Greenwich Village, where unit blocks were created and invented by the school’s Founder, Caroline Pratt. Angela’s extensive history and knowledge of working with children and teachers (with a focus on blocks) has allowed her to consult and develop block programs in many schools across the city and the country.

The Block Program is geared for children ages 3-4. In small groups, children will gather and meet to discuss building plans and concepts. Local field trips will be the fodder for building inspiration and themes. Children will recreate the buildings visited with particular attention to realistic details. As children plan and build, they will develop language skills and story-telling narrative, while also learning how to problem solve and negotiate with their building partners. Dramatic play will naturally ensue as the children interact, work, and play as their structures come to life. This collaborative process is an important, healthy, developmentally-sound experience that grounds children, while giving them limitless opportunity with materials and truly open-ended play.

In addition to the unit blocks, children will work with paint, paper, clay and woodworking - such additional materials allow for deeper contextual thinking whilst making the work more purposeful, authentic, and meaningful.