Building blocks together

1–2 yearsEmotional WellbeingMaterials: Soft blocks or stacking toys

Sit on the floor with your child and a set of blocks. Take turns placing blocks on a growing tower. You place one block and say "my turn," then encourage your child to place the next block and say "your turn." Celebrate together when the tower gets tall, and laugh together when it falls down. Hand blocks to each other, creating opportunities for receiving and giving. This shared building project teaches cooperation and the joy of creating something together. The process matters more than making a perfect tower.

Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.

Building blocks together

How to Do This Activity

Sit on the floor with your child and a set of blocks. Take turns placing blocks on a growing tower. You place one block and say "my turn," then encourage your child to place the next block and say "your turn." Celebrate together when the tower gets tall, and laugh together when it falls down. Hand blocks to each other, creating opportunities for receiving and giving. This shared building project teaches cooperation and the joy of creating something together. The process matters more than making a perfect tower.

Why It Works

Cooperative building activities teach children that working together can be rewarding. This activity emphasizes cooperation, which strongly predicts adult social health (Dunn & Cutting, 1999). Your child is developing problem-solving skills through trial and error, and doing this alongside you teaches them that challenges are easier when shared. The turn-taking pattern builds the foundation for conversation, where people take turns speaking and listening. Strong social connections built in early childhood contribute to better emotional regulation throughout life.

Tips for Parents

Let your child knock the tower down if they want to. Destruction is just as fun and educational as building at this age. If your child wants to build their own separate tower, that is fine. Parallel play is developmentally appropriate. Celebrate the process with encouraging words like "you did it" or "we are building together."

Materials Needed

Soft blocks or stacking toys

Learning Methods

Imitation and ModelingLanguage-Rich EnvironmentBeginning Symbolic Play

Related Activities

Achievement celebration ritual

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Airplane lifts

Physical Wellness

Animal walks

Physical Wellness

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