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Texas Child Care Quarterly (Summer 2005; www.childcarequarterly.com) offered these guidelines for building and maintaining a lively, productive block center:

* Block play require lots of space. Expect it to be the largest of the learning centers in your classroom.

* Try to keep the block center away from major traffic paths so structures are not accidentally knocked over.

* Learn about and support the developmental stages of block play.

* Use a low-nap rug on the floor. The rug will help minimize noise and make floor play more comfortable. It will also help define the space for block play.

* Buy high-quality unit blocks made of hardwood.

* Talk with children abut their block building. Ask open-ended questions and actively listen to the children's responses.

* Work with the children to make the rules for the block center. Rules might cover the size of construction, the procedures for taking down buildings, the use of other classroom materials, and clean-up activiites.

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