Block play has been a cornerstone of toddler and preschooler play for generations because it offers so many developmental benefits. Handling blocks builds strength in a child's hands and fingers, and also improves hand-eye coordination. Block play is often a social experience, giving children the opportunity to learn cooperation, sharing, and communication. Using blocks also gives parents and educators a natural setting for introducing basic concepts like color, size, comparison, taking away, adding on, and balancing.