ALTHOUGH BLOCKS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IN A SCHOOLROOM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, INADEQUATE EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE EDUCATIVE VALUES THEY PROVIDE. THEY ARE ADAPTABLE MATERIALS WHICH PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL RATES OF DEVELOPMENT. THEIR USE ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION, RESPONSIBILITY IN AND TO THE GROUP, DESIRABLE SOCIAL ATTITUDES, AND EFFECTIVE WORK HABITS. BLOCKBUILDING STIMULATES ACCURATE OBSERVATION AND FUNCTIONS AS AN AID IN THE TEACHING OF ARITHMETIC, GEOGRAPHY, AND SCIENCE. THROUGH BUILDING WITH BLOCKS CONCEPTS ARE CLARIFIED, PHYSICAL SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED, AND CREATIVITY IS STIMULATED. THE TEACHER PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN REALIZING THE POTENTIAL EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS OF BLOCKBUILDING. SHE MUST (1) PROVIDE MATERIALS, ADEQUATE FLOOR SPACE, TIME FOR BUILDING, AND HER OWN SYMPATHETIC, ALERT INTEREST, (2) DIRECT THE CHILDREN TO COOPERATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY, (3) ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, (4) PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT, AND (5) OFFER APPRECIATIVE RECOGNITION OF GOOD EFFORTS AND WORK WELL DONE. BLOCKS ARE AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF SIZES, SHAPES, AND MATERIALS. SMOOTH WOODEN BLOCKS ARE OF MAXIMUM VALUE AND WILL, IF CAREFULLY LACQUERED AND PROPERLY STORED ON SHELVING CONSTRUCTED FOR THAT PURPOSE, ENDURE FROM 10 TO 20 YEARS OF CONSTANT USE. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR $0.75 FROM NEA, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. (JS)