Testing block play as an effective mechanism for promoting early math, executive function, and spatial skills in preschoolers from low-income backgrounds

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impacts of different types of block play (free play and semi-structured play) on children's math, executive function (EF), and spatial skills in a low-income sample. We hypothesized that children assigned to either of the block play conditions would demonstrate greater gains on math, EF, and spatial skills compared to children in a business-as-usual (BAU) condition. Further, we expected that children in the semi-structured condition would experience greater gains in math, EF, and spatial skills relative to children in the free play condition. Children from families with low incomes (N = 242; Mage = 52.01) participated in a randomized controlled trial. Children completed twelve direct assessments of math, EF, and spatial skills at pre-test and post-test. Children were assigned to one of three conditions: free play (Free) with blocks, semi-structured block play (Semi), or business-as-usual (BAU) control. Intervention implementation occurred twice per week for 8 weeks. Preregistered analyses indicated that three intervention effects were statistically significant, two favoring the Free group over BAU: geometry skills (b = 0.37, p = .010) and behavioral regulation (b = 0.23, p = .017), and one favoring BAU over Free: math language (b = -0.18, p = .034). Despite only finding three significant effects, the overall pattern of results suggests positive effects of the block play interventions (i.e., effect sizes were positive for 10 of the 12 outcomes). Implications for practice and future research are discussed.