Research LibraryVerdine, B. N., Golinkoff, R. M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Newcombe, N. S., Filipowicz, A. T., & Chang, A. (2014 (online September 23, 2013; May-June 2014 issue)). Child Development, 85(3), 1062-1076. DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12165.
Read the original source →A study of 102 three-year-olds found that performance on a block-construction spatial-assembly task was related to early mathematical skills, suggesting a link between spatial and early numeracy development at this age.
Supports building/construction toys as a reasonable gift direction for this age band, on developmental grounds -- but this is an association between a task and a skill, not proof that buying a block set improves math ability.
An association between task performance and early math skills, not a causal claim -- does not show that purchasing or playing with a particular block set improves mathematical ability.
Last reviewed September 15, 2026.