Throws to Home Plate

A friend of mine had this interesting question.

When a ball is thrown into the catcher and there is a play at the plate, what is the proper position taken by the catcher. Should the catcher be blocking the plate, or should he/she stand off to the side and make a sweeping tag as the runner goes by?

I was always taught that the catcher blocks the plate, however, this is for little league ages 8 thru 10. Are there safety factors that would merit a child to stand to the inside of the baseline and make a sweeping tag as the runner goes by.

Thanks in advance