Lets Paint a Rainbow
Sometimes it is interesting just to walk around the room and see the children engaged in different activities . It can tell you a lot about the developmental stage they are on or where they are ” in life ” and what is heaviest on their mind.
Today many of the kids were playing with the tiny shape blocks that we have . They were building castles and cars. Scaffolding their learning in these play situations is usually pretty easy.
You can also see the mathematic skill of sorting going on here.
What are you building ? ( A car .)
Oh, a vehicle. Where are the wheels ? ( points )
That shape looks like a hexagon.
Where will your car go ? ( to Disney Land )
What will you do when you get there ? ( Have fun . )
As you can see, I didnt ask questions that could be answered with a yes or a no. When you ask a question that can be answered yes or no, the child isnt encouraged to use expressive language.
There are certain areas and learning tools that should be out at all times during the children’s free play. Walking into a room and assuming because something is there that the children are ” allowed ” to play with it is not always true. Here is an example. At our paint easel there is a light above. If the light is on children paint and spend time there. If the light is off, the children never ask. We have not told them that is a signal that center is closed. Sometimes we just forget to turn the light on. I hate getting to the end of the day and realizing that no one enjoyed painting simply because we forgot to turn on the light.
Valeri was painting and said this is her daddy’s work castle.
Today we read a book called” Lets Paint a Rainbow.” So we did.
The structures in the block room are getting more and more complex as the kids learn to problem solve.
Reading to our friends is fun.
