Winter Week I witnessed the children's seamless return to
our classroom routines after a four day Thanksgiving break. Our wall had been stripped of its Fall art
work, so the children set to work creating new "Winter" art
work! We choose cool winter-like colors
and used a different printing implement each day to create beautiful
"snowflakes." As in nature, at
Parker no two pieces of "snowflake art" look alike!
In addition, we read lots of winter books and learned
several winter songs!
The block area bustled all week as the children continued to
explore, construct and create with the Waffle Blocks that we moved into the
room the Week before the Harvest Feast.
From all appearance it was quite apparent that everyone was happy to be
back at school!
Looking
Deeper: Exploration and
Learning through Play
Let's take a closer look at Waffle Block play.
Children are naturally drawn to Waffle Blocks
because they are large and colorful.
Building with Waffle Blocks takes the children far beyond the initial stages
of stacking and layering. Constructing
with these blocks necessitates utilizing sophisticated mathematical discernment
and skill, given the two prong into three prong building block design. Initially, the teachers, (especially Ann)
model and mentor construction for and with the children.
Driven by their great interest and desire, the
children are quick to master this technique and elaborate floor designs begin
to appear all over the rug!
In no time at all our young "contractors"
master the technique for building walls, and their structures become
three dimensional.
Dramatic play and block play always go hand in hand,
so the children quickly inhabit their "open-air structures," engaging
in play that is limited only by the extent and direction of their
imaginations.
Their sense of design never cease to amaze us as the
children create practical uses for their creations as well!
Before week's end they have installed roofs, created
community dwellings and are enjoying one another's company in their cozy little
houses!
Waffle Block play engages and extends skills in all
developmental areas. One has only to "look deeper" at these
photos to observe the ways in which the children have engaged their cognitive
skills (thinking, imagining, mathematical planning), their speech and
language skills (collaborating, role playing), their social/emotional skills
(empowering, interacting, pride, joy and delight in their structures), their
fine and gross motor skills (lifting, connecting and putting away the blocks).
It is a joy and privilege to facilitate and witness the children's growth
and achievements through play!
