This post is part of a blog hop that focuses on why playing isn't "Just Playing."
This is a weekly event that is meant to encourage educators and parents to really think about how children learn through play.
Play IS how children learn.
These materials were set out on the table in baskets and were one of the choices available in the classroom that day.
Children were exploring the materials all on their own.
We may be "just playing", but....
What are the children doing here?
What do you see?
What learning is taking place?
What skills are being practiced/developed?
This post is part of the "Just Playing?" Blog Hop!
Thank you for remembering that young children do not "just play." Young children play. They develop through play. They learn through play. They experiment through play. They grow through play. A child's work is play.
Play is important!
Please take a moment to reflect upon the photos and questions above. I would love for you to share your observations in a comment. I'd also like to invite you to "hop" on over to all of the other bloggers who are sharing photos of children learning through play this week:
If you are looking for more of our “Just Playing?” posts and resources from around the globe, please visit our Pinterest Board.
Are you a blogger? Would you like to join the JUST PLAYING? blog hop community?
You can join the hop via our Facebook Group: Just Playing?
or please contact Amy from Child Central Station for more information.
Jessica
ReplyDeleteThese blocks look similar to Kapla blocks yet longer. I am fascinated by the one girl's use to stack the blocks up the wall as other children were focused on creating a system for the blocks to lay flat on the table. Children testing size and spatial sense of materials.
I see children exploring the items by sorting and examination of spatial relationships with the blocks. I keep going back to the girl stacking the blocks against the wall. I wonder how many tries it took for her to discover a way to get them to stand up? Trial and error and persistence are a big part of learning for children. There are so many skills being built here with simple experimentation of common classroom materials!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Kapla blocks. I'll have to look them up. These blocks are something I gathered at a resource center. I should have mentioned that the wall picture was at a different point then the table. The little girl is in the table photos too. :)
ReplyDeleteOne boy is sorting by color (yellow) and so practicing some early math skills. I love how the little girl is building the blocks against the wall, like Ayn Colsh commented. That must have taken some trial and error!
ReplyDeletesorting, counting, possibly color recognition (depending on conversation)
ReplyDeleteThe little girl stacking the blocks up the wall is discovering various physics principles. Given her age, the fine-motor/muscle coordination required in stacking the blocks that way likely took some very deliberate concentration and gentle, conscious placement! I imagine she practiced a great deal of discipline in sticking to the task as she worked through the challenge of making the blocks remain in position! Great practice in perseverance!
I love how the children playing along side each other in parallel play are teaching and learning from each other. I see spatial awareness, early algebra and geometry as forms come together to make other shapes, patterning, colors, comparing,...... I also see creative problem solving and the results of creative thinking... what if? I love that the children are given free opportunity to explore the materials and are not limited to the space of the table.
ReplyDelete