Cutiosity!

Baby Play

We've noticed an increased interest in baby play lately and extended this play by staging a baby wash outside. We noticed that several of the children were later attempting to change the doll's clothes and put them down for a nap. We joined in the play by talking quietly when the babies were "sleeping." We asked them if the babies were sick or just taking naps, and they told us that they were sleeping (great language practice). JL was the first to move his baby close to him for a 'snuggle.' AN placed his baby nearby for a nap. Once the babies woke up we talked about changing their diapers and keeping them clean. The boys immediately began to wipe and clean the dolls. Playing with dolls offers wonderful opportunities for the following types of growth:

-broadening perspective of others (babies need a caretaker)

-ceveloping compassion (Baby is hurt and crying - how can we help?)

-practicing complex thinking (what happens when the baby is hungry and we have no food?)

Small figures are great to take on trips too, for deep imaginative play in small spaces.

The Fountain

After seeing how much the children enjoy washing their hands and playing in the water as it trickles we decided to add a small fountain for them to use. After cleaning it (the brown on the bottom is paint, not dirt : ) ) we set it up and placed some smooth river rocks nearby. JL and AV were engaged immediately, but CM kept her distance, watching and waiting.

J was interested in the sound of the water at first and kept repeating, "the water falling, the water falling!" while AV said, "'sat, 'sat?" (what's that?). They picked up the rocks and held them under the falling water as AV tried to lick the wet stones. J then began to count the rocks that are there. J then says he is washing clothes and washing his hands.

Eventually C attempted to push the yellow stepstool close to the table and became frustrated that she didn't have the access that she wanted. She finally positioned the stool where she wanted it and grabbed a few rocks and shook them, which AV imitated. C hit the rocks against the side of fountain and then tried to lick them. C and AV held the rocks under the falling water and CM shook them near her ear afterward. From time to time the children were concentrating so intently that the room became quiet and all you could hear was the water trickling.

J asked where the water goes and we told him that there is a small motor that cycles the water through--no new water comes in. J said that it is rain. C moved away from the table and began to dance, possibly to the sound of the water trickling as there was no music playing at the time. She continued to dance around the room until AV and J left the fountain area, when she returned to the fountain and began taking rocks out and placing them on the rocking chair. AV found them so C moved them to another hiding spot. J moved back to the fountain and asked how the water was falling down.

Later in the day, when we announced that is was naptime, C immediately picked up a basket, placed the rocks inside, said "Night night!" and walked into the den where she sleeps. We didn't have the heart to take them from her and so she slept with her beloved rocks. : )

We extend this play outside by placing the rocks in a large tub of water and are looking at ways we can help the children create their own waterfall. Any ideas are always welcome!

Bubbles!

The children never tire of bubbles. They love to spend time reaching for them, chasing them and popping them. It's a great activity with which to share space and enjoyment.

We look forward to our neighbor N's visits when we're outside. It's always nice when the children can expand their circle of friends!

More Funky Fashion

The Salon

AV: JL, What would you like to have done today, the usual?

AV: Ut oh, here comes my two o'clock appointment! She's early and I'm not sure what to do with those curls.

AV: Okay now J, do you want it a little fuller on top or would you rather I thin it out?

AV: I'll give you a little eye massage while you think about it.

JL: That feels great! Let's go with the fuller look.

FF and Her Beloved Tree

We just found these photos beautiful. Mom is in the background and F is in her favorite spot- the red bud tree. She absolutely loves to climb and sit on this tree and spends a great deal of time on or under it.

In the spring this tree is covered in beatuiful purple blooms and we felt these were too nice to keep to ourselves. As we mentioned in the Dirt post the children are deeply drawn to the earth's playground and we allow them plenty of time for play and discovery.

Playing in the Dirt!

The relationship that children have with the natural world is obvious to the casual observer, and these pictures illustrate beautifully the desire that children have to explore natural materials. Unfortunately, we can't always allow dirt play as it can get tracked inside so we like to set up the environment ahead of time.

CM in particular is quite happy if she's playing with dirt, rocks, bugs or twigs! On this day the gate that blocks off this former garden area wasn't in place and C was immediately drawn to the exposed dirt, sitting down in the middle of it. Once we saw the joy she was experiencing we didn't have the heart to put a stop to it and she was soon joined by AV. Together they sat and slowly sifted dirt onto their skin and clothes. They seemed to be most interested in the way the dirt felt falling and layng on their skin and would rub each others dirt-covered arms. FF eventually joined in, having watched the other two children for awhile, which is how she typically likes to approach new experiences.

We are intriugued with the situations/materials that bring the children together and dirt, water, light or any natural/organic material are powerful uniters. We almost never have to direct their attention - just expose them to the environment. There has been a great deal of research on the benefit of organic materials to developing children. These benefits range from sensory input for the brain to helping the eye to distinguish color. You can support this at home by simply offering a small box of dirt, rocks, and a few spoons or other digging implements. A small fountain or tub of water is good too. Another wonderful organic play idea is to offer driftwood or large branches and fabric for making small forts and enclosures or to just drape fabric over low-hanging tree limbs.

Taking a Shower

We added this yellow stepstool to the daycare setting after observing that the children like to have something to stand on at the window, in the bathroom and even the play kitchen. On this day JL, who often instigates symbolic play, tells us that he is going to take a shower. We tell him to go ahead and get started because he's dirty and will need to go to work soon. He looks at the stool and then positions it in the middle of room. He stands on the top step and begins to act out taking a shower, using soap and paying particular attention the the armpits. When he's finished he steps down and goes to work.

This construction of reality is and important developmental step and we are always intrigued by J's ability to create an imaginary world where he can control and test out whatever is on his mind. We support this symbolic play as it is the foundation of abstract thinking. It also allows us to connect other children to this type of play so that they can all engage in this important process.