In the WW Exploration Area, the loft has morphed into a haunted house. With the intention of making space to process the fears of Halloween and the upcoming darkness of the season, the teachers have added a light projector and flashlights and creatures that are found in the dark like spiders, snakes, and bats.
To protect themselves, they’ve added doors, locks, and hiding places.
Jacob: Charlie, can you help lock this door?
Charlie: Ya, we can use wire.
Mica: I’m trying to add the bat.
Jacob: I’m having trouble.
Teacher Susan: I wonder if you could work together?
The friends break for the snack then return to the loft where they scream in delight, shouting ‘p-chew p-chew p-chew’ at ghosts and witches.
Teacher Susan: You know what I’m noticing? They figured out how to lock the door.
Charlie, Mica, and Jacob move downstairs to investigate. This environment has affected the children’s play and they imagined ghosts, vampires, and witches. In this video, the ghouls ‘appear’! Mica sneaks up on the group. (password is: venice1987).
https://vimeo.com/239682007
There are a thrill and a caution attached to this group’s processing of fear. There is a delight in being in the haunted house and running from the ghouls but the shared interest in defence through locks and doors reveals a different side to this play. I’m wondering with the teachers as we consider investigating this fear and how to approach or plan for what is scary with caution while remaining a community. -Kristin