The Acrobat show
When the children gathered on the rug with the idea of putting together a show, they ran into a few difficulties before the game started. The children talked among themselves. I was very close by but they didn’t reach out for help and I didn’t move or say a word. I took a picture of the moment because it looked important. Later, I asked the children what was happening. These were their words:
Josie: We were figuring what kind of a show we were having. We were disagreeing, but we found a way to make it work.
Penelope: I was going to be the kid with the broken leg but changed my mind.
Josie: Then I was going to be it, but also changed my mind.
Sasha: They asked me if I wanted to be it, but I told them no.
Josie: We decided we didn’t have to have a kid with a broken leg.
Once they figured it out they went back to dancing and when more children were waiting for them. The show began.
Teacher Reflection:
Many times when children aren’t given an agenda, their creative side is ignited and we as teachers welcome these moments as ideal learning opportunities for children. Once the children are finished with “appointments” they love coming together for “free” play, but really, they don’t realize how much work they are still doing. It was fascinating to see how they took on roles, organized themselves, solved problems on their own, and had a lot of fun. They were listening to each other, following directions from the “Judge”, and using their social and language skills to keep the energy flowing positively. One more time, I was reminded by the children, to hold back instead of intervening too soon, trying to solve a problem for them, or asking questions in the middle of the game.
–Flora Toro