On Back to School Night, parents were offered areas in which to work to discover the properties of materials their children use each day. In the block area, a provocation was left by the parents for the children to discover.
Appointments were carefully made so that children would discover their parent’s work.
Jake peeks at the ‘surprise’ left by his dad Jeffrey and other parents in the block area.
The sophistication of the provocation inspired a lot of dialogue and planning. The children also enjoyed the ‘surprise’ effect of discovery.
Many discussions ensued about design and balance, height and surprises.
The children began working with the structure and decided to leave the tallest tower up in the back of the platform where they hid surprises for each other.
Then, they began to build up. This is an important stage of block building, signifying an understanding of space, material capabilities, and planning. The children referenced the remaining provocation while creating their ‘towers’.
Many variations of ‘towers’ were built and continue to be built in the block area as a result of the inspiration the children took from their parent’s surprise.
FLORA’S REFLECTION:
The children’s work in the block area is evolving day after day. From early introductions to the space and the materials available in it as well as using strategies like the provocation left by parents on Back to School Night, the children continue to build their understanding of how to use and connect these materials and create significant experiences. The children are developing what is known as concept formation and social interactions (higher mental functions). The children are developing their own “classroom culture through self-regulation: by being able to select work, use materials thoughtfully, and maintain them in orderly fashion” (Powerful Children by Lewin- Benham, 2008).