The teachers have made it a goal to take a small group of children once a month to the Mar Vista farmers market, via the city bus. Each trip is exploratory and at this time, we’re gathering the children’s observations which are different each time. This time the interest was getting their needs met.
The group was very excited to eat free samples of fruit, as was their tradition with their own familles, but we soon noticed that most vendors did not have a “free sample” sign, so the group kept walking. We soon walked by a cherry stand, and the children really wanted cherries. However there was nothing to indicate that he was giving out free samples, so we kept on walking. Then Ewan had a thought:
Ewan: “You know, sometimes when I ask real politely, they will give me a free sample.”
The teachers saw this as an opportunity for a learning experience and wanted to observe what the children knew about getting their needs met in public. We walked back to the cherry vendor, and listened as Ewan demonstrated how to ask politely for some cherries.
Ewan: “Excuse me sir, may we please have some cherries?”
Cherry Vendor: “Well of course you may! Those were excellent manners young man. When you use those kind of manners, the whole world opens up to you.”
The cherry vendor handed Ewan a small bag of cherries for him and the friends. The friends then used their manners to ask Ewan for some cherries, followed by a polite thank you to the vendor.
Reese: “Can I please have a cherry Ewan? … Thank you!”
Feeling confident in working their world, the group wanted to test their success with the next vendor who was selling strawberries. Using the same polite phrase yeilded a strawberry for each.
For the duration of the trip, the children used their manners with the vendors, the shoppers, and each other, confirming that this was a great way to express their wants and needs. The group brought back their experience to circle, and told them of the success they had with manners.
