During an afternoon appointment, a group of children entered the Building Area and were welcomed with a sign that invited them to add to the existing structure and repair the pieces if that fell. This experience was filled with a series of encounters that challenged the children to problem solve. Below are a few vignettes:
Arrow and Leo both go to the shelf to get a unit block.
Leo: Hey, I want one of these.
Arrow: I need one.
Both get a block in their hand. Leo tries to take the unit block from Arrow’s hand while crying. Arrow turns her body away from Leo.
Leo: I was getting that first. I was getting that!
Arrow: Well, I need it.
Leo: But you can use those ones (pointing to the two remaining unit blocks on the shelf).
Arrow: Okay, I will give you this one.
Arrow works with Charlie to stack bricks to create a tower.
Leo: I need one of those bricks.
Arrow: Well, I’m using the other one (she goes to the shelf to get the last brick).
Leo: I need one. I need one (while crying). Arrow is not sharing the bricks.
Teacher Susan: You can let her know you would like a turn when it’s available.
Arrow: I’ll let you know when it’s available.
Leo: You know the rules! You need to share!
Teacher Susan: Leo, the agreement is if Arrow wants to use the brick, she can use it, and she will let you know when it’s available.
Leo: When you’re done, can I have that?
Arrow: Yeah
Arrow gets a long hollow block from the shelf.
Arrow: Where can I put this?
Leo: Over here.
Arrow: Can you move that brick?
Leo picks up the brick to make space for the hollow block.
Arrow: I knew that wasn’t too heavy for you!
Leo gets an armful of pine cones from the shelf.
Arrow: Oh, some pine cones. I love pinecones. I need some of those pine cones (tries to take one from Leo).
Leo: I’m going to give them to you.
Arrow: Okay, you can add one to this building. We’re building a lot!
Leo: Yes. Let’s make this a Halloween house.
Arrow: Yeah, we’re making a Halloween house.
Leo: This is spooky.
Later, Arrow and Leo discover string and connect it to elements of the spooky house. Leo attaches one end to a spiral, metal photo holder while Arrow wraps the other side on a pillar block.
Arrow: Can I have some more rope?
Leo: There’s no more rope.
Arrow removes the piece on the photo holder.
Arrow: I need more.
Leo: But there’s no rope on here. I want it to be spooky and cover this thing.
Arrow: I know what to do to repair it. Tie this one to one side and I’ll tie it to this block.
Leo: Okay. Let’s tie, tie, tie.
Reflecting on this experience, I’m reminded of the importance of time. Some children might enter an experience with trepidation, uncertain if their peers will listen to their ideas and with a need to control the materials and actions of their peers. Long, uninterrupted periods of time allows children to develop trust with their peers and recognize the value of working together. It also provides ample opportunities to problem solve through flexible thinking and effective communication.