Our lead sparks an exciting change!

After a wonderful holiday season, we were a bit unsure the lead was strong enough to carry enough interest to continue. To our delight, the children’s interest in exploring aboriginal history and culture continues. Through reflection and conversation, we realized an avenue to achieve a real understanding of this time period and culture for the children would be through role play. We also realized that the dramatic center had not been yet been as successful as we liked this year (at our new school), as it had been in the past. Due to the structural layout of the classroom, and our original center layout, our dramatic area was not well-defined. We wondered if this was the contributing factor to a lack of interest and focus in role play. We decided to take on the task of moving the heavy furniture and re designing our classroom. What worked? what did not? what might work?
The children returned the next day excited about the changes!! The children helped to add materials to create their play environment. For example, as we furthered our knowledge of nature and its importance to a native culture, the children decided to help move our sensory bin (sand and potted herbs) into the dramatic center. After a nature walk, the children added evergreen branches and…..lots, and lots of pinecones!!! As we have spent 3 days now observing the children playing, manipulating and exploring the classroom and resources, this was the change we needed to spark dramatic play!
We found that by moving our writing center and word/name wall closer to the windows provided additonal natural light, and became a lure for more interaction and creativity there as well.
Please take a look at the play experiences and materials we have provided this week for the children as they explore this lead further.