Happy Friday!
I sat down to do my weekly ‘read through Teacher Tom’s blog’ session and stubbled upon this blog that I posted down below.
“As the momentum began to die, a couple of girls found their way to the merry-go-round. Without being asked, they decided they were going to push it “fast.” The boys were delighted. Working together, the girls managed to get it up to speed, then the two of them jumped on as well. More children began to arrive in twos and threes, many pushed before jumping on. One of the original boys, leaning into it, head tipped back, began to chant, “Oh yeah, it’s spin time! Oh yeah, it’s spin time!”
It things like this that we see everyday: children needing help with something and instead of us helping them do it (which doesn’t help them in the slightest), they either persevere or reach out to a peer, often ending in a great social experiment or conversation. This is one of the many great things about a multi-age classroom. We’re seeing it more and more lately: a two year old needing help with something whether it’s getting their shoes on to go outside or putting something in their cubby. Instead of us doing it for them, they are reaching out to their older peers to ask for help and sometimes, it’s the older peer initiating that engagement, realizing that they could be of service to their younger friend.
“They were learning something, because we are always learning something when we play. I could write a list here of all the things I imagine they were learning, or exploring, or discovering.”
“I am comfortable knowing that children are learning because they are playing, and that’s enough.”
http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2020/12/sucking-joy-from-their-lives.html
______________________________________________________________________________________
Our Friday looked like a typical Friday—friends engaging while working on puzzles, exploring playdoh at the art table, and snuggled up in the reading area diving into our favorite stories.
These are the days where children learn the most—not just from us but from their peers and the daily interactions that consume their time.
Breakfast– Brown rice cakes with peanut butter and fresh pears.
Lunch– Melted shredded cheese on whole wheat tortilla, fresh banana/pear, and fresh cucumber/carrots.
PM snack– Banana, cheddar block cheese, and pretzels.
Wee Sprout– Fresh carrots/cucumber.
Have a lovely weekend!
-Mindy
Link to pictures: WF 12/11