Growing Inquisitiveness

May 18, 2016

 

"The birds will eat the seeds?" asked one child as we emptied one seed packet of beets one sunny morning. I said, "Oh we don't want them to eat these seeds. We want these to grow so we can eat them."

Young children are very observant. They ask many questions to better understand the world around them. This morning, Miss Arigo and the toddlers planted onions and beets in our front playground.

We gathered supplies that we needed such as a shovel, a rake, a watering can, and seed packets.

 

 

In the photo above, one child studied the instructions. She flipped the pages over and looked closely at the pictures of the vegetables.

 

 

We discussed the vegetables we were going to grow - beets and onions. We talked about the colour, size, and shape of the seeds. Then, we dug rows in our planters and placed the seeds one by one. This was tricky as their eye-hand coordination is still developing. Sprinkling the seeds might work, too!

 

 

After we have covered the seeds, it was time to water them. One child said, "I water it. My turn please." As she poured the water, she used her other hand to feel the water. "Oh cold water in there," she said and laughed.

 

 

"This seed too, Miss Arigo?" she asked me as she found a clump of dirt in our planter. I told her it was not a seed but a clump of dirt. She then repeated, "A clump of dirt?! Oh I have a clump of dirt right here. Clump of dirt." We talked about it for the next five minutes. She said, "It's cute."

"Children astound me with their inquisitive minds. The world is wide and mysterious to them, and as they piece together the puzzle of life, they ask 'Why?' ceaselessly."
-John Maxwell


by Miss Arigo

Helping Friends

"Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away." Unknown

Children say and do amazing things.  During outdoor play I watched as two children chase each other around the yard.  They were giggling as they caught up to each other.  One of the children fell down on the grassy surface.  The other child took notice that she was not being followed by her friend.  She stopped to look back and noticed the other child had fallen.  She quickly walked back and bent down looking at the child.

She looked at the child and began to say something.  Then she put one hand towards the child and began lifting the child up.  This was a tricky task.  She showed determination as she continued to try to help him up.  The child smiled as she helped him, he also began to pull himself up making it easier for her to lift him up.

The child was intrinsically motivated to help the other child.  Throughout the day we often see children helping each other.  They help comfort the children who are feeling sad, and also bring toys to the child that might make them feel better.  

Miss Sousa

Outdoor Mud Painting

On a very windy Friday morning we brought out some paper, paint brushes and some mud.  The children gather around the brown paper and wait patiently for a paintbrush. 

Each child gets a small container of mud and a paintbrush.  

This child paints in long strokes.

Sitting down to paint can be relaxing.

The children show cooperation as they paint together.

This child proudly smiles as he stacked the paint cups together. 

While the children were painting we listened to all the wonderful sounds.  We heard the birds chirping, the leaves and paper rustling with the wind.  

Miss Sousa