Transformation

Have you ever simply sat back to watch your child play? Do they ever do things that seems silly? pointless? confusing? Maybe they take a box of trucks, dump them out, and walk away? Have they built a huge tower just to knock it down and move on? Is the act of rolling chalk across the sidewalk more fun than actually drawing?

These repetitive behaviors can be confusing or seem pointless to us as adults, but believe me they have a purpose. We call these actions SCHEMAS. Schemas are those repeated patterns seen in children’s behavior, and they link directly to the development and strengthening of cognitive structures in the brain.A schema, then, is a generalized description or a conceptual system for understanding knowledge-how knowledge is represented and how it is used. Schema theory states that all this knowledge is organized into units.

We have been noticing many developing schemas throughout our classroom. This week will try to show you examples of a few different areas our students are working on!

 All information below found at: https://www.familyspace.ca/schema-play-in-young-children-5/

Transforming Schema: exploring changes.

Your child uses materials to explore changes in shape, color, consistency etc. He enjoys mixing items together like sand and water or using water-color paints. He likes to see, manipulate and explore how he can change dry to wet.

To support this schema play, let your child mix paints, use playdough, clay and any other modelling type of material.  Offer materials that can be combined to create new things as well as food coloring and water for mixing. He will enjoy cooking with you and seeing how the ingredients combine to make something new. Model and encourage words such as “wet-dry”, “transform” and “manipulate”.

"Can you make a home for the little old lady who lived in a shoe?" 

Today a small group of friends listened to (without pictures) the nursery rhyme There Was an Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe. We chatted about why she lived in a shoe, what would happen if people came to visit, then tried make some guesses about what rhyming words may be coming next! It was amazing to see the loose parts and chunks of clay transform into homes, beds, and habitats for the little old lady and her family! 

When you are given a box of supplies and a large piece of paper, what else can you create but a colorful, 3-D collage?

 We have been working on this piece for a few days now. It is a collaborative work where students are able to come and go as they please. We love watching the respect each student has for their peer's hard work. No one wrecks what has been made, they simply find a beautiful way to add on. 

Can you create a new space out of something that is already existing?

 Building fairy homes, castles, winter wonderlands, and arctic habitats are just a few opportunities we have provided the class to ensure they are challenging their small motor skills and  creativity. How would you make a home for the arctic animals? Can you use what you see to make a new home for the winter fairies?