february 2023
Due to the cold weather we were not able to get outside today to really move and groove our bodies. Last week the children were observed laying receiving blankets on the ground and sharing “we are having a picnic”. Today we placed a sheet out on the carpet for the children to explore with as an expansion to their picnic making the other day. A couple children walked over lifting it up while others ran under. As the children explored figuring out how to all fit inside the sheet someone said “let's make a campfire!”
The children pulled the blanket in all
different directions trying to spread it out and make an enclosure. With some
provocation and brainstorming they discovered a nook in between the climber and
storage cupboard that they decided was a great place to make it. As the sheet
was draped over they labelled it as a “tent” for their campfire. After they all
tucked inside some of the children gathered the taped foam boards that they use
to make “houses” and made a wall creating a fully enclosed space that they
labelled as a “campfire”.
Later that afternoon we reflected on the photos with the children during afternoon snack and asked them the question “What is a campfire?”. Some of their responses were: “hot” “sleep in there” “there is a door” “hide in there” “big bad wolf”. We wonder what ideas they are representing in this play? We also touched base with our families to gain some intel on the children’s exposure to camping and campfires as they seem to have blended the two words to create this idea.
Natasha Agostino, RECE
Jessica Chikoski, RECE
