January 2024
“The Language of Boxes: What could the children’s theories be?”
Just before the Christmas break, the children hosted a Family Celebration with their families to create a collaborative Art project. Using multiple colours and layers of paint, they decorated a very large box. Initially we (the educators) were looking at ways to extend on the children’s interest in building and tools.
Since returning in January; the children’s play has shifted away from tools and building, and the focus appears to be on the box itself.
After spending several days of crawling in and out of the box, we started to notice that the children were beginning to place objects inside it. After what initially appeared to be simply dumping toys inside, we observed this: ( see picture)
I wonder what the children’s thought process was? Instead of merely dumping the chairs in a pile, there is definitely a more intentional plan here. What do you think the children could be exploring?
Don McMahon RECE, Smriti Bhoray ECE BEd BA in special education
