In the preschool room we have been using the tuff tray in various ways as the children continue to explore the many interests they encounter. One of the activities the children engaged in was a tuff tray Christmas tree decorating experience. Educator Adeena cut out large pieces of green paper into trees, then laid out a tray with various materials including coloured paper circles, snowflakes and stars, Pom Poms and seashells. By laying the materials out, it gave the children the ability to freely grab the materials they needed to turn their tree into their own masterpiece. The children discovered that the absence of adhesion allowed them to create multiple variations of their Christmas trees, experimenting with various arrangements and combinations. While some children independently crafted their individual Christmas trees, others collaborated in pairs to design their festive creations. Collaboration flourished among the children as they traded materials, exchanged creative ideas, and shared words of encouragement. As the trees became filled with the various materials, the children discovered ways of problem solving. Isla and Amelia found that passing each other materials from the tray allowed them to design a creation together, while also helping one another gather materials as at times. This dynamic exploration with the tuff tray not only cultivated creativity and collaboration but also shaped a lively and enriching learning atmosphere within our preschool space, where each child's unique expression contributes to a vibrant tapestry of shared experiences.
