The toddlers have continued to admire the twinkly lights that decorate and give a calming atmosphere within our program. After observing this for some time, the educators set up a provocation one morning. An old overhead projector was plugged in, as well as a homemade light table. After the children gathered around the two objects, they were able to see the lights glow and shine on the wall. The on/off button became the focus point of interest to many of the toddlers as they experimented with it over and over again (what young child doesn't love quick input, like a large light from a simple press of a button?).
Shortly after, cookie cutter shapes and translucent colorful blocks were added near the new items. On the light table Blake and Casey discovered how they could build using the new square, triangle and rectangle blocks. They could see the colours reflect off the surface as they constructed their towers, finding ways to balance the blocks onto one another and trying again when they would tumble down.
On the projector the children piled the cookie cutters together, moved them around and observed the new shadows covering the wall. The objects, plus toddler and educator hands created many new shadows for observation. Educator Heather then placed one-person cookie cutter on the overhead projector and with a smile told the toddlers "Oh look, that's little Heather on the wall!"
Abby quickly laughed and replied, "No, that's Mama!" Then added several more cookie cutters near the first one and called them all Mama too with a big laugh! The toddlers continued to add their sense of humor and imagination as they explored the new materials. They played with the concept of cause and effect, built on colour recognition, language and social development, all while experimenting with the new items before them.
Play is powerful, its learning, it's fun, and it's done differently by each individual. There's no way to predict how a child will explore something new. Instead, observe, listen and learn alongside of them.
Mr Roger's said it best, "Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.", and also, "It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives."
