Autumn is the season of harvesting crops, grass, pods and berries. The children in our daycare have been enjoying the activity of coloring pumpkins.
One of our local supermarkets (Jewell) was giving away pumpkins, yes you heard correctly – free pumpkins. So knowing frugal Sue, I jumped on the wagon of freeness and got these for the children in the daycare to use however, they wanted.
My daycare is more child led than teacher led so, I placed the pumpkins on a painters drop cloth and left them there. When the children came in they saw the pumpkins on the floor. They went over and investigated the pumpkins – that is banging, pressing, squeezing and looking for carvings – there were none. I then asked them what they wanted to do with the pumpkins…
They asked for markers and that’s what they did – they colored the pumpkins with markers. I love the pip squeak markers because it is the perfect size for their little hands.
With practice young children will learn how to hold crayons, markers and other writing tools. This toddler is holding the marker with a fisted grip. With practice the writing tools will rest in palm and then like a tripod. It takes time and comfort for children to reach each stage of development.
Children are excellent teachers – they can direct us to think outside the box. What other objects can be colored like the pumpkins?
What other materials can be used on the pumpkin? One child also watercolored the pumpkin see video
Allow children to choose their color. Some may want varied colors while others one color.
This scribbling is the beginning stage of writing. Look at the formations of lines, curves, and circles. The child talked through the process – he was drawing a dinosaur farm. Children are extremely imaginative and it is our duty as teachers to allow their creativity to develop.
May the children in your early years environment – school, daycare, childcare, homeschool, have fun coloring and creating.
xoxo Miss Sue
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