Hello, my fellow home child care providers. Today, I am sharing a simple child-led activity of a child trying to lasso a basket with a measuring tape. At first, couldn’t fathom what she was trying to accomplish. I, however, felt I needed to document the moment with my phone (photos and videos).
Please see the video – she was working very hard to achieve something, and somehow I was filled with immense joy as I listened to her giggles and pleasantries. See a post I did about pinecones and rulers
The other children tuned into her attempts and then casually returned to building their castles with magnatiles. I, however, did not want to miss this opportunity – I knew learning was unfolding. This empty magnatile container and the measuring tape they usually measure their friends with were being used differently – in a way, I did not see before.
Do you have that child in your setting? That child whose thinking, creativity, and doings make you wonder how their brain works? You know that child who sends your mouth open wide (have you ever held it open so long you forgot it was open in amazement) – I sure have been having many of these days in my home daycare. This activity was not about counting or learning with numbers – she just wanted to lasso the basket and carry it with the measuring tape, and that took skills. Yes, mathematical skills were achieved in this child-led activity – but it was delightful as she learned the girth needed to wrap the basket with the measuring tape. The video was longer, but I condensed it.
After watching her success, I reflect on the many missed opportunities I’ve had over the years. Moments when the children were trying to direct the classroom – I wildly pushed back, thinking they were disruptive or not following my instructions. Those were days when I felt empowered being in charge of little humans – wow. I said it, yes – I was socialized to believe children should not goof around or act silly. My teaching heart and practice have evolved over the years. Now, I do know limits and boundaries, which is another blog post on its own. However, my intention today is to highlight how we can miss little moments of learning – how slowing down can help us not to lose learning opportunities. Sometimes significant learning happens from ordinary, mundane moments.
Until next time – I am Miss Sue walking in the trenches with you, my home educators – xoxo Miss Sue.
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