Hello Educators,
Today, I share a delightful, child-led art and science activity that transformed simple sidewalk chalk into a spectacle of rainbow flecks. It all started when one of the children caught me inadvertently stepping on a small piece of chalk. The preschooler approached me, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, and then he exclaimed, “Sue Sue, can I try?” I stepped aside to let him have a go.
Child using hammmer to crush sidewalk chalk
Despite his eager attempts, the chalk remained largely intact. After several tries, he looked up at me, a mix of frustration and tenacity in his eyes, prompting me to think on my feet. Recognizing his determination, I realized this was a perfect moment for deeper exploration and wondered what I could offer to help. That’s when I remembered the large wooden hammer we kept in the garage. As educators, we are the facilitators of such discoveries. We know when to step in, step back, or provide just the right tools or encouragement to help transform a simple action into a meaningful learning experience.
With a few super-strong swings—stronger than the broccoli I negotiate, he eats for strength, stronger than the deconstruction games he likes to play, and faster than his speed cars—he hammered strong and fast. The chalk scattered colorful flecks across the pavement, and his face lit up with a sense of accomplishment. I felt proud and happy of the learning environment we’ve created.
photo of children creating rainbow colored sidewalk chalk
The children’s ability to invent, create, collaborate, and help their other friends is heartwarming and encouraging to me. Years ago, I was burned out and didn’t know how to cope. I have transformed my teaching heart and learned ways to facilitate and honor each child through simple, creative learning like how this unfolded.
He loves to use hammers, and the children within the environment use hammers for various activities and on different materials. If you document your children’s learning, you know the significance of such learning, but I had a problem: my phone was charging indoors, and my brain doesn’t recall things on the fly. So, I called out to my daughter to bring me my phone from indoors. Although I missed capturing the initial moments of how the rainbow chalk started that day, I managed to record some snippets of the prolonged activity, not just with him but with other children who extended and repeated the learning another day.
picture showing the fine chalk made with a wooden hammer
If you are wondering about the hammer, I purchased this large hammer at a thrift store a few years ago – the writing on it says ‘attitude adjuster’ – we welcome this hammer and call it ‘creativity’ 😉
Watch the video and listen to the children’s dialogue. You will also hear the children’s conversation as they collaborate, negotiate, and encourage each other. Listen to how the preschooler encourages his toddler friend to crush the chalk and to try again. In addition, you will hear one preschooler talking about crushing a fly with the hammer, and my sweet eighteen-month-old, whose language is just blooming, says—yeah, yeah, which she says to practically everything—the wonderful joys of mixed-age learning and children modeling their peer’s imagination.
Through this activity, the preschoolers enjoyed art and the science of blending colors, a rich sensory exploration that required some physical strength, persistence, and problem-solving. Moments like these remind us of the joy and discovery inherent in child-led play. So, next time you find yourself with a few pieces of broken chalk, consider inviting your little ones to explore and transform those pieces of sidewalk chalk into something beautiful. Who knows what they will discover through such a simple yet profound activity?
photo of rainbow speckled sidewalk chalk
Note to educators: The next time a child shows interest in a seemingly mundane activity, take a moment to observe. Maybe you, too, can offer the children something ordinary to turn their interest into extraordinary learning opportunities.
photo showing color blend of crushed chalk
Until next time, keep encouraging those little moments of curiosity and welcome new learning experiences.
xoxo – Miss Sue your educator who is daily working in the trenches alongside you.
