Pretty Invitations and Play Residue

Are you trapped in the cycle of feeling let down because your expectations were not met by the children in your class?

What does it take to let go of pre-conceived ideas and let things naturally evolve?

Picture 1. The invitation. We set out some old flowers and a variety of color crayons and white paper. Several children investigated using the magnifying glasses and some chose a crayon that matched the flower and set out to drawing the flowers. There was no instruction given.

Picture #2 As more children got involved the investigation changed. The reality for me was that it was hard not to correct the tearing off of the petals so the next children could have the “same” experience with the flowers. What was obvious was that the children tearing up the flowers were also investigating in a way that didn’t fit with my expectation. It’s not my learning experience, it belongs to the children.

Picture #3 Play Residue. Finally, the flower petals made their way outside to the mud kitchen for use in soups and cakes, extending and enriching the children’s play for hours.

Don’t be fooled by the perfect “invitation”, set up or environment. Pinterest cute and perfect is not a PLAY based reality. Go with the flow. The results might surprise you if you take the time to observe what is happening and resist the temptation to “correct”.  Let me know how you are allowing for PLAY in your environment.