“Read Everything. Listen to Everybody. Don’t Trust Anything unless You Can Prove it with your Own Research” ~William Cooper (1943-2001)
A quote I will always live by and strive to pass on to my children. We must be our own teachers.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Nature's Toys
Michigan weather is well known for being unpredictable and this winter is no different. We have experienced unusually mild, warm weather into January. I must admit that I am ready for snow, but grateful for the unexpected play experiences the kids and I have had outside.
Normally, this time of year, the kids and I spend a good half hour getting ready to go outside. Half are toddling around like penguins in their snowsuits and boots waiting on the others so that we can get our 20 minutes of snow play in before their little hands freeze and their noses begin to run. Last week though, temps. were in the 40s and the kids and were in heaven! They could ride bikes and scooters, run around the yard and move freely from each activity in only coats, mittens, and hats. Because temps have been rising and falling from crazy highs to normal lows we have had snow, rain, and ice all in the same week. As soon as we all got out the door, the kids scattered to different areas of the yard while I watched. My two oldest boys quickly found the blocks of ice that had formed in all the toys and buckets and anything that could hold water. They were in their element. What better blocks to construct with than ice blocks of all different shapes and sizes! Soon they had everyone involved in the hunt and transportation of their building materials to the building site.
That morning, we spent an hour outside; something unheard of on a 'normal' January day in Michigan. The kids built, demoed, and rebuilt 'Ice Fortresses' over and over. If the ice blocks were too big they broke them down. They learned so much about ice, its properties and the different states water can take on. They learned cause and effect, teamwork, leadership, and it gave them a sense of accomplishment. There are so many important experiences and lessons they gained from this play and it cost me nothing. I didn't have to go to the store or search the internet for the best deal on blocks. I didn't have to encourage or facilitate their play. All I kept thinking was, "This is how kids are supposed to play! This is the kind of learning experience I want to give them!"
Normally, this time of year, the kids and I spend a good half hour getting ready to go outside. Half are toddling around like penguins in their snowsuits and boots waiting on the others so that we can get our 20 minutes of snow play in before their little hands freeze and their noses begin to run. Last week though, temps. were in the 40s and the kids and were in heaven! They could ride bikes and scooters, run around the yard and move freely from each activity in only coats, mittens, and hats. Because temps have been rising and falling from crazy highs to normal lows we have had snow, rain, and ice all in the same week. As soon as we all got out the door, the kids scattered to different areas of the yard while I watched. My two oldest boys quickly found the blocks of ice that had formed in all the toys and buckets and anything that could hold water. They were in their element. What better blocks to construct with than ice blocks of all different shapes and sizes! Soon they had everyone involved in the hunt and transportation of their building materials to the building site.
That morning, we spent an hour outside; something unheard of on a 'normal' January day in Michigan. The kids built, demoed, and rebuilt 'Ice Fortresses' over and over. If the ice blocks were too big they broke them down. They learned so much about ice, its properties and the different states water can take on. They learned cause and effect, teamwork, leadership, and it gave them a sense of accomplishment. There are so many important experiences and lessons they gained from this play and it cost me nothing. I didn't have to go to the store or search the internet for the best deal on blocks. I didn't have to encourage or facilitate their play. All I kept thinking was, "This is how kids are supposed to play! This is the kind of learning experience I want to give them!"
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