By: Toni Dolshun, Butterflies Teacher, Santa Fe Centers
Preschool children at Santa Fe Centers in New Providence marvel at their “Rain in a Bag” experiment. The photo depicts their interest as they are watching “clouds” form and “rain” fall in the miniature ecosystem which they created. It was simply put together with soil and a little water in a zip lock bag; strategically placed in a warm, sunny spot. Our young learners explored the water cycle while using words such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. As they observed the states of matter change from liquid to gas and back to liquid again, their wonderment lead to various questions, answers, correlations, and predictions. (All leading to promoting increased cognitive and language skills)
This was just one of the many exploratory activities the Center’s children enjoy throughout the year. “Making Rain” happened to evolve from our Summer Fairy Tales Curriculum. After reading an African tale from Kenya entitled “Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain”, we explored geographically dry climate areas on a map and looked at pictures of deserts and other arid lands. We talked about what happened to the people and animals in the story when they experienced a lack of rain. Additionally, we used our senses to see, feel and smell dry patches of grass. We then compared the dry grass to lush, amply watered grass and decided to try to “create” rain. Today the zip lock bag still remains on display on our porch because the children still enjoy tapping the bag as they pass it by. With each tap the cloud is disturbed and drops of rain trickle down.
As summer progresses, our teachers will be reading more fables and fairy tales as well as singing and reciting nursery rhymes with our children. The carefully chosen stories (many of which originate from culturally diverse areas) will be followed by discussions regarding the moral of the story. Those discussions and the simple repetition of nursery rhymes increase language and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the story-related, hands-on activities which the children participate in are designed to impart a sense of curiosity and an authentic interest in science and in nature. We are fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of beauty in nature. Why not utilize it as part of the classroom environment? Our out-door experiences have been truly enriching.
Our Center recognizes that children’s development is holistic. This means that development in each domain (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language) is closely related to and dependent on all the other domains. In turn, all of that is influenced by the quality and variety of opportunities that are made available to children. Play provides those opportunities for children to integrate their development across the various domains. What better way for our young learners to grow than through explorations and observation while at play? Whether we are parents, grandparents, or teachers of young children, let’s remember to make the time to provide the opportunities needed. It can be as simple as a walk in the woods, watering the plants, playing a game of catch, building a Lego house, or making it rain in a bag. Having doubts about the value and benefits of “just” child’s play? Come visit us.
Will those four year olds in the photo remember the big vocabulary words which we tossed out at them? Perhaps they won’t. Will they remember that they made it rain in a bag? My guess is probably yes. Let’s get out there and PLAY. The rewards are far-reaching.
