A Rainny Day at Kiwicare

Cold, rainy weather what to do? Well the children decided to make up a balancing beams with their blocks. They got together and started to build their balancing beam. It was quite amazing to see them all work together placing the blocks one by one. The children are learning to work together and alongside each other (Ministry of Education, 1996)

Through this activity the children changed the direction of the blocks adding a bit more fun to it. They decided to count as they went by each block one, two, three. I decided to ask the children about the newly built beam. Some replied that it was a bridge while others said it was walking on the poles. Construction is another form of pretend play. Construction fosters fantasy play and development of imagination (Somerset, 2000). “Constructive play involves the use of materials to create something that exits after the play has finished” (Arthur,Beecher,Death,Dockett & Farmer, 2005, p.99). It also fosters social development as the child learns to play and co-operate with their peers. Construction also promotes the development of mathematical insight. Children increasingly develop logic, reasoning and use of predictive strategies when using blocks (Ministry of Education, 1996).

The sun appeared so teacher Daisy and I came up with an idea. Why not build up a balancing beam outside for the children. Remembering that the teacher’s role is giving freedom to children to explore and take risks, having fun while keeping them safe, guiding, extending and supporting and providing safe challenges (Greenfield, 2007).

Teacher Daisy and I got a few logs together which had different lengths, different widths and even different textures. We asked Mike our builder if we could borrow his board stands and he was more than willing as long as we returned them. We laid the logs one after each other, we then place our painting boards in a line and at the end of that we placed tyres for the children to jump in and out off.  These opportunities will not only help the children in participating in group physical activities but also help to develop responsible relationships and respect for cultural perspectives and contributions of others and develop an ability to express themselves through movement and gesture.