Metal bowls and metal & wooden rings have been a huge
hit for Cohort 7 these past couple of months. It seems that the kids especially enjoy the contrast between
materials – I’ve watched L carefully alternate between sliding metal bowls and
wooden rings across the floor (noting the different sounds this makes), C will
often drop both metal and wood at once, and A holds a metal bowl in one hand
and a wooden ring in the other, thoroughly exploring each with her eyes and
mouth.
In these moments, the children are conducting thoughtful experiments in an effort to understand the properties of these materials. They align the objects carefully so
that they can come to understand the similarities and dissimilarities between
them, discovering that metal feels colder, wood is not quite as smooth, they
both roll and slide on the floor, metal makes a shrill noise when banged on the
ground, etc. Their focus shows me
how seriously and deeply they are considering the relationship between these
materials, as well as their own relationships to each class of objects. In their quest to discover the rules and characteristics (both unique and shared) of each material, they are engaged in a careful scientific process that is not unlike the science adults engage in. It is purposeful, patient, and driven.
I plan to keep the bowls and rings out in the center of the room for
a while yet – as the children show continued interest in the exploration of
these materials, they are telling me that they are still contemplating how to
interact with them. I am eager to
see them developing relationships with these objects, and I look forward to
observing the new and interesting ways they will use them & combine them
with other materials!
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