Westford Kindergarten Blog: working with natural materials

Natural materials offer an array of open-ended play and learning opportunities, such as collecting, counting, sorting, dramatic play, creative expression, storytelling, and construction.

This week, the children counted acorns collected by KC's family and OC. The children noticed the differences in the two collections of acorns;

The acorns OC collected were longer, "reddish", and had no tops. Children predicted there would be more acorns in his collection, because the collection bag was bigger.

The acorns collected by KC's family were smaller, shorter in length, had a top, were more "brownish", and were in a smaller bag.

The children helped to count the acorns, recording the number on a sticky note. We were curious to see what 100 acorns would look like, stopping the counting of OC's acorns at 100 and then dropping the remainder of his acorns in a different jar. This was an unexpected and unplanned math experience - often these are the richest and most exciting learning experiences of all!

Weaving

Continuing to offer a variety of experiences exploring and working with pine cones, I introduced pine cone weaving this week. Weaving is a fine motor activity, helpful for children to develop and strengthen their fine motor skills, supporting all of their future work. It is a calming and gentle experience, taking an incredible amount of concentration. The act of weaving is also an early introduction to sewing, an experience I will offer in the future during academic choice.

While sharing her woven pine cones following choice, AM said,

"Pine cone weaving made me feel calm!"

Small Construction

Pine cones, rocks, wooden rods and cubes continue to provide rich small building opportunities for the children. For some, the interest continues to be around bridges and different kinds of bridges. For other children, it is an invitation to tell a story, a little dramatic play piece.