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LISA BRESSON is a technical assistance supervisor for Grow New LISA BRAHMS, PhD, is the director of learning and research at the
PHOTO BOB EBBESEN
Jersey Kids. She was previously a preschool teacher. Childrens Museum of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania.
MEGAN KING is a preschool teacher at a public school in northern PETER S. WARDRIP, PhD, is a learning scientist at the Childrens
New Jersey. Museum ofPittsburgh.
solve independently. Have students seek and share resources by providing some
materials to construct with but leaving out others. You
can leave colored masking tape and a stapler but remove
Challenging children with invented problems the regular tape and glue. This way, children must share
Consider making up problems for your preschoolers to solve.
and negotiate.
By intentionally disassembling something or by purposefully
removing a frequently used material from the classroom, Invite the children to design a house using blocks and other
you set the stage for some serious learning. A child might classroom materials, like large pieces of fabric, carpet and
shout, Hey! Wheres the glue?! or Oh no! The flashlight tile samples, and masking tape. Have children share their
fell apart! You could answer with, I wonder where the glue design ideas and express their intentions by making a plan.
went. Can you look on the art shelf with all the put together Guide them to seek and share resources while building by
materials and figure out what else you might use to connect asking children with different skills to contribute their talents,
those pieces? or That broken flashlight gives just as a contractor
us an opportunity to see whats inside. Whats would hire a carpenter,
a flashlight made of? What makes the light go plumber, and electrician
on? when constructing a
real building.
When you create challenges for children, they
can begin to problem solve independently. They Dramatic play center
can turn to maker-based learning processes, like Children can hack and
hack and repurpose, inquire, and tinker. As young repurpose materials to
children become more comfortable and confident create missing props.
with the experience of solving problems, they In the house area, say,
will increasingly do it on their own. Establishing The baby doll needs
a culture of making in the classroom inspires a bed! What can we
children to look at materials in a deeper way use to make one? or
as they work toward solving the problems The baby doll has no
they encounter. diapers! I wonder how
we can make some.
Supply children with a variety of repurposed materials Help children develop fluency with sewing materials by
(cardboard boxes, large pieces of foam core board, tubes, showing them how to thread a needle and then having them
and more) to build with. Suggest that children hack and practice sewing different kinds of stitches.
repurpose the materials to create a businessa bakery, a
Organize open-ended materials by type (wooden, plastic,
grocery store, or a veterinarians office.
cardboard, natural, metal), and ask questions like How else
could we use this? to encourage inquiry.
Sand and water center (exploration station)
Ask, How can we move the water and sand from here to Teach children simple yarn weaving. Children can simplify to
there without a scoop? Children can tinker and hack and complexify by weaving more complicated patterns.
repurpose by finding and adapting objects and materials to
serve as scoops.
Conclusion
Encourage children to express intention by making a class
As more and more early childhood teachers incorporate
plan to help with an everyday task, like filling and emptying
making into their classroom centers, a common vocabulary
the water table or keeping the sand in the sand table.
emergesinquire, tinker, seek and share, and so on. This
Support children as they inquire about the characteristics language gives children and teachers the words to discuss
of sand and water as materialstheir texture, weight, ways to think outside the boxnurturing future innovators.
color, and uses. To spark wonder and curiosity, try adding Children will get an early start with practicing critical
interesting materials, such as food coloring or ice to the thinking and problem-solving skills, which theyll use
water and glitter or sequins to the sand. throughout their lives. It all starts with giving children a
chance to engage in the learning practices of making on a
Art center
daily basis!
PHOTO BOB EBBESEN