Preschoolers And the Joy of Discovery
Exploring Creativity Through the Visual Arts
“Each time one prematurely teaches a child something they could have discovered themself, that child is kept from inventing it and consequently from understanding it completely.” -Jean Piaget
Watching preschoolers in the block area is a great way to learn about their thinking. For example, a teacher can determine a child’s stage of block play development by observing how they move, stack, or build with them.
Providing ramps and things that slide or roll allows us to see children work through problems. And, letting them use both conventional and unconventional building materials together is a window into their creativity. So much troubleshooting! So much learning!
The teacher’s role is to provide support without doing the mental and physical work for the child.
In this way, children find answers to their own questions in ways that stick with them. It can be hard to watch a child work hard and concentrate, only to see their structure come crashing down.
But a little frustration is okay!
Better to sit nearby and quietly demonstrate techniques or ask ‘I wonder’ questions that give children as much space as possible to solve the puzzle.
Each of these photos shows children who worked a long time, through much trial-and-error, to construct challenging and unique designs in the block area.
These innovations would not have been possible had the teachers spent the first half of the year instructing the children as to how to balance blocks, or how to make sure a ball rolls all the way down the ramp.
More importantly, the children would not have been able to invent, and thus discover, the calculations, techniques, and tools necessary for their successes.
Having ownership of the process of learning leads to more satisfying results and long-term benefits!
