This month the preschool educators have been focusing on STEM activities, especially on the concept of engineering. Observing the children's interest in construction using blocks and train tracks, the educators wondered about providing the children with creative building materials. One of the provocations included cups and Popsicle sticks with velcro dots. The educators watched the children use their creativity as they explored the materials. “Look, they can stick together,” said Wesley in excitement. “I am going to make a square,” he continued. Watching his peer, Jaxson said, “I can make square, too.” He made two squares and pretended that they were trampolines as he got people figures to jump on his creations.
Soon Sofia and Anna joined in. When Sofia wanted her square to stand up, the educator said, “I wonder how we can do that.” Sofia looked around, leaned it against the cups and said, “it looks like a window now.” She then guided Anna to make her square saying, “you will need 1 more stick Anna. Here, let me show you.” Chloe worked to make a triangle, while Luke, Jaxson, and Armaan created robots with the cups. The activity supported creativity and the use of cognitive abilities as the children expressed their thoughts through their creations. Furthermore, the process promoted social skills and communication as the children shared materials and ideas, and collaborated to help each other build.
The preschool children also engaged in building, racing, and rolling using the marble run. The children used their creativity to come up with new possibilities and solutions in many different ways. The process involved the children participating in discussions regarding how tall they needed to build their structure, and what size of marbles would work best. Every time a marble hopped off the track or got stuck, the children would try to solve the problem by adding or taking away pieces, then try passing the marbles through again. They seemed to be very focused as they spent a long time trying out various possibilities with the tubes. Sofia told Bela, “that marble may be too big, let’s try this one- watch me.” When the children faced difficult spots they sought out educator support. This activity supported spatial awareness, problem solving skills, and hand eye coordination.
We wonder what other building materials and loose parts we could use to spark our preschool children’s imagination and creativity.
