Some information for parents on what we do all day.
As an example of the progression in learning (above) I have added some pictures of one of my projects, potato printing. I cut a potato out in two parts, the bottom part was sculpted in the shape of a heart, the top was cut to create a little "handle". Emma (24 months) was given the potato and a dish of red paint. The photograph's on the left show the progression of skill. Emma began by smearing the potato around and watching the color swirl. She did many of these pics, in fact in one case she swirled so much that the paper tore. Through the time that she was experimenting with the paint/potato, she was learning many concepts as well as strengthening her fine motor skills. I commented often on her pictures, saying things like " Look at the way the color swirls from dark to light, I like that," and "Look what happens when the paper gets too wet and you rub on it, it makes a big hole!'
Emma was never told that she should make the heart shape, or that there was a "wrong" and "right" way to do it. Yet she naturally wanted to create a heart picture as she could see the heart shape on the potato. She was expressing frustration at not being able to make a heart, so I put my hand over her hand and showed her how to put the potato from paint to paper using an up/down motion. She was so excited and proud to have mastered that skill and created that beautiful heart picture for her mother.
In the picture above you can see Emma's skill level/small motor control progression, and yet she was never told what to do. Through positive reinforcement, modelling, and assistance, Emma made those great strides all on her own. That is how children should learn. If we can foster a pride in accomplishment and a desire to learn, the rest is child's play!!
Emma was never told that she should make the heart shape, or that there was a "wrong" and "right" way to do it. Yet she naturally wanted to create a heart picture as she could see the heart shape on the potato. She was expressing frustration at not being able to make a heart, so I put my hand over her hand and showed her how to put the potato from paint to paper using an up/down motion. She was so excited and proud to have mastered that skill and created that beautiful heart picture for her mother.
In the picture above you can see Emma's skill level/small motor control progression, and yet she was never told what to do. Through positive reinforcement, modelling, and assistance, Emma made those great strides all on her own. That is how children should learn. If we can foster a pride in accomplishment and a desire to learn, the rest is child's play!!