Just Playing

From an outsider's point of view, one might like at this photo and describe it as "kids playing." To extent you would be correct but for children of preschool age play is more than just a "game". Many activities we plan are designed to deceive even the keenest of children's eyes. What looks like mere play is more decidedly work. A student each day has a job to learn and through the work of play they are able to prepare themselves for Kindergarten. This activity consisted of playdough and numbered popsicle sticks. The children were to use the materials on the baking tray set at each space. hidden benchmark #1 defining a child's space, by placing the materials in a concrete boundary like a baking sheet, children will begin to turn literal space markers into a comfortable space created between themselves and their friends. The children where asked to push the popsicle sticks into the playdough putting the numbers in sequence. Hidden benchmark #2 the children have to use their fine motor skills to push the sticks into the playdough, without these fine motor skills children would be unable to develop the muscles needed to form letters. Hidden benchmark #3 the children have to recognize the numbers to place them in sequence. Hidden benchmark #4 counting and using sequential order of numbers. I could go on and on about all the social and emotional benchmarks being met when the children discuss and interact while participating in the game. So now you know when your child comes home and says all we did was play all day....you know better!