Playing with a purpose

It's always amazing how children can find their own learning.

Yesterday, a group of our SK boys found some tonka trucks in the JK yard. Immediately, they set a purpose for their play and began a project to "clean up" the area around the tree by moving the mulch to the "dump".

 The boys were focused on their goal. They worked co-operatively towards a common purpose. 

 

The boys took on the roles of construction workers and were heard to say things like:

"Dump it in the garbage boys!"

"Backing on up here!"

"Clean this place up!"

(And my favourite, by Hunter) "Dig dig dig and a riggy dig dig!"

The boys used chalk to define their work space, calling it the "construction zone". 

While it looks like "just boys being boys", it is in reality a complex and cooperative project. They practiced oral language, turn taking, sensory exploration, cooperative problem solving, body awareness, role playing, and inquiry. Their play was purposeful and rich- the type of play that leads to the greatest learning.