The week before last, the Mountain (4-year-old) students were introduced to a concept called a "Play Provocation."
While the children might describe it simply as "fun" (and it certainly was!), there's a lot more going on behind the scenes.
A Play Provocation is an activity designed to spark children's curiosity and creativity. It uses familiar materials in new and unexpected ways, encouraging them to explore, solve problems, and build new skills.
The Play Provocation from two weeks ago was all about transportation, tying into our upcoming Unit of Inquiry (UOI)! This focus on familiar themes helps children connect their learning to the real world, making it more engaging and meaningful.
Here's a peek into the different "stations" set up for the Play Provocation, each designed to explore different scientific concepts in a fun way:
Ramps (Inclined Planes):
Did you know that ramps make it easier to move things from one level to another? We explored how the slope of a ramp changes the way objects move and the force needed. This is also part of the reason why it is so easy for objects to travel down them as well. Especially if they are round and smooth!
Boats (Floating and Sinking):
Why do some objects float while others sink? Because they are bigger? Smaller? Heavier? Lighter? Does it matter what colour they are? Let's test it out!
Boats and Trains (Magnets):
Magnets have a special power: they attract some materials and repel others! This activity allowed children to explore these magnetic forces and how they can be used to move objects.
Parachutes and Helicopters (Gravity):
Gravity is the force that pulls everything downwards towards the earth's center. Parachutes use air resistance to slow down their fall, while helicopters use spinning blades to create lift and counteract gravity.
Paper Airplanes (Thrust, Lift, Drag):
Paper airplanes might seem simple, but they're actually a great example of physics in action! The forward throw provides thrust, the wings create lift to keep the plane airborne, and air resistance (drag) slows it down.
Town and Road Building (Engineering):
Building a town involves planning, design, and a bit of engineering! Children used their creativity to design roads, bridges, and buildings, all while exploring spatial concepts.
Rocks and Balance Scales (Measurement):
Balancing scales are all about comparing the weight of objects. This activity introduced children to the concept of measurement in a fun and hands-on way.
Kinetic Sand (Sensory Play):
Sensory play is essential for early development. Kinetic sand's unique texture provides a calming and stimulating experience, encouraging children to explore their senses of touch and sight.
What did the children have to say about what they enjoyed on the day?
“It was fun.”
“I liked playing with water.”
“I liked throwing airplanes! I was the winner!”
“I liked the sand, playing with heavy rocks and balancing scales!”
“I liked the kinetic sand, because we can make anything we like!”
By incorporating these scientific concepts into play, we not only provided fun but also helped the children develop a foundation for future learning. We were also able to observe their interests and current understanding of transportation, which will be valuable as we delve deeper into this topic during our UOI.
So, the next time your child describes an activity as "fun," remember, there's likely a lot of learning happening behind the scenes!
Lam has experience teaching in English schools and afterschool programmes in Japan, including curriculum development. He values learning that encourages free expression and connections across cultures. Drawing on STEM, programming and engineering learning, he brings play and inquiry together to help children develop curiosity, confidence and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment.
