Picture this:
Two 4-year-old girls stand at the water table making potions in graduated cylinders out of glitter, water and sand; three older kids are working together to build a giant castle out of hundreds of wooden unit blocks; a few 5 year-olds are putting on costumes, wearing masks of native animals and playing with puppets; several other children are making crowns, wands, and other art pieces using glitter, glue and paint with abandon while a Museum Educator helps them refill supplies while asking questions and making gentle suggestions; and two more little ones are snuggled up with another educator reading King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub.
This was the scene during our Spring Break Imaginary Worlds camp last month. I can imagine that many people would feel a sense of chaos entering a classroom covered in glitter, with costumes strewn about, and blocks monopolizing 25% of the floor space. But let’s look at this from another angle:
At the water table children are practicing science skills and using their imagination to create potions; playing with unit blocks flexes your brain’s math muscles; dramatic play increases children’s use of language and develops social skills; and we all know that there is not enough time for art in most schools these days, not to mention the importance of small group reading in promoting young children’s literacy.
Children can and do learn a lot through unstructured play. At the Bay Area Discovery Museum we tend to shy away from direct instruction by offering opportunities for open-ended, child directed play. In fact, we’ve built our educational philosophy around these central tenets:Our curriculum is open-ended: activities are intrinsically motivating, allowing for active engagement, sustained involvement and multiple outcomes.
Providing opportunities for children to learn through play takes precedence over the need to teach specific educational content. Our goal is child-directed play, creating conditions for adults to let children make choices, take risks, and spend the time they need to construct their own understanding of the world. Our programs are designed to be fun for children and to allow parents, caregivers and Museum staff to join children as facilitators, researchers and collaborators.
Putting aside adult agendas, and allowing children the time to play and really become immersed in their work is our specialty here. And I often try to stop and ask myself, “Can I just give them 20 more minutes?” Kids don’t always get the chance to play, discover and create as much as they really need to. But that’s how we nurture creativity here. It might be messy, but it’s always worth it.
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Share with us in the comments your suggestions for unstructured play! Also please remember that we are offering free shipping at our website on our award-winning books this month - be sure to use coupon code LPPPLAY at check-out.
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Share with us in the comments your suggestions for unstructured play! Also please remember that we are offering free shipping at our website on our award-winning books this month - be sure to use coupon code LPPPLAY at check-out.
9 comments:
I love the BADM company objectives. Growing up, my parents had the mentality that "kids are supposed to get dirty", which meant lots of finger painting, rolling around in the dirt and exploring! It really did help us to develop our own unique perspectives of the world around us. Thanks for the great article, Heather!
I wish there were more environments like the BADM. The creative, unstructured, "messy" play that they encourage is what allows children to grow into their own elan, their own way of discovery and problem solving. Not only are they helping children stretch their brains, but its location is probably one of the most beautiful in the world, which is great for the parental minds as well. Thank you BADM! We appreciate you being here in the Bay Area and what you provide our little pickles!
My pickles LOVE the Bay Area Discovery Museum. It is our go-to place for guaranteed fun. We've even hosted birthday parties there. We are ardent supporters. Thank you, Heather, for the important work that you do and for sharing your perspectives with our community. We appreciate you!
The Discovery Museum is an amazing place for children. It is a place were they can explore with all of their senses and as patents and caregivers we are able to allow them this freedom without having give them many restrictions. Not only do children get to explore with their senses, but there are great areas for creative play, like being a fisherman, catching and selling fish. Or dressing up as animals and playing on structures that are reminicent of trees or underwater exploration.
Tons of fun!!!!" Great place.
My idea of grown-up outdoor play is gardening. Dig in the dirt, plant seeds, then watch that spontaneous growth. I don't plan anything very much, so it's always a grand surprise! Last year, Chinese long beans grew in my flower boxes and it was the coolest thing! LOL.
The BADM is such a treasure trove of experiences for kids. It is great fun to watch them explore and follow their imagination to wherever it leads them. We're so lucky to have this near us.
Can big kids play as well?
Aw, thanks for all the good words everyone! It's such a pleasure to have visitors and friends as passionate about the museum as we, the staff, are! Alex, we are designed for children ages 6 months to 8 years old - all adults must be accompanied by children, and all children accompanied by adults. So if you can find some young kids in your life, bring them by!
Thanks for sharing Heather! The BADM it's an absolutely fun, creative place to be!! Children just can't get enough of there and always ask to stay longer when it's time to leave... I love the the note "it might be messy"...in this case, the messier the better! : ) We are fortunate to have BADM near by.
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