Entry 1
3rd August 2010
Pay your toll Five boys sat around the blocks, they began to put the blocks together. Each one started placing blocks in a particular area. D said to J "this can be our bridge" holding up an arch wooden block. J replied "okay then we can make it a toll bridge where the cars can go under". Once the other three boys realised what D and J were making they also wanted to play so they grabbed some small cars and moved over to the "toll bridge". One by one the boys moved their cars under the bridge with J at the other end saying "pay your toll before you go pass" and they did. D came with a truck and said "I am the rubbish truck collecting your rubbish J” J replied “ok. You don’t have to pay then”. As their conversation went on their play caught the other children’s attention and many gathered to watch.
Recognised learning: Pre-school social studies topics are hugely related to ideas about the community, self, and family. These ideas include areas such as transport for example how we get around the community. This observation demonstrates these understandings as well as understandings of other social studies concepts such as economics (Mindes, 2005; Seefeldt, 2000). Developing economic concepts involves children understanding that money can be exchanged for services. This also involves children themselves pretending to provide and/or produce services for others (Seefeldt, 2000). For example when J asked the other children to “pay the toll” before they went pass he was exchanging a service which allowed the children to pass if they paid. Te Whariki also talks about how children must develop the ability to explore, generate, and adapt their own theories about the real world alongside others (Ministry of Education, 1996). Community concepts are also explored in experience because the children are talking about the rubbish truck; children often act-out understandings of the world around them in order to gain a sense of knowledge and understanding (Seefeldt, 2000).Another important aspect of social studies expressed by the children in this observation is the way they worked in co-operation with each other. The co-operation shown by the children involved listening to each other, discussing solutions, expressing preferences, collaborating, taking turns, and participating in discussion and activities (Mindes, 2006). Te Whariki also talks about collaboration in social sciences by stating “working together helps children develop confidence in their ability to develop relationships with others” (Ministry of Education, 1996, pg.94).
Kia ora Jillian,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see how children connect their play with real life experiences. I enjoyed reading your entry and was fascinated to see how they understood the concept of service and money and how they are related. Also, I agree with what you said about how this learning experience open up endless opportunities of other avenues of learning.
kia ora jolly jillian, I liked your relection it was another good example of children learning through meaningful experiences, I wondered if one of the children had a recent experience going through a toll gate. I could see how the handing over of money supported childrens understanding of payment for services and could also see the social side of the learning where children were able to contribute while sharing and valueing each others ideas, I believe this would be a quality learning play experience for children.
ReplyDeleteCool post Jilly. Sounds like a fun activity. I thought it was great that you recognised that the children were exploring and role playing aspects of their community by talking about the rubbish truck. I also thought that the children may have been role playing someone in their family who might have driven over a toll road with them. It's amazing the things that children pick up on without adults even realising. Now post something else so I can comment :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jillian
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your entry and it was great to see how you supported the chilldren in their play. They were able to relate to real life event and also how to handle money.
I agree with Rana's comment that it is amazing to see how children's play relate to their life experience. I also agree with what you said above that social studies involve with children interacting with each other. This curriculum involves with people, places, things, events and time.
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