This month educator Trish had set up a craft activity for the children to create their own kites. She started by cutting some paper plates and streamers. Then she invited the children to come and glue some streamers onto the paper plate. During this activity the children very quickly stated that the glue was sticky. Some enjoyed the feeling of having their hands and fingers sticky, while others didn’t enjoy it so much.
A few days passed and before we went outside to fly our kites, the power went out in the center which sparked some conversations about the emergency lights. The children asked what happened, and we explained that the wind was so strong it knocked the power out! Trish then brought some of the children outside and explained to that we were going to fly the kites that they had made. We talked more about how we needed wind for the kites to fly. As the children were running around the playground flying their kites, Raiden said “look it’s blowing.” Bennett gave his kite to Trish and asked her to hold if for him. Jacob gave it to Trish and he asked her to put it in the trees. Before we knew it, all the children wanted to put their kites in the trees. We then stood back and watched them blow in the wind.
During this experience the children had lots of learning opportunities. They were able to explore the cause and effect with the weather. They were not able to see the wind but the kites would fly. For a short period of time we didn’t have enough wind, so the children had to use their gross motor skills and run around the playground in order for the kites to fly.
Educators will continue to enhance and set up different provocations. What else can we make fly?
