The preschool children had the opportunity this summer to observe for themselves demolition, construction, and rebuilding. The children watched the workers use the big machines to clear pathways, dig into the ground, dump dirt into the trucks, etc. Every morning the children would watch the workers through the fence to see what they were going to do next. A few of the children had the opportunity to talk to the workers and asked them questions about the machines.
“Opportunities to engage with people, places, and the natural world in the local environment help children, families, educators, and communities build connections, learn and discover, and make contributions to the world around them. It fosters a sense of belonging to the local community, the natural environment.” (HDLH 2014, pg. 19)
The children created their own construction sites by bringing over trucks, bins, shovels, tubes, etc. The children were imitating what they were observing throughout the summer. They were recreating the images they observed. This was a nice experience for the children because they often worked as a team and in a group to create this construction site.
“Through play and inquiry, young children practise ways of learning and interacting with the world around them that they will apply throughout their lives. Problem solving and critical thinking, communication and collaboration, creativity and imagination, initiative and citizenship are all capacities vital for success throughout school and beyond.” (HDLH 2014, pg.15)
