One wet snowy day, the school age children had the opportunity to get creative with an item called Crazy Forts. “What are these?” Samuel asked with curiosity. “Well, they are for creating with,” educator Janeth replied. “They are called Crazy Forts, but you can make what you would like.”
A group of children began to discuss what they could begin to make, while placing one of the ball pieces on the green stick. “What about if we make a bus?” Moyosola asked. “Yeah, let’s make a bus, good idea,” said Praise. Cari, Tarasha, Bhupinder our Conestoga College student, and Samuel joined. They began to attach pieces together, that began looking like a cube. “I think we need the front part higher so the bus driver can go in,” Samuel suggested. “I will work on this.” The rest of the group was cooperating to build the back of the bus. At one point, Bhupinder placed two sticks that looked like a “V” on the side. “Bhupinder,” Praise began, “This is going to break like this, and maybe the whole bus will break. Can we put it straight like the others?” Bhupinder saw her point and agreed. So, they attached it straight to make the bus sturdier.
“How about we put chairs, so we can go on the bus?” Cari asked the group. “Okay, let me get the chair,” Praise said. As she was carefully lifting the chair to accommodate it in the driver’s seat, Moyosola offered to get down on the floor. “I’m down here to see that it won’t break. Yes Praise, keep going,” said Moyosola. “Oh no, it broke,” she reported as she noticed the leg of the chair hit the side. “I can help,” said Samuel. He quickly fixed the problem and they continued to carefully add chairs to their bus. “I am going to see if I can go in,” said Moyosola. She tested out the drivers chair to make sure their bus wouldn’t break while her peers observed. They cheered as they saw her success.
“Would you like some blankets to add to your bus?” educator Janeth asked. “Yes please!” they all chimed in. Janeth went to the centre and returned with many blankets for the children to use as they wished. Catherine was curious at what had been created. “Can I join you guys and come on the bus?” She asked. “Of course, “said Praise.
“Okay, I will be the driver,” Samuel announced. They each took a blanket and found a seat. Once Samuel was in the driver’s seat, he added a green stick to represent where his steering wheel would be. “Are you ready?” He asked. The children pretended they were off to a destination, and when they arrived, they went to wash their hands to eat their afternoon snack, before they would board the bus once again.
This innovative idea allowed the school age children to engage in symbolic play, using these loose parts to create their bus. There was lots of communication used as they shared their points of view and they had opportunities for problem solving. Allowing the children time to freely express their ideas, and engage in this dramatic play supports their social interactions and their ability to see another’s point of view, as well as see and celebrate their collaborative work.
We wonder what other items such as the Crazy Forts we can add for the children to continue to express their creative thinking? Can you think of something, perhaps in your home that could be added? Let us know.
