Knowledge arises neither from objects nor the child, but from interactions between the child and those objects.
— Jean Piaget
The Nuts and Bolts of Discovery
For the young child, access to materials ,freedom to manipulate, alter, and mix them with others materials, on their own way, are the nuts and bolts of discovery.
Learning begins as young children manipulate and play with objects, using their bodies and all their senses to gain a better understanding about the objects.
“The child is the chief architect of his own mental model of the world.”
“I’m gonna make many houses,” announces O, as he stacks colored acrylic squares on top of red and yellow Avon cups.
In addition learning is also a social experience connecting meaningful exchanges among children and adults.
Here, other children share their ideas on how to build “stronger” structures.
“Lets build a A Zig Zag Super Tall Tower.”
The children’s interests and questions lead to more exploration. As inventors, children create unique solutions to problems that may arise.
“ Go get some chairs, we can’t reach the tower top.”
The children need to feel secure in the knowledge that an adult is available to help if needed.
“Oh no, we can’t reach the top anymore. Ms. Maria, we need you to help us”. It was my turn to help the children and add more Avon plastic cups.
“Easy, steady…we made it,” they chant.
Ahhh, Mission Accomplished!
And it all went tumbling down.