#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Come on out to chat, #kinderchat! Please introduce yourself, let us know where you are from, and how your Spring Break was? ( I am assuming you have all had one!)
Hello everyone, I'm Cassie. I am a student at the University of Utah. I spent my Spring Break at home, working, and volunteering in a kindergarten class.
#kinderchat
I'm Liane, your facilitator this evening, from Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Spring Break is over tomorrow. It's been a fun one with lots of down time, binge watching Supernatural, and I attended my 12th BCTF AGM (four days of fun in downtown Vancouver) #kinderchat
Hi everyone, my name is Liz. I'm a student at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. I'm studying special education but would like to work with younger elementary! #Kinderchat
Looks like there is a small group tonight, but that's awesome! I had planned some questions around risky play in the outdoor classroom, not just at recess or lunch playtimes with the rest of the class. #kinderchat
Q1: Before we get into that in the outdoor classroom, I am curious what you define as risky play? How do you encourage risky play inside the classroom? For our pre-service teachers, how can you implement risky play into your practicum experiences in the classroom?
#kinderchat
Hey! This is my first time on this chat! I am from Pennsylvania and a current student at Grove City College. I spent my Spring Break at my grandparents' house and spent time with them playing games. Excited to be here! #kinderchat
Hi Lydia! Welcome to the chat! Your Spring Break sounds nice. I'll be posting some questions throughout the hour and I am focussing on outdoor/experiential learning with a focus on risky play tonight. #kinderchat
A1: Risky play is a natural part of how children play. I find it can be challenging for some kids as they do not feel comfortable taking a chance on something new. It's a great way for kids to explore boundaries though :) #kinderchat
A1: I see risky play as a way to explore traditional physical boundaries in a classroom. I see risky play most commonly in the form of tools and elements in my class. #kinderchat
A1: I know that I encourage risky play in the classroom, by taking a step back from being the one in "control". Encourage the kids to try building something higher, touching something they think is icky (pumpkin guts!), playing with something or someone new. #kinderchat
Q1
Risky play is something that children will have fun doing but there is possibility for getting hurt, that is why it is important to supervise it. A way to incorporate it into the class would be doing an activity outside where they can climb trees and explore.
#Kinderchat
HI everyone my name is Ashley. I am a student at the University of Wisconsin Platteville studying Elementary Education with a dream to teach lower elementary! I went to Florida for spring break! #Kinderchat@ErinEdgington
A1: I know that I encourage risky play in the classroom, by taking a step back from being the one in "control". Encourage the kids to try building something higher, touching something they think is icky (pumpkin guts!), playing with something or someone new. #kinderchat
I'm curious. What tools and elements would you define as risky? I had been advocating fro hammers and nails for years in my room, but it wasn't allowed. I love hearing what others use inside. #kinderchat
Really?? I find that hard to believe! I had kids before spring break finally realize they could stand on the chair when they were building a massive wall of red solo cups! #kinderchat
Q2: What sort of risky play do you see or encourage in the outdoor classroom? Not at recess and lunch times, but when you have outdoor learning times. #kinderchat
A1: I believe that risky play is when children test and experiment with their physical capabilities and boundaries. In the classroom we can implement risky play by encouraging the experimentation with new things and making friends #Kinderchat
For one of my science lessons this year the students experimented with their senses by trying to figure out what substance was in a closed box. They had to go out on a limb and trust the learning process to touch/smell various items like toothpaste/fruit/seeds. #kinderchat
A2
As a teacher I would encourage going out and finding worms when it rains to be able to learn their parts later on in the classroom. I did that when I was in kindergarten and I had so much fun with that activity.
#Kinderchat
A2: My students go outside for two hour blocks int eh morning on Monday/Wednesday. Recently they have been exploring a larger area for hide and seek, have started to use sticks in their play, and are trying to climb trees. #kinderchat
Q2: For a recent lesson, I encouraged students to explore the school grounds in order to let them see what animals and bugs they could find! #kinderchat#riskyplay
Risky play gives children the opportunity to extend their limits and learn life and learning skills. One way I would implement risk play in my classroom is by continually reinforcing that making mistakes is part of the learning process #kinderchat
I have seen kindergarten students go outside and draw/color different kinds of flowers/leaves with a partner. They were encouraged to go out on a limb and give each type of flower/leaf a name #kinderchat
A2: We encourage risky play during the winter when we sled and build snow forts in the school park. This fosters imagination
and allows students to become little architects! #Kinderchat
A2: I have seen different teachers allow their students to do different scavenger hunts or collect natural goods for experiments independently before meeting back for whole group #Kinderchat
How do you get those kids who are not keen on picking up worms to do so? I have to do SO much modelling of that with my kids. Some of them have never seen a worm before! #kinderchat
Q2: What sort of risky play do you see or encourage in the outdoor classroom? Not at recess and lunch times, but when you have outdoor learning times. #kinderchat
Risky play gives children the opportunity to extend their limits and learn life and learning skills. One way I would implement risk play in my classroom is by continually reinforcing that making mistakes is part of the learning process #kinderchat
A2: Risky play is any thrilling or exciting activity to a child. I think by implementing this into the classroom, you should let the child do whatever excites them. I think it's very important to have choice in the classroom. #Kinderchat
We do not have good climbing trees, but I keep encouraging them to try. We have these big old cedars with few low branches. I wish we had some climbing trees. #kinderchat
A2: In the outdoor classroom, I would encourage the children to help each other. Creating a buddy system to encourage teamwork, communication, and co-operation can help. #kinderchat
Q2: As a student, I remember playing in the bushes and making mini forts. To look out of the "forts" we had to climb the branches and peek our head out of the top! #Kinderchat
A2: We can't engage in too much risky play outside of the classroom for discovery because our construction is in the way and there's not much room for exploration :(. #kinderchat
A1: Risky play is any thrilling or exciting activity to a child. I think by implementing this into the classroom, you should let the child do whatever excites them. I think it's very important to have choice in the classroom #Kinderchat
#Kinderchat
I would demonstrate that it is okay to touch them by doing so, I will pick them up and touch them myself. I would also give them the choice to pick them up with sticks or just to even get close enough to see them. Modeling that you will do it with them is comforting
Even carrying a heavy log together- creates fabulous sense of team work and shows that even little kids can carry big things! Logs, bags of sand, dig holes. Not that those are “risky”- sadly they are now! #kinderchat
#Kinderchat
Maybe another way would be to collect the leaves from the trees and take them into the classroom and use magnifying glasses to look at their veins and the different textures.
They didn't start until the summer but it's going to be a Pre-k to 8th grade school. It should be done by January 2019. I just miss taking the kids for walks around the field and finding stuff. #kinderchat
I... ahhh... I don't know about that one 😂😭😂😭😂😭 I've loosened up and done more risk taking on the things I've missed out on as a kid since turning 20 and found that I loved it! But idk about the worm thing 😭😭😭 #kinderchat
Reading this definitely brings back memories from when I was in elementary school. Playing with "wizard wands" was a very popular activity! #Kinderchat
That is still a control issue I am working on. When I watch them roll our big stumps over, I have to bite my tongue to prevent the "be careful" from coming out or doing it for them. #kinderchat
I bet. I don't know what I would do. We stayed in for a bit this winter, and I finally said ENOUGH and took them out. I missed it, and instantly saw a change in behaviours. This must be so challenging for you! #kinderchat
A3: When in the outdoor classroom, I have noticed that students are more willing to take risks and are more energetic. There is faster pace learning going on between students! #Kinderchat
A3: In the outdoor classroom I notice play similar to play during indoor center time, although there seems to be more animal related play. For example, a group of students in my class routinely play make believe as a cat family! #kinderchat
I usually issue 1 warning (after I’ve scaffolded in my rules/boundaries throughout the year) I tell them, “look it’s ok w me as long as nobody gets hurt- be safe and help each other.” #kinderchat
A3: I love watching the development of risk over the year. Kids started out very timid with jumping over logs, digging for and touching creepy crawlies, and now they go outside and take over the space. Recently "fishing" and campfires have been a big deal with sticks #kinderchat
They respect that bc it gives them control, power but within a boundary. They feel safe, but free. #kinderchat Lots of scaffolding in though- as soon as I say stop it’s shut down. And I can say “stop” w my eyeballs!
Interesting, as my students went through a total "we are dinosaurs" stage. I wonder if they just feel more confident to be an animal with the extra room. #kinderchat
A3: In the outdoor classroom I notice play similar to play during indoor center time, although there seems to be more animal related play. For example, a group of students in my class routinely play make believe as a cat family! #kinderchat
We're able to go outside but our playground is smaller and we share our recess with another grade. My kids love to run and make up games so I try to get them out weather permitting. #kinderchat
A3
In the outdoor play, I have noticed the children tend to play "house". Someone will be the "mom" while the others are her "kids" and they will pretend to go to school or they will go shopping. It is fun to see them take on these roles.
#Kinderchat
Dinosaurs, love it! I imagine the extra room does encourage that. I also wonder if being in nature/outdoorsy setting plays into the desire to be animals. #kinderchat
There is, isn't there. The negotiations are swift, as well as communication between them. We are working on problem solving outside. Trying to cut down on the "tattles" and "oh I am dying because I touched a worm" reports. #kinderchat
A3: when I am in the outdoor classroom, I notice that students "act out" what they see and talk to each other in ways that they see outside of school #kinderchat
Oh you’re really rockin and rolling w cat play! sounds like a damn I don’t know what but man those cats (which magically morph into cat mermaids or whatever weird thing) gets LOUD #KINDERCHAT
Really? That is so interesting to me. I am trying to put together an outdoor "mud" kitchen, and I wonder if this will start happening when I get it together. #kinderchat
One major theme that I see in outdoor play is imagination. Many children put themselves in stories where they are pirates or fighting dragons. I have also done this during my years of childhood. #Kinderchat
A3
In the outdoor play, I have noticed the children tend to play "house". Someone will be the "mom" while the others are her "kids" and they will pretend to go to school or they will go shopping. It is fun to see them take on these roles.
#Kinderchat
There is definitely a sense of enhanced communication and collaboration with being outside. This may be an attribute of a more open and imagination fostering environment. #Kinderchat
A3: In outdoor play, I've noticed a lot more excitement and make believe play. I work at a daycare and that is all the kids want to do. When kids have more energy and they have more of an imagination, I think that this is when risky play also increases. #kinderchat
Q4: Rough and tumble play is often a heated discussion, but an important one. What are your thoughts, ideas, fears, rules about rough and tumble play outside? (this can also be called "puppy play")
#kinderchat
Of course! They are role playing a million things- “house” being the number one!! #kinderchat Playing and replaying over and over to make sense of the world. It’s actual LEARNING
I wanna say too... As I've said in here in the past... My school didn't promote outdoor learning as it felt like they wanted us to stay inside unless it was recess. I remember the material more when we went outside than inside #KinderChat
A4: Our school has a two finger touch policy for tag, which is the most common "rough and tumble" play we see outside. I like this rule because it allows the students to engage in the play they want, while at the same time keeping them safe. #kinderchat
#kinderchat I would define risky play as children testing their limits, exploring boundaries, and looking for challenges. I encourage children to continue challenging themselves by asking deeper thinking questions
A4: We do a lot of puppy play outside when it is just us. I go through a lot of modelling with the Ss about looking at the face of the person you are grappling with. As soon as a face is not smiling or laughing, you stop playing and check in. #kinderchat
A4
I feel like it is something that children will always do but there definitely should be boundaries about how rough the children should play. Rough play should always be monitored for the reason of someone getting really hurt.
#kinderchat
A4: As an aspiring T, okay but when someone wants out or I guess "taps out" ... they need to respect that. I think, too, not force others into it. Keep it to those only participating, basically. #KinderChat
Q4: Rough and tumble play is often a heated discussion, but an important one. What are your thoughts, ideas, fears, rules about rough and tumble play outside? (this can also be called "puppy play")
#kinderchat
It is important for children to learn boundaries (their own as well as those of others), so I believe (in theory, at least!) that rough and tumble play is fair game as long as there are no bad intentions and no actual injuries #kinderchat
A4: I believe rough and tumble play should be limited. It is also important to keep in mind the background of the Ss. Rules on this type of play is easier for some Ss to follow than others just based on their siblings and background/ what they are used to at home. #Kinderchat
A4: We also have our gym teacher teach wrestling (some years) which does help them learn about appropriate ways to wrestle. I do supervise it, but try to just float near them. We also go over the "no faces/necks" rules. Some years it goes better than others. #kinderchat
Rough play tends to be discouraged and viewed as dangerous, however, it is a viable part of a child’s development. Whether it is solitary or with peers, rough play supports a multitude of skills and developmental domains including physical, emotional and cognitive.#kinderchat
A4: Rough play tends to be discouraged and viewed as dangerous, however, it is a viable part of a child’s development. Whether it is solitary or with peers, rough play supports a multitude of skills and developmental domains including physical, emotional and cognitive.#Kinderchat
I agree with you that it is an integral part of a child's development, as long as the play is not one sided and no one is getting hurt! This is why it is so important that we keep a close eye #Kinderchat
#Kinderchat
I really like the idea of having one. I might bring it up to the school I work with to see about maybe getting one for our kids. I also want one when I start teaching myself.
Yes!! Folks should really check out @MovingSmartNow work on how all of this physicality works together to form essential links for learning! #kinderchat
