We Let them use Scissors...

I manage the water.  Its the policy...

But, one of the most important parts of my job as an educator is the process of reflecting on my practices. Reflecting means asking myself WHY.. asking does it matter...discerning what is the purpose...

On this unusually warm February morning, we were in desperate need for some water to make the sand stick to a castle in the sandbox.  

At the same time, someone else was in desperate need of a helmet to ride a tricycle.  

While attending to the helmet need (safety first!) I noticed that the children were helping themselves to the water.  

Of course they were, we've taught them that.  We put things out where they can reach them, because we hope they will use their tools as they begin to build their independence.  There are scissors, pencils, and glue in every center.  SCISSORS.  We let them use scissors independently.  We have taught them how to use them, how to be safe with them, and how to be responsible.  Now we expect those behaviors and 99% of the time we get them.  

So why is water different.  As I watched and evaluated, I decided that the worst that might  happen would be that someone got wet.  Okay.  Not the end of the world.  

As they began to meet their own needs with the water, more needs arose.  The dump truck became a vessel for transporting water to the eager hands in the sandbox.  The newly sprouted carrots needed a drink.  Hands needed to be washed.  

I did not have to teach them how to manage the water.

It teaches itself :)  Look at her face!  

We noticed that the less you squeezed, the less it sprayed and splashed our friends. 

We found that a little will do.  We found that our friends are patient and  understanding as we are learning.   

I learned and they learned.  We all got wet.  No one melted.  It was great...