In free play time, Cynthia took a wooden block from building corner and a handsaw.
First, she tried to cut the wooden block with handsaw. But then, she thought twice and realized that it would look real if she put together two wooden blocks and pretend to cut where the two pieces come together!
More children started participating in her activity, by stacking blocks against the wall and creating a spontaneous workshop.
It was a symbolic play children started themselves and which helped them further develop their imagination, creativity, fine motor skill development and cooperation. Plus having fun, of course!
(by Evangelia Nteka, teacher in toddlers’ class in Athens)
Life-derived Learning 