Playful Learning, Learningful Play: Part I

As the twindles have gotten older and more independent, their play has changed.  They've gained more dexterity, vocabulary and so much curiosity you can almost see the brain pathways being built sometimes as they play.  Like if my ears were built for the right frequency, I'm pretty sure I'd hear sizzling sounds coming from their little heads...

Which has created this little tug on my heart, to challenge them with new and different experiences during play that would engage them and provide learning at the same time.  I mean, I'm all for light-up, plasticy things that sound like one-man-bands.  For sure, those provide much needed entertainment and  fun.  But what I'm really after is something that helps my babies connect to their environment.  Something that springboards off their natural curiosity, encourages them to try new things, builds vocabulary, and best of all would allow me to help them make individual discoveries along the way.  

In my quest, I've been finding out how other SAHMs (stay at home moms) do this.  Turns out, mothers are alot like a good grade level team.  We share a good idea when we have one and we shamelessly borrow the good ideas others have too.  In school we call this "collaboration".  In motherhood we call it blogging.   

I've blog-hopped alot in the last few weeks, gathering ideas and inspiration for sensory play and for "busy boxes".  Then I gathered materials. Some I had, some were Christmas gifts, and some I bought (nothing was expensive and all of it can be used for a long time in lots of ways).  Then I just went with it, doing one or two new things each day.  And here's what resulted:

Corn kernels.  I'll paint these with Tempera next time : (
Food coloring doesn't adhere well.

Mixing, scooping, pouring and rocking a "Pocahontas hat".

Caden wanted to get in.  So we got undressed to avoid the dye.
Who am I to stand in the way of discovery!!?

Balloons in the bath.  Some were empty, some had water in them.
All were fun to make sounds with and to drop into the water!

Their cups and bowls light up nicely, and were FREE!

Plastic bracelets light up too...  BONUS!
And sorting, yeah that ain't happening yet.

Dyed epsom salt.
Not much to look at here, but WAY COOL on the light panel!

Driving trucks through the salt was fun for about a second.
Scooping, pouring and sprinkling win every time.

Rainbow rice.  Simple to make, fun-fun-fun to play in!

And while pictures say so much, I hope you enjoy the following video clips too...

So with all that under our belt in the last week, where are we now?  Well, we learned alot.  Together.  Here are the highlights (can you imagine the long version?!??):

• Caden looooooves this stuff.
• Addison loooooooves seeing what she can get away with while playing with this stuff.
• It all works better when you set up an "invitation" rather than an "activity".  Both can be structured.  But activities have expected outcomes.  Invitations are simply opportunities.  Sort of like paint-by-numbers versus inspired art.  
• Rules and procedures are important.  And they need to be rehearsed before during and after play. Forever.  Just kidding, it only feels that way now.  First mistake, I didn't have any rules or procedures in place.  I know, I should have my teacher card revoked.  We all payed for that when the kids started throwing rice out of the box and onto the floor.  Ultimately I had to remove Addison for continued throwing.  (Side note:  Do you know how awesome handfuls of rice sound as they skitter under your stove and fridge?!?!  I almost wanted to join in.)  FAIL.  Our second time out, I told them what we were going to do before I opened the box, demonstrated what the rules were, and then praised as they played when they followed procedures.  Addison still got evicted from the island for throwing corn.  Our third time, everyone seemed to know the drill.  Both kids left and returned to the activity several times by choice, before Addison got evicted for salt throwing.  Shocker.  But by then the kids were asking to "Play?" while pointing to a Busy Box.  WIN!
• It's fun to participate appropriately in their play.  Not to take over.  Not to intrude.  Just to join in, when it feels right to them and to me.  Participating gives me a chance to model appropriate behavior.  Learn from them by asking questions.  Build their vocabulary by naming and describing things.  And build memories that I will always look back on with great fondness.  Plus, it's fun.  Seriously, we should all sift rice through our fingers every day.  
• It builds much-needed independence.   For the last few days the kids have asked for things.  Which I was able to provide.  Addison asked to "Play?" while pointing to the rainbow rice (check my little angel using inflection to ask a question!) and Caden said "Mo!" when I tried to pack up corn before he was ready.  They are learning to focus on a task, to follow a procedure, to expect natural consequences, and some organization to boot because all this sensory stuff has to be contained and stored somewhere. 
• It builds vocabulary and comprehension skills.  My inner teacher does Carlton's happy dance every time the kids use specific naming words or action words that they've learned from direct experience.  Because vocabulary comprehension has ALOT to do with expressive (speaking/writing) and receptive (listening/reading) literacy performance later on.        
• It helps to reflect and rehearse.  Often.  Talking about expectations (behavior, not outcomes) reinforces what I do want.  It gives the kids every opportunity to be caught doing the right thing instead of the wrong thing.  It allows me to cue them when I see them thinking about, oh I don't know, throwing rice?!?!  And it helps me be clear and concrete with consequences.  (You have to leave the busy box because you didn't keep the rice in the box.) 
• Press rewind and then replay!  Caden has taken a real interest in the camera and will stop his play to ask to look at my pictures or video.  So much so, that I often have to say, "Go play now so Mommy can take more pictures for you."  Playing back their play has been great for both kids.    I've been using the opportunity to describe what they're doing and praise what they're doing well...  They not only like this, they learn from it.  Plus, they love seeing themselves in action.   Double smiles every time!!