This afternoon I noticed that E was looking for something to do. Showing him the lawn mower I said to him “E, would you like to have a go at mowing the lawn?”. “E” was excited about playing with the lawn mower. He then turned to me and nodded, saying ''yeah... lawn mower'', then he reached out his hand and I offered it to him.
He started pushing it towards the grass area and as he walked on the grass, he stopped near the middle where there was a sand box storage."E was aware that he had to stop pushing the lawn mower to avoid hitting the box. I said to "E" "Great thinking "E" you stopped at the box so you will not hit it?". "E" turned and smiled as he acknowledged me. E then continued walking towards the fence, “E” knew he had to stop at the fence ahead of him in order not to hit it, and turned the lawn mower towards the other side of the fence. E realised that instead of walking straight into an object he would have to turn to avoid it. I said to him “Excellent work, E”. After doing so, he pushed the lawn mower towards the concrete and headed towards the garage door. Stopping in front of the garage door, he turned around still holding onto the lawn mower, holding the handle with one hand he turned and walked backwards as mentioned "Toddlers need opportunities for independent exploration and movement (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.5). He looked up at me, smiling as he says “look at me!” and I answered “wow, good job “E” your mowing the lawn ?".
Next time I will offer him more transportation objects where “E” could experience more learning resources through this.
References
Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in Early childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te whariki: He whariki matauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa. Wellington: Learning Media.
Wow! It is great that "E" was able to identify barriers in front of him that can cause him not to finish mowing the lawn. I liked the way you kept engaging with him and especially the use of encouragment and praise phrases. I believe that you identified a interest of "E" and I think that your idea to provide him with a range of transportation knowledge and resources is awesome. I will suggest that you share this reflection with his parents or guardian in order for you to gain more information about "E" in a home environment around lawn mowing or any other interests that you are able to build on in the centre before making assumptions.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
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ReplyDeleteMy boys both loved copying their Dad with their little plastic lawn mower. Like I reflected on in my post how valuable role playing is.
ReplyDeletePut the photo onto a USB stick, or onto the desktop where it is easy to find. I ouldn't get mine out of photos ???
then you will need to go to your dashboard and edit you post. Along the top of the message box is an icon to add photo. then upload, choose the smallsize, and placment on the page. Or Find the help button. Or give me a call I will talk you through.
Thanks Hester for you help, I was able to put pictures in but I cannot delete the large one. Thanks again for your help.
ReplyDeleteSorry Rose, I accidentally deleted your reply so hopefully I can rewrite now. Thanks Rose and I appreciate what you asked about assumptions. I asked his mother and yes,"E" does watch his father mow the lawn. She was I surprised when I
ReplyDeleteexplained about the way E mowed the lawn.
Bravo Veronica! I enjoyed reading the experience you had with E. Despite his age he responded well to your offer and he carefully avoided hitting any object as he mowed. Is this not what offering an opportunity to a child, to develop “skills in caring for the environment” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 58) is all about? I’m feeling jealous because we don’t have a real mower at my Centre. E’s mowing activity reminded me of a three and half year old boy, who made a mower using plastic construction toys. The boy spent the whole day “mowing” the grass around the Centre grounds.
ReplyDeleteYes, the idea of extending E’s learning by offering him more transporting objects is very good. Any ideas in mind? What about a vacuum cleaner? Do you have one at your Centre? Well done and good luck Veronica.
Miriam.
Reference:
Ministry of Education. (1996).Te Whāriki: He Whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Thanks Miriam yes funny enough E does push the pram also. Yes that is a great link I will put it in.
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica, Thats a big lawn for a wee fellow to mow. He's learning skills to mow his own lawn when he grows into a young addult. I like those photo's at the centre, I can see the tennis court you were telling the class about. I noticed the soccer ball is already to kick about after the lawns are mowed.I like your lovely learning story its down to earth and the little fellow has good spatial awareness,as you pointed out. good work Veronica, I like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mavis, I cannot remove the large picture. I will keep trying.
ReplyDeleteDONT WORRY people ! i managed to remove the LARGE picture problem :)
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you in providing an opportunity for the child to choose equipment which will be useful in their daily life in future. Also you appreciated the child when he stopped his mower when he finds the barrier. This will encourage and motivate him to use different equipment with cautious. And also by providing the child with an opportunity to use the lawn mover to learn a new skill. It is a wonderful to know a child at 2 and half years old shows an excellent skill in using an equipment like a lawn mower with great confidence
Hi liby,
ReplyDeleteYes I was amazed at Ezra's capabilities too. I asked his mum if he watches his father mow the lawn and she confirmed that he does so that's why he was able to mow the lawn by copying his father. Great memory he has and confident too
Oh don't you just love them at that age.... what a gem pushing that lawn mower over the grass and stopping at objects in the way!
ReplyDeleteVeronica how encouraging it is to see such a simple push along toy achieving so much learning for the children. Veronica you have great observation skills which allows you to gain knowledge and understanding of the children in the centre. You encouraged and guided E in his play allowing him to build confidence and imagination to cut that grass!
This reminded me of a child at my centre. we were outside on a sunny day, I watched J as he took the handles of the wheelbarrow and started pushing it back and forth. He then moved to another spot and did the same. He was on the concrete then the grass and so on. I asked him if he was mowing the lawn. He slightly turned his head in my direction but continued with the mowing say "yes." He went everywhere pushing the 'lawn mower.' He went inside and parked the 'lawn mower' in the family corner. He sat at the table with a plate and cup, he turned to a friend playing nearby and said, "lunch, me lunch." Then moments later he was back outside on the grass pushing the 'lawn mower' back and forth, he even went along the edging. I never thought to talk to his mum about mowing the lawn at home. I did do a learning story, so shared the experience that way. However, having a face to face discussion could have allowed me to gain more understanding and knowledge of where that play came from and where I could take it.
Thanks for sharing Veronica :)