Helping Children Make Connections

During UpCycle's Materials Playgroups we set up experiences to make children think and make connections between experiences and various materials. 

We have been noticing the children's strong interest in balls and rolling them down tubes and gutter pieces. We invited the children to experience clay and the tubes in a new way. We connected these two activities! This prompted delight with the children as they immediately understood the connection. They tested small and large clay balls, flattened balls and lumpy balls. Some went fast, others slow. And guess what! Rubber balls bounce; clay balls do not! It is exciting to watch children create new understandings and connections by joining what they see and experience with previous understandings.

​At the easel we continued the "round" idea. The children painted the round shapes of apple box dividers. 

​The teachers, caretakers and parents in the class are partners with the children-thinking in new ways. It's all about connecting!