We introduced different length PVC pipes and connectors into the classroom two weeks ago. We placed the PVC pipe in the classroom environment and waited until the children discovered them. At first, the pipes were swords and rifles. Then, a group of children discovered that when a flashlight is put in the tube, a light saber is formed!
Light sabers took over the classroom until a child found out you could connect the pipes to make really long/tall pipes that touch the ceiling.
Math manipulatives are usually thought of as brightly colored bears or shapes that can be used for sorting, counting and patterning. Our PVC pipes have turned into math manipulatives except the preschool children don't even know they are manipulating math! They are exploring concepts such as bigger, smaller, shorter, longer, taller, tallest and more! They are counting the pipes in their creations to see how many small pipes it took to build a long pipe and who has more pipes and who has less.
And then this happened...
"Look! I made a 4!"
The children created this learning all on their own. All we have to do as teachers is provide an environment where children have access to open ended materials and the TIME to spend creating, exploring and playing!
Trust us. Trust your child. Trust the process. Children will learn when they are ready to learn when given the time and materials to do so.
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