Children love to explore and wonder about the world around them. During a nature walk the 3 and 4-year olds encountered a Touch-me-not plant. It piqued their curiosity, they all wanted to touch it and as they were experiencing the effects, a few of them got into a spontaneous conversation.
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Conversation that occurred-
Ar –“Hey look it closes” S – “Yes! I know this it’s a touch me not plant” F – Why is it called so? P – “Because it does not like to be touched” S –“When you touch them it closes like a snap plant” (Carnivorous plant) Facilitator – Why do you think it closes? Ay – “Maybe it gets hurt” Ar – “Maybe they are tired and sleepy” Is (Agreeing)- “Yes maybe they get tired when someone touches it so they sleep off” S –“I think when someone touches it, it closes and hides automatically like an automatic car” Facilitator – Why should they hide? S – “So that nobody plucks it” |
The discussion brought out the knowledge that the children had about the plant but it went further. It helped them discover connections to other areas of their knowledge, worked its way through connections to themselves before arriving at technology. Their hypothesis that it probably closes to hide itself is pretty testable and can be led into further discussions. This particular one led us to discuss about different defense mechanisms plants use and how it helps them. For 3 & 4-year olds it is not curriculum, it is learning to wonder about the world around them so that they can wonder more and learn more.
Contributed by Grace Veronica, Facilitator, Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool
Reviewed and Edited by Sreeja Iyer, CEO Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool
Contributed by Grace Veronica, Facilitator, Sparkling Mindz Global Preschool
Reviewed and Edited by Sreeja Iyer, CEO Sparkling Mindz Global School & Preschool