I love offering the children everyday, simple things, like Qtips, to design and create with. I always hope that by supplying the children common household products, they might even be inspired to try the activities at home.
On our math table, we supplied the children with a bunch of colorful Qtips that I purchased at The Dollar Tree. I drew boxes using a chalk paint marker on the table so the children would be encouraged to create their own designs and could come back to them later as they wished…
As we often do with our math table, the children spend the first day exploring the process any way they wish so I can observe what they think they might do with the materials or understand about creating designs…
If the children already seem to have a good idea of what the intention is, then I just continue with their ideas throughout the week. But if the children seem to be lost on what the intention was, then by the second day, I offer up suggestions or prompts to steer them in the direction I would like to see them try or consider…
One of my intentions for this particular process was to get the children to slow down and think more about their chosen designs. The children have been designing in some fashion or another all year long but they tend to “draw pictures” more than just focus on color, patterning, or designing…
I stopped by the table every once in awhile and simply begin creating my own design. Sometimes I leave a design unfinished while other times I complete it. I talk with the children as I am designing about how I am using this color here or adding that line there…
Some of the children are inspired to try their own designs while others still prefer to create more of a picture. I’m not concerned or all hung up on the children copying what I do. I am simply offering up ideas to inspire them…
All throughout the week, the children explored the process of designing with Qtips on the math table. As they did, I would overhear conversations about what they were doing or making. The children love to talk a lot at the math table…
One of my favorite things about the math table is that the process isn’t focused on making something to take home. You know, like gluing the Qtips to a piece of paper (although I like that at times too). Instead it is all about exploring and manipulating the materials. Because nothing is permanent, the children will keep coming back to design. They may add to a previous design or start over and create something entirely new. But the repetition gives them more confidence and helps them master the process that they are striving for…
Available on Amazon
Links to Grow On
At Play on the Math Table by Teach Preschool
6 Ways to Encourage Writing in Preschool by Teach Preschool
Cotton Swab Letter Painting by The-Stay-At-Home-Mom-Survival-Guide
