Journal

Curiosity is a powerful catalyst for learning. Luckily, we are all born curious. It is not something that needs to be taught, but instead, it needs to be nurtured, and supported. Classrooms and other learning environments are the perfect place to cultivate curiosity. Teaching methods that value the learning process, prioritize student interest, and promote student discovery are more likely to elicit curiosity and engage children in meaningful learning experiences. There are a number of ways we can cultivate curiosity in our classrooms. Wonder Aloud - Share our own wonders aloud with our students. Encourage Exploration - When children are empowered to explore they have an opportunity to build curiosity and investigate things that intrigue them. Open-Ended Materials - Open-ended materials offer opportunities for exploration. When materials do not have one fixed purpose or function, children can be creative and experiment in ways that are unique to their own interests, ideas, and discoveries. Follow Student Interest - When we intentionally observe our students and carefully listen to their thoughts we learn a lot about what interests them. Ask Open-Ended Questions - When we ask our students powerful open-ended questions we invite them to think deeper and build their curiosity. Powerful Provocations - Provocations provoke thought, curiosity, and creativity, and invite students to explore and investigate. Read more on the topic of curiosity on the Kodo Community! Kodo materials featured in this blog: Wind Tunnel Play Silks Toddler Ball Run Messy Material Tray Wooden Stacking Discs Wooden Tubes Wool Creakside Story Props Wool People Story Props

  Classroom climate plays an essential role in how students learn and grow. When students feel accepted, appreciated, inspired, and supported they are more likely to engage in meaningful learning. Play-based learning using open-ended materials helps to Build Positive Relationships Between Teachers and Students Foster Friendships Promote Problem-Solving and Creative Thinking Building positive relationships begins with establishing trust. We build trust with our students by spending time with them, showing an interest in their learning, and creating a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings. Friendships are fostered when students can engage with one another, share ideas, create together, and build teamwork as they work through challenges and celebrate victories. Play-based learning with open-ended materials also prompts students to problem-solve and think creatively. Instead of being told what to create, or how to play, versatile materials require students to use their imagination, think outside the box, and work through trial and error. As they build and innovate they will undoubtedly encounter problems that require creative solutions. This exploratory process of learning helps to develop students’ sense of self and builds stamina and perseverance, all of which contribute to social and emotional competency. So let’s give our students the gift of play! The time they spend playing will enhance the relationships they have with us as teachers, help them to foster meaningful friendships, and prompt them to problem-solve and think creatively! Read more about fostering positive classroom climate on the Kodo Community! Kodo materials featured in this blog: Discovery Ramps Magnifying Blocks Wooden Stacking Cones Finger Puppets Round Tray Set Mirrored Shape Set Loose Parts Natural Mix Wooden Stacking Trunks Toddler Table Towers Wooden Stacking Discs Toddler Play Table Rainbow Peg Set Toddler Ramp Wooden Arch Set

What is International Mud Day? In 2009, Gillian McAuliffe, Pedagogista and Founder of Bold Park Community School in Perth, Australia, attended the World Forum for Early Childhood Care and Education. There, she had an insightful discussion with a Nepalese colleague about children's challenges when playing together in the mud. After contemplating the obstacles between many children and their ability to enjoy the simple, natural act of playing in the mud (such as cultural preferences for cleanliness, lack of access to "disposable" clothing that can be dirtied and proper cleaning supplies, or dry, sandy geography not conducive to muddy conditions), she shared her experience with a group of 7 and 8-year-olds. Together, they raised funds to gift the children at Panchkhal orphanage in Bishnu, Nepal, clothing so they could play in the mud together. Now, every year on June 29th, children (and adults) across the globe celebrate International Mud Day as a way to connect and celebrate the natural joys of playing in the mud! Reflecting on International Mud Day at Kodo Kodo is no stranger to mud! Our educators understand the importance that active and messy play has on children’s development. As children move, mix, slip, scoop, and play around in the mud, they experience firsthand the transformation of materials (rudimentary chemistry), and changes in temperature (a measurable attribute), and as an added benefit they’ll have a wonderful shared experience with their peers! Play with mud and slurry often supports children to gain new understandings about the processes of absorption, solubility, and even evaporation. They may not use those adult terms, but nonetheless will have first-hand experience of these concepts as they play with these wonderful earthly elements. Kodo founder Chris Hume remarks, "Mud Day provides so many opportunities for children to have new experiences and step out of their normal daily routines. On this special day, children are encouraged to get dirty, the opposite to what they are accustomed to. Often we see children hesitate and look to the adults for approval before they dive in. With this approval, they are empowered to truly explore by slathering mud on their arms and legs all while building enormous waterways and magical potions. By providing tools and containers we have seen children explore and experience mud play for hours on end. They come away with a deeper understanding of nature and new perspective on the definition of dirty." Tips for Creating Educational Moments: Invite children to dictate their slurry recipes to you Ask questions to fuel discovery: What does it feel like? How are you making it? What is your recipe? What tools are you using to make it, measure it, and mix it? How much will you make? How will you use it when you're done? Use enriching vocabulary such as slurry, concoction, viscosity, soupy, gloppy, runny, squishy, etc. How can you participate? Mud Day was meant to be celebrated from anywhere in the world, and you can join the fun no matter where you are! We’ve found the easiest way to find a locally organized event is to search “International Mud Day” on Facebook and filter results as “events”. Having trouble locating an event near you? It’s easy to host an International Mud Day event on your own! On its most basic level, all you need is dirt, water, and friends! Ingredients for a successful mud day event: There’s no such thing as mud day without lots of dirt! Topsoil can be found at hardware stores, on Craigslist, dug up from your backyard… and the more dirt, the better! To turn that dirt into mud, we’ll need water! Having a nearby hose is the easiest way to supply water for a muddy mess. You’ll need lots of dedicated space for play. Mud day is even better with friends, family, and neighbors – all ages should be welcomed and encouraged. Mud-approved attire is necessary – you can wear anything you don’t mind getting mucky! Swimsuits, t-shirts, shorts – if it’s parent-approved for making a mess, then it’s ready for Mud Day! Get active! Set up muddy slip and slides, mud crawl races, and other active events to help people dive right in! Tools like buckets, shovels, pans, spoons, and other materials can inspire dramatic play and creativity. An open mind, imagination, and patience – things will get messy, very, very messy, but very, very fun! Insights and Advice from seasoned mud day celebrators: Be prepared! Store a stack of clean towels in a place separate from the muddy play. Bring a change of clothes for the car ride home. Have a good nozzle for your hose – this will make cleaning off much much easier. Resist the urge to jump in a pool while covered in mud! Your swimming pool’s plumbing and filter system will thank you. If you’re limited on space or concerned about containing the mess, fill a plastic pool with dirt and water. The pool won’t be able to completely contain every drop of mud, but it’s a better option than having no Mud Day festivities at all. Offer children a place to interact with mud or slurry that doesn't involve immersing themselves in it. Everyone has a different level of comfort with sensory experiences. For some, participating in a small way is just enough! There’s a good chance someone will get upset, and it most likely won’t be a child. It can be overwhelming for some adults to see the mud and muck, especially when/if the mud starts to stray outside the designated play space into “clean zones”. Stay calm and keep it all in perspective – at the end of the day, a little dirt is proof of play! So, will you be celebrating International Mud Day? If you do, please share your photos and help tell the world about International Mud Day! We’d love to see your Mud Day photos, and encourage you to tag @kodokids on Instagram or tag us on Facebook! Happy International Mud Day, everyone! Go out, get muddy, and have some fun! International Mud Day History Source: http://www.boldpark.com/history-international-mud-day/

This year has been hard. The kind of hard that only feels recognized as you pass your fellow teachers in the hall and you share a nod of knowing. Right now it’s like being a dough that gets stretched from every direction. Continuing to be pulled until strands are so small they’re barely attached or the piece comes off entirely. Through all the stretching, changing, and flexibility moments of joy flit in. Some joy moments are so fast we barely see them other times it fills your chest like you’re breathing air for the first time.   To bring joy back it’s important to first identify what gives you joy. For me my heart soars when I see a child engaged with materials and creating the design of their dreams. The moment it is finished they look to adults or peers to share in their creation. The smiles are so big. Joy could look like: big belly classroom laughs connecting one-on-one with a child sharing stories meaningful conversations with parents Our joy may look different, even throughout the year, and by acknowledging and celebrating that joy, we can cultivate it.  One way to cultivate joy in the classroom is by modeling the process to children. Start with designating a time, space, or area for joy cultivation to take place.       In this example, we created a shining joy window. Children, parents, and staff were given Discovery Boards to write, paint, or draw something that brings them overflowing happiness. As we created we shared stories and dreamed of new experiences that would make us feel joy. Children created representations of their favorite people, places, colors, and even some cotton candy chickens who lay cotton candy eggs. Joy can exist in the moments that have passed and the ones that we create together.                             We hung the boards on the window using tape, suction cups, and pipe cleaners. When the sun peeks through the boards it will shift the colors and images in the room as it illuminates all the joy from the people in the space. We reflected on our discovery boards, talking about how the different parts communicated the deep joy that we feel. It was a moment of pause to listen as the words, smiles, and laughter of the storytellers shared a meaningful experience. Reflection provides information about how the individual children in your class experience joy. As an educator there should be moments for you to fully express the aspects of your joy. An additional resource to this blog is a place to reflect and collect your stories as we move through this series to Find Joy.  The opportunity as a classroom to reflect on and create joyful moments together may be just the refresh your classroom needs. As a class, you can begin to extend and receive joy in turn that cultivates a community of laughter, connection, and happiness.  With this week’s blog, we’ve included a reflection journal and encourage you to take some time to reflect on the moments that bring you joy. Download here: Finding Joy Journal