Kudos!

In March, the 3 & 4 year old classes at my preschool engage in a learning unit about construction.  This is always a favorite unit as there is lots of hands-on learning available to the children.  I am fortunate to employ a number of very creative and dedicated teachers who are always looking for ways to make learning fun.  One of the teachers in the 4 year old class remembered something she had recently read and applied it to her class.  She provided the children with our homemade playdough and then added golf tees and plastic hammers to the playdough table.  The children LOVED it!  They were always successful both at pounding the tees and pulling them out.  They had FUN, they developed their small motor skills, hand strength, and hand-eye coordination.  They learned to cooperate with others and expanded their vocabulary.  In the past, we have pounded into Styrofoam, wood scraps, tree trunks, and even pumpkins but what could be simpler than a mound of purple playdough?!  Sometimes we just need to remember that "less is more" and that we don't need expensive, elaborate manipulatives to reinforce a concept.  Thanks--I needed that!