Childhood101

playing. learning. growing.

  • Learning Activities
    • Mathematics
    • Literacy
    • Social Emotional Learning
    • Distance Learning Resources
    • Coding for Kids
    • Science & Nature
    • Art & Craft
    • Holidays/Celebrations
    • Best Books for Kids
    • Products We Love
  • Play Ideas
    • Group Games for Kids
    • Sensory Play Ideas
    • Outdoor Play
    • Fun Play Spaces
    • Pretend Play
    • Lego Challenges
  • PRINTABLES
  • Books for Kids
    • Picture Books
    • Chapter Books
    • Graphic Novels
  • Activities By Age
    • School Age Learners
    • Pre+K Learners
    • Toddler Play
    • Baby Play
  • SHOP

Are 3 year olds too young to vote?

Childhood 101 | Emergent Curriculum - Are 3 Year Olds Too Young to Vote

Yesterday I posted the wonderful Hundred Languages of Children and today I would like to share a very small portion of a learning journey story involving a group of 3 year olds and a strawberry that I hope will help to illuminate what I love about an Emergent Curriculum approach to early learning.

The children in this 3 year old class had been growing fruit and vegetables, including strawberries. Alongside the actual growing, the educator had been sharing a number of related stories including ‘The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear‘ by Don Wood. In this book, a little mouse takes all manner of measures in an attempt to hide and disguise his red, ripe strawberry from the big hungry bear he hears coming.

The children were very familiar with the story after repeated readings and opportunities to role play the story with a variety of dramatic play props (during free play time, not as a structured experience).

One morning the children arrived to find that on the table was a plate with a half eaten strawberry on it. The first few children took little notice but then M. arrived and on seeing the strawberry exclaimed loudly, “The big hungry bear was here!” A group of children gathered round and an enthusiastic discussion ensued (which included their educator) about whether or not the big hungry bear had in fact visited the centre – the evidence for the claim being the half eaten strawberry apparently left by the bear.

The educator suggested the group go outside to ensure that the rest of the strawberries growing in their garden were still safe. They were relieved to find that the strawberries in the garden were fine but the children decided that they needed to take measures to protect the strawberries from potential future bear visits. They discussed potential ways to protect their fruit and decided one way would be to make a sign to warn the bear to stay away.

Childhood 101 | Understanding Emergent Curriculum - Are 3 Year Olds Too Young to Vote

They headed back inside and three children volunteered to each draw a mock up of what the sign should look like. They drew their designs with marker pen on A4 paper, in consultation with the educator about what their design might need in order to act as an effective deterrent to the bear. The three children then each presented their design back to the larger group, with the help of the educator describing each of their signs to the group. The group were told that they needed to vote for which design they thought would work the best to keep away the bear. Each child placed a vote with a token and told the group why they chose that design.

The winning design was redrawn onto a large sheet of paper with text scribed by the educator as told to her by the child.

Notice the very effective cross across the bear part of the poster!

So why have I shared this story? Yesterday my post talked about the importance of an image of the child as a capable, competent, curious and creative learner. I believe this example perfectly illustrates young children engaged in learning that effectively activates each of these four competencies.

This is what learning in an Emergent Curriculum program looks like.

Read more of the Understanding Emergent Curriculum series;

PerspectivesUnderstanding Emergent Curriculum - Perspectives An Image of the ChildUnderstanding Emergent Curriculum - An Image of the Child
Are 3 Year Olds Too Young to Vote?Understanding Emergent Curriculum Is Your Teacher a Pirate?Understanding Emergent Curriculum
The Child in the CommunityUnderstanding Emergent Curriculum Creating Learning CommunitiesUnderstanding Emergent Curriculum - Communities of learners
Parents ParticipatingUnderstanding Emergent Curriculum Following Children’s InterestsUnderstanding Emergent Curriculum
What Happens When You Follow a Child’s Interest?Understanding Emergent Curriculum How Does an Interest Differ from a Theme?Understanding Emergent Curriculum
Are We Supporting the Hundred Languages of Children?Understanding Emergent Curriculum Revisiting the Hundred Languages of ChildrenCurriculum

Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

Filed Under: Emergent Curriculum

Previous post: Understanding Emergent Curriculum: An Image of the Child
Next post: Is Your Teacher a Pirate? – Understanding Emergent Curriculum

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Gail Leopold says

    February 14, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I just discovered your blog through Facebook! I think it is great! This story reminds me of my days as a preschool teacher and how a child's imagination is contagious and can go for miles. I really miss working with little ones! (I currently work with special needs foster kids - not such a bright, sunny primary-colored world). And I totally agree with you - 3 year olds are capable of so much more than they are usually given credit for!
  2. LittlePeopleLearn says

    June 22, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Thank you for the wonderful article! I read your blog and follow you on FB. Students in my class vote as well. I teach Pre-K in an international school. This year we voted for a classroom toy (majority chose an owl), we voted for the name for our toy, we voted for centers in our play area etc. thank you!
Welcome
pinterestinstagramteachers pay teachersyoutubefacebook

Search

Tips & Resources


Latest

Best ideas for sensory play for toddlers

20 Best Ideas for Sensory Play for Toddlers

Looking for ideas for sensory play for toddlers? Today we have a super fun list … [Read More...]

Over 55 super ideas for sensory bins

55+ Super Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids

We are big fans of sensory play in our house! Since they were small, my girls … [Read More...]

65+ YA dystopian books for teens

21 Thrilling YA Dystopian Book Series for Teens

Inside: Our pick of the best YA dystopian books series for teens. If your … [Read More...]

The Book

Learning Resources


Activities by Age

Baby
Toddler
Preschool
School-age
Family

Copyright ©2022 · Childhood101 - All Rights Reserved ·

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • PRIVACY POLICY