Scenario: Making Easter Cards

[joy curtis]

It is coming up to easter time and and one of your peers has set up a card making experience for all of the children to participate in. She is marking their names off as they complete their card.The experience involves children cutting out egg shape and drawing pictures onto it. What benefits do children gain from this experience?What message do structured/closed ended experiences pass on to children? What would you do if a child came over and decided to draw and cut out a dinosaur?


My thoughts:: If children wish to participate, thats fine but we must respect their choice to sit out of experience. Benefits from this experience would be fine motor skills strengthening small hand and finger muscles, hand/eye co ordination, creativity is invited. Would be very happy if a child wanted to cut out a dinosaur

[joy curtis]

Please help, any ideas at all Lorina

[Lorina]

This is a closed ended experience because this activity has an end. The child cuts the egg shape, draws a picture and completes their card. When children are involved in close ended activities they feel a sense of pride as they successfully complete their task. When an experiences is close-ended the child can anticipate the flow. This increases compliance, attention, and even promotes relaxation.

The children should also be given a choice whether they want to create an "egg" shape card or create something of their own. We should be able to offer a variety of materials so children wishing to create their own card can do so as well...

Hope this helps,

,
Lorina

[joy curtis]

Thank you Lorina,