It’s exciting to be a six-year-old. This is a time of
tremendous growth, and children this age possess copious amounts of energy and
enthusiasm.
Recently I was reviewing a book I’d read several years
ago, and a saw this quote:
“The eagerness, curiosity, imagination, drive, and
enthusiasm of the six-year-old are perhaps never again matched in quantity or intensity
during the life span.” Yardsticks:
Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14. Chip Wood. 2007. Northeast Foundation
for Children, Inc.
That’s an apt description of the six-year-olds in the
classroom. Six-year-olds are becoming more independent. They are capable of dressing
themselves and of learning to tie their shoes. Six-year-olds are curious about
the world, and they love to create.
This week the students had lots of questions as we
explored the topic of “Space” in our science lessons. They were eager to make
craters by dropping balls of varying sizes and mass into the dust (actually hot
cocoa mix).
In science lab the students learned about
constellations and created their own constellations with star stickers.
Then at centers time the students used toothpicks and
marshmallows to create more constellations ---as well as other 2D and 3D
shapes.
I’m encouraging students to become more independent in
their work and to become responsible for following directions, taking care of
classroom materials, and complete assignments. The students are learning to
work together in groups. “Stations Time” provides opportunities to practice
independence, cooperation, and responsibility.
The
early years are critical in brain development.
I read another interesting quote in an article by
Rishi Sriram entitled: “Why
Ages 2-7 Matter So Much in Brain Development”
” Train up a child in the way he should go;
even
when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs
22:6
