‘For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.’
Discovery is everything. To be the one who discovers Newton’s third law in the sandpit at Freerangers and then share that discovery with others is the key to enhanced learning. Kinaesthetic learning (learning by doing) is the most preferred mode of learning. When it is combined with other modes the learning process is enhanced.
Seeing, doing and discussing.
Our children were drawn to the creation of the helter-skelter (‘Close Encounters’ style!) piling sand high to create a mound. An adult guided the children demonstrating how to make channels in the mound, a spiral from the top to the bottom. The children were invited to place a ball at the top, they watched awestruck as the ball rolled around and down… their action producing a reaction! Others watched ‘seeing’ what was happening, what others were ‘doing’, coming over and ‘doing’ it for themselves. ‘Discussing’ the best way, what works and what doesn’t, and trying out the complete process independently.
Finally comes the art of destruction, Cornelia Parker style, as our children delight in jumping, digging in their heels and generally smashing the sand into a thousand pieces… or should that be 700 trillion!
Go on… give it a go, on the beach, in the mud (Glastonbury style) or using duvets and cushions. The possibilities are endless.
Tam