There are so many engaging ways to explore making, building, and creating. The options are endless. But the option to do that is very important for learning critical thinking skills.
One over-simplified criticism of tech-based tools like embark12 is that it is somehow one dimensional for the learner. Old tech tools from the past were indeed often set-up this way. They were formulaic and had predetermined outcomes. Even if there seemed to be choices, you couldn’t really “make” anything. You knew pretty soon that your true creativity was limited by the tool.
Which is not the case in nature. Outside of the tech world, with our hands, we can build a lot of things with no limit to our creativity (especially if you go wabi sabi!). So I have been particularly excited about the embark features which allow the kids to build things of their own and are truly open ended. Inside the “Tools” tab there is a feature called “Builder”. Inside that, kids can choose to create their own little worlds.
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The 4yr old loves this! She’s been obsessed with this feature for about the last 3 days!
This screen shot is of the farm she can build. Her on-site pre-school is a “farm” so she relates to this. But as I’ve mentioned before, 3D tools and other people teaching my kids are one thing, but what am I doing to foster building, making, and creating? For me, proper pre-school is neither “on the computer” nor “somewhere else” that I send my kids each day. Pre-school is the time of life when parents get to have the incredible joy of cementing all the fundamental learning blocks they feel are important for life-long success. I wouldn’t send my kids to Schibel Teaching Farm 2 days a week if I didn’t think it was one of the most amazing places on earth. I wouldn’t use embark unless I thought it was worth the screen time it creates. Screen time is not my thing. I’m not against it, but I’m not for it. I choose everything carefully and in addition to that, I know I have to create the larger context for my kids myself.
One of things that is easy and fun to do to show cycles, patterns, and creating, is a raised-bed backyard garden with a few simple veggies and flowers. When the kids aren’t building inside with embark materials, get them building outside with their hands!
One of our local ag supply stores, formerly Round Butte Seed and now Wilco, has a whole section of seeds designed for our short, cold growing season in the high desert.
This spring, the husband and the 4yr old picked out a few choices and made a fun afternoon of planting the rows while the tiny ones napped.
We were delighted, of course, when the first brilliant green lettuce leaves began to poke through and eventually unfurl. Dinner salad from the garden picked by tiny hands is an unparalleled treat. But, we were more than a little skeptical about the other items when, in August, the green beans, beets, and carrots were still holding talks underground and not showing us anything up here!
We sort-of gave up. And, we went away for a week. The super hot week! When we came home, after 7 days of 90 degree weather and no watering, the garden had exploded! We had 5″ long green beans- just like at the store!- and perfect garnet red baby beets- just like at the fancy store!- and darling baby carrots from the laughably and adorably 1/2″ size all the way up to like “real” carrot size!
Now, don’t be confused. My kids do NOT eat beets! Or lettuce! But, they do love green beans and carrots. And the thrill for them of watching them grow and then being able to offer one to Nana or Noni-straight from the patch!- was downright heartwarming for me. and the husband.
Stewardship, building, and creating are key qualities in critical thinkers. There are many, many ways to get there. But in central Oregon, backyard gardens are a great one. If I lived in NYC, I’d have different tips. But I don’t, I live here. And I love it here.
In closing, let me add that witnessing cycles- all the way to their natural end- is another important piece for developing holistic thinkers. See below! The beet greens meet their maker and contribute to the rich soil for next year’s crop. And by crop, I mean 4’x6′ yard box 🙂
Happy Learning!
Our Pre-K Journey 