This year at the NAEYC Annual Conference I had the delight of meeting Sandra Duncan. It was exciting because I love her book Inspiring Spaces for Young Children.
Sandra is such an inspiration! She shared an amazing perspective shift in her session. Here's a sneak preview!
Ready?! You may think we use containers in our classrooms to hold things, to tote things . . . you know. . . contain all of those loose parts.
But Sandra challenges that notion. She asserts that is not the true purpose of containers.
Hum. So what is the purpose of classroom containers?
Sandra asserts the purpose of a container is to attract children to its contents!
Do you hear what I hear? I am so hearing “the third teacher” being put to work.
Think about it.
What if you looked at each container in your classroom and asked yourself:
“Is this container an invitation to explore? create? construct?”
“What does this container invite?”
This is not only a practical application of the third teacher – it is transformational!
Take this action step! Survey your classroom containers. Which ones invite? Which ones are just holders and totes?
I love Sandra Duncan’s approaches to the environment and learning. Sandra’s perspectives on the environment as an invitation for children are totally age and developmentally appropriate. She brings an energy to thinking about how we as early educators should view the environment as the third teacher. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Sandra over the last couple of years and collaborated with her while she conducted research for an article she wrote.
So well put! She does bring a special energy to thinking about our environments. What joy it must have been to have collaborated with her! She was instantly warm and welcoming when I approached her about the conference. I was beyond impressed!
This is wonderful! You might also like this post by Sandra with even more ideas: http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2016/containers.
Have fun and keep learning!
Love it! Thank you so much for sharing!!
I love the scissor holders! Where did they come from?
It is just a simple brick with scissors sitting in the holes.
I have gathered some new container ideas over the last year–how about a child’s rain or puddle boot to hold small loose parts in the block corner? Or, how about an old-fashion suitcase (You know, the ones without wheels) to hold dress up clothes?
Best, Sandra
Those are great ideas! Both charming and useful. You always have such wonderful container ideas.