Just add tape
When we do our jobs right, children are able to feel that they live alone on their very own planet. We are just there to buy groceries. When he asked me for tape to lock everything up, I just gave him tape, but because I know a bit about play, I gave him plastic tape instead of masking tape.
The Role of Destruction in Play
Adults are not usually keen on the destruction aspect of play and I don't think it is just about the preciousness of materials. It is about the conflict that arises when I wreck something of yours or you wreck something of mine.
What We Hope Children Will Learn
"I hate my backpack. I hate it. I just hate it." This was punctuated with a kicking along of said backpack as he walked around the corner. He wasn't talking to anyone, but people were listening. One of the other children said, "You are throwing that word around like it doesn't mean anything."