We do a lot of the messy play outside on the veranda and just in front of the learning community. The children are free to move inside and out. So there is paint that gets splattered on the outside of the building and the veranda has a variety of things left spread on it. And bits and pieces seem attracted like magnets around the space. It is a challenge for other people. It is a bit of a shock to begin with. For the untrained it looks like chaos.
However, I think we have become messer over the year, but better at getting the space tidy again.
We believe that the learning space belongs to the children and they are free to use it and the equipment without having to ask within that space. We are fortunate to have an office with shelves on it and another space where we can store our messy play resources. If some resources are not put out for the day the students can always ask for them.
How did we do it?
1. Remember it is a journey. Five year olds don't always want to tidy, so it becomes the slow and constant message at the end of the day that this is what we do. Encourage, model etc. but realise it takes time to learn this skill. We also value this time as a learning community. Learning to sort objects into like attributes is a fundamental math concept. Similar and different are useful words. The consequence of tipping all the lego out is it takes time to put it all away again. Learning to do things together is a wonderful way to build community. Manaakitanga is shown through everyone supporting each other.
2. Less is more. To begin with we put all the equipment out for the students to access. Now, we have the basics out but have things available if the students play leads that way. I always think, do I have the energy to deal with this today? If the clay comes out then then I know I will need a little water for damping the clay and a bucket for washing hands etc.
3. We choose resources which suit our environment. For example, we found play dough stuck to our carpet really badly. Clay did not. When it dries, it becomes good old dirt. We usually have clay as an outside activity but on rainy days, sometimes bring it inside. I love play dough but just gave it away and embraced clay. Natural and reusable. I prefer water paints to the acrylic because they are easier to manage, washing up better. Saying that, acrylic paints are much loved.
4. Storage becomes vital. Finding the right containers is essential. I have just found an old teaching station to use for painting. I brought an old sink from home for water play that goes in the garden outside. We re-purpose a lot. Inside, the lego, blocks etc are in containers which are easy to pack up. The lego goes on a sheet which helps with the pack up.
6. Labels help. One holidays last year Carlyn, one of the other teachers, spent a couple of hours a day, sorting and cleaning the mess. We took time to put labels (photos) on the containers. I think this helped the children remember where particular things went and gave them a visual reminder. Amazingly, most things have remained in place since that time.
7. Don't fight it. If the children are tired we just do as much as we can together. If there is mess left at the end of the day as a teacher, I'll spend 10 minutes finishing off before I get into my planning etc.
That is just part of the work for a play based classroom. I think to myself, I value the children playing so I value supporting them by packing it away so it is ready for a new day. It is so worth it.
8. Pack up once a day. Last year, we did a pack up every period of which we have three during the day. This year, we pack up once a day. The children used to put away what they wanted to keep in our office. In the research project by Keryn Davis http://blog.core-ed.org/blog/2014/04/powerful-play-continuity-and-inquiry-for-children-starting-school.html the children use post it notes to write their name on and place beside anything they want to keep for another day. Cleaners are asked to vacuum around these models. We often put lego up high, and on occasion, keep block cities until another day, but most times, things are just process play so get packed up. Using the app seesaw http://web.seesaw.me an online portfolio has meant so far this year we are able to take photos to keep many memories.
And so far this year, because we have similar students from last year, many children have returned with the skills learnt previously and have embraced the clean up. Some just sit and watch or go to the toilet or try and run away and hide, but we just try and focus on the ones doing the right thing and remember, these ones will learn one day to help out. Be patient. I find for some of our diverse learners pack up time, a time of transition, is difficult and can make them feel uncomfortable. It is not because they are being naughty or trying to annoy us.
I am sure this is an area I will continue to grow in. I would love some input from Early Childhood Teachers who I am sure have amazing systems for packing up. What are your top tips for tiding up?
Embrace the Mess….
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