Activity 4-1:
All It Takes
Is a BoxPurpose: In this activity, participants will set goals; provide materials; and implement, evaluate, and follow up on an activity for young children that encourages development and use of skills across the four domains.
Outcome:
Participants plan activities that reflect children's different backgrounds, needs, interests, skills, and abilities.Materials:
Cardboard boxes (12 x 22 x 18 inches)
Tape for sealing boxes, scissors, glue, markers
Variety of recycled materials
Handout 15: Planning an Appropriate Activity
Handout 16: Evaluation and Follow-Up
Child development charts in Appendix E1. Explain to participants that this activity will focus on planning and carrying out activities for young children. Remind participants that young children learn by manipulating real things rather than by considering abstract ideas.
2. Ask participants to divide into small groups. Give each group the following:
· Tape for sealing boxes
· Scissors
· Glue
· Markers
· A cardboard box approximately 12 x 22 x 18 inches. Boxes can be cartons recycled from a grocery store or new ones purchased for the workshop.Also, provide a variety of recycled materials that the groups share, such as:
Cotton balls
Egg cartons
Empty thread spools
Fabric of different sizes
and textures (burlap, felt,
terry cloth, oilcloth, fake
fur, lace)Large beads
Small boxes and containers
Sponges
String
Styrofoam trays
Wooden dowels
Yarn
3. Ask participants to plan a developmentally appropriate activity for children of a specific age group (their choice), including a child with a disability. Distribute Handout 15: Planning an Appropriate Activity and explain that participants can use it to record their plans. Distribute the child development charts from Appendix E so participants can review the characteristics of children at different ages and stages.4. Have each group introduce and implement its planned activity with volunteers from another group who will role-play as children of the age for which the activity is designed.
5. Distribute Handout 16: Evaluation and Follow-Up. Ask the groups to use the questions on the handout to discuss the effectiveness of their planned activity and to plan follow-up strategies.
6. Ask groups to share their evaluations and follow-up strategies. Lead a discussion on the characteristics of appropriate activities. Ask participants to share something that they learned during the workshop that they can use to plan activities. Suggest that participants share their activity plans with colleagues and parents and implement them, if appropriate, for the children with whom they work.