Un día en Mi Casita

Today’s provocation: A measuring cup filled with flour bottle of water, a precise amount of salt, and a large mixing bowl. As an adult you are aware that amigues are being prompted to make their own dough.

A Reggio-inspired teacher observes: How does each child engage with the materials? Do they explore each texture? Do they mix with their hands? Do they seek tools? Do they know these ingredients have the potential to make dough? Do the kids explore together? Do they invite a grownup? Do they ignore the prompt and prefer a less messy endeavor? As with any set-up, there are hundreds of potential outcomes. Our maestres tend to stand back at first, observing with curiosity and respect how each child engages differently with the same materials, the space, and with each other.

During guided exploration: Teachers ask questions, highlighting the different outcomes they observed during open exploration. Together the group might try experimenting how to make dough. While still inviting exploration, the teacher provides more perimeters and prompts. Once dough is made, teachers again observe: while some kids might choose to keep the dough in the sensory table, others may see what happens when they color it with markers, still others may take it to the dramatic play area and put the dough in a pan and cut straws to use as candles for a birthday party. Every option is a window into that child’s world.

Mi Casita’s pedagogy is unique and is heavily influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach, principles of Quaker Education, and anti-oppressive pedagogy and practice. For more on these topics, explore the links at the bottom of this page.