tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7096897291661942250.post1954370414086913844..comments2024-03-27T10:42:06.379-05:00Comments on SAND AND WATER TABLES: Too dangerous?Tom Bedardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04427750320077815023noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7096897291661942250.post-62259204436640454872017-04-30T14:12:32.630-05:002017-04-30T14:12:32.630-05:00Thanks Holly. I actually saw you from a distance,...Thanks Holly. I actually saw you from a distance, too.<br /><br />I agree, risk is a tricky space and we all have our own tolerance to what we perceive as risky. I have a higher tolerance than most ec educators, but that still does not mean that I throw caution to the wind. In fact, I am cautious by nature and not a huge physical risk-taker myself. So for instance, with the child climbing the sensory table, I had to resist my temptation to say something like: Are you sure you want to do that? I have found by being quiet and watching the child closely, I gain a better understanding of where the child is at in terms of handling the risk. Does that make sense?<br /><br />The video is also a provocation for teachers to show what children are capable of. However, it is not meant to be a prescription for others should do. It is meant more for teachers to dig deep to understand what and why they believe what they do about risk.Tom Bedardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04427750320077815023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7096897291661942250.post-46867260725935661362017-04-30T13:37:50.855-05:002017-04-30T13:37:50.855-05:00Risk is a tricky space. Unfortunately, you have to...Risk is a tricky space. Unfortunately, you have to be comfortable enough to allow children to take risk in order to see how good they really are at assessing their own abilities. Personally, I love everything about this video and these photos. It's our job as educators to challenge and extend children - whether vertically or intellectually - it's how we build independent problem-solvers. <br /><br />Sorry I missed you at the HighScope Conference. I saw you from afar, but never had a chance to catch up in person. I hope our paths cross again someday soon. Until then, I will continue to find inspiration in your blogs! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12643629392596111030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7096897291661942250.post-49501410517639247742017-04-29T18:37:23.153-05:002017-04-29T18:37:23.153-05:00Thanks Michelle. The group of educators in Guelph...Thanks Michelle. The group of educators in Guelph was extremely affirming and got me thinking that I should start building again even though I no longer have a classroom. There were several ideas I never realized when I was working in the classroom and a new water one just popped into my head two days ago when I saw a picture of a 55-gallon plastic barrel.<br /><br />I will let you in on a little secret. Even though I said I was comfortable with the children going so vertical, I was never able to completely relax and was never too far away from the table when the children were climbing on it. I was willing to live with uncertainty so the children could test their potential.<br /><br />If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Tom Bedardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04427750320077815023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7096897291661942250.post-85167136210183641432017-04-29T15:32:15.395-05:002017-04-29T15:32:15.395-05:00I was at your workshop in Guelph, Ontario last wee...I was at your workshop in Guelph, Ontario last weekend. When seeing this video of the girl climbing on the edge of the sensory bin I, admittedly, was uneasy.<br /><br />The idea of risky play is being challenged in every aspect of child care these days and I am a supporter of children taking risks. This was beyond my personal limit; until I returned home and was reflecting on the video and what you said and what I'd learned during my building.<br /><br />These apparatus are not built willy-nilly and the physical capabilities of the children are considered and honored for each build. The height of this particular apparatus was part of the design. I admire the sturdiness of each of your apparatus' and learned it's not as easy as taping some boxes together.<br /><br />I spent the entire week thinking about a water apparatus for my classroom and brainstorming with my co-Educator on what we can use from the materials already hiding in the storage room. <br /><br />I also love your shelf of Hodgepodge and Doohickies. Brilliant.<br /><br />One day I will make a pot of tea and binge read all of these blog entries. In the meantime, I'll draw inspiration from these posts and wish you were my dad so I could call you up to help me troubleshoot!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01460598954730764486noreply@blogger.com