“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” ― Don HeroldDon Herold

This project was done with 3 children between the ages of months. The project took place in a multi age, full-day setting, over six weeks.

You don’t have to be crazy to work here but it helps!

As a multi age center with very young infants the toddlers and preschoolers are exposed to infants on a daily basis Also, one of the children is soon to be a big sister! This was the focusing event of the project

 The environment was set up to resemble a home to encourage dramatic play with babies and observe the children's interests

 We used observations to gauge the children's current knowledge.  The project was very much child initiated.

The children asked for diapers for their babies and to feed them. Then they said they needed to be changed or go potty. The teachers provided the necessary materials for them. Soon the children began referring to themselves as teachers. “What about some salad for my baby?”

 Teacher Questions -Do I really think these children are capable competent learners? -Is this safe and am I providing enough supervision? -What do I hope the children will learn? And how is this experience beneficial? - Do the children feel safe and secure enough to freely explore?  Children’s questions? - What do babies need? - What do teachers do? - What do mamas do? - Am I safe? - What will happen if……………………….? - Can I………………..? *many of the questions came in the form of statements and teachers used open ended questioning to see what the children were trying to figure out and how to support that.

That we could take a topic like babies (the never ending toddler play topic) and find ways to scaffold learning and keep it fresh, fun and educational for the children.

*How do we make baby food? *What do babies eat? *Do babies get cold? *How do you push a stroller? *What does the doctor do? *What do babies need? *What happens at the store?

The children went from basic baby care play to pretend play as teachers, mothers, grandmothers, doctors, and workers selling baby supplies.

The children imitated what they see us as teachers do every day. This picture depicts one of the toddlers feeding an infant. They also helped with real baby care at nap time and were excited to get diapers and put bottles in the fridge. They learn though imitation.

The children quickly transitioned from being teachers to being the mothers or grandmothers of the dolls. The children dressed up as mothers and cared for their babies.

 The children decided their babies were sick and became their doctors.

Soon the children decided they would have to go to the store to purchase some supplies for their babies.

o Parents were invited to share in our explorations! o Daily conversations with staff and parents were used to gather information about their child's interests/and sensitivities around the senses and to share information about new experiences.

They represented their learning through their changing and evolving play and questions. Staff were sure to use photographs for further documentation.

o Although not officially a project anymore the children continue to show interest in all things baby related.

Displays of the children's work were placed through out the center as well as in the school.

Our hope is that the children learned more about how babies eat and sleep and grow. We intentionally incorporated science, math, art, sensory, fine and gross motor and language activities into their play.

 Projects flow very easily if you just step back and listen and watch for where the children want to take things next.

The only real surprise was the “shop worker” portion of the project. The only real surprise was the “shop worker” portion of the project.

We think so. The topic provided for endless learning opportunities. Any topic that isn't forced and flows as easily as this one is a good topic.

o Seeing ourselves depicted through the children's play as “teachers”.

That would be totally dependent on the group of children and where they want to take things.