Critical Thinking

At our most recent social, Tom Turkey's Diner", there were great opportunities for the tots to test their problem solving and critical thinking skills. One young man, Fella, took advantage of these opportunities in the sensory table. The table was filled with rice, measuring cups, and funnels. Fella took the funnel in one hand and began to pour rice into it with a measuring cup the way the other children at the table were doing. After he had added a large scoop the rice was no longer coming out the bottom. He tried to push on the rice from the top, when that did not work he poured it out and tried again. This time he did not pour as fast and the rice funneled threw the spout longer, but when it stopped he again seemed confused. Instead of starting over again, he held the funnel up so he could look through the hole, then he began to jiggle the funnel, as it started coming out again he laughed and was very excited. He worked on many different strategies for a long time including not pouring the rice in very fast and using a small measuring spoon instead of the larger cup. It was so exciting to get to see a young brain at work, and seeing him be diligent in his efforts.
Jamie