April 2019 Teacher: Liz

Today we got out a new set of building blocks and tools, there was huge inter-
est in them.

Lara, I noticed you as you spent a long time using the tools (screw driver &
spanner) to tighten & loosen the bolts and screws. I observed you figured out
how to hold the tools and turn them. Next you explored with tightening and
loosening the bolts, with both the spanner & screw driver. First you had to
learn how to get the tool attached to the screw or bolt and then holding it still
you had to turn it. Using tools is a tricky process! I wonder if you felt like you
needed more hands! Using the tools was definitely your interest and focus.
You seemed to know how to twist the tools to get them to move but it took a
bit of practice! Eventually you were able to both tighten & loosen the bolts.

You were focussed and your attention was sustained for a long period of time, enabling you to be able to tighten and loosen
the bolts. Lara you confidently took on a new challenge, you were
persistent, independent, focussed. What I loved the most about
observing is that you are growing your own interests and inde-
pendence. You were so keen to get hands on with a new experi-
ence, I loved how you were persistent with using the tools even
though it was a little tricky.

Key learning involved in using tools:

 Developing skills for learning new things
 Sharing your ideas/knowledge with others
 Persistence
 Using real objects and tools
 Creating working theories
 Sustained focus
 Taking an interest in learning
 Independence
 Language
 Fine motor skills, muscles
 Hand eye co-ordination
Next time we use these blocks I will peer you with a less experi-
enced child so that you can be the teacher (tua kana teina) and
share you new skills. I will also be encouraging creating and building
this will build imagination and dramatic play, while incorporating
your new skills, and using one resource for extending learning out-
comes.