Resources on Early Learning
Illinois Early Learning Standards
Video & Background
Children in this video clip attended a mixed-age early childhood education program at a rural Illinois community college. The children involved were Sara (5 years, 8 months), Paige (3 years, 8 months), and Nic (4 years, 6 months). The children in the program had a variety of attendance patterns.
Automobile parts were placed in the sensory table as part of the children’s ongoing study of cars. Observation of the children as they work intently at dismantling the auto parts reveals the way this open-ended activity allowed each child to practice fine motor skills at his or her individual level. It also reveals the children’s awareness of the importance of safety practices; availability of several pairs of gloves in the sensory table led the children to put them on without prompting. The children talked very little as they engaged in this activity, probably because they were so focused on using their motor skills. As Sara uses a tape measure to measure an automobile part, Paige works to put on her work gloves.
Transcript
Nic: (Picking up a car part and attaching it to another.) This goes over here (experiments with spinning the piece clockwise and counterclockwise).
Sara: (Finishing screwing a screw into an auto part.) It’s gotta go this way.
Paige: (Holding a screwdriver.) I got one.
Sara: (Passes Paige an auto part that has the levers that control the windows, outside mirrors, and car locks.)
Paige: (Intently manipulates the levers.)
Nic: (Examining auto parts.) There’s too much screws in that one. Want to know which one the special one is? This is the specialest one here (carries two screwdrivers around the sensory table and stands alongside Sara).
Sara: You only need one, Nic.
Nic: (Holding a screw.) Lookit. I got one out, Sara.
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Benchmark Description | How Benchmark Was Met |
|---|---|---|
Physical Development and Health |
Engage in active play using fine motor skills. |
All three children were actively involved in assembling, manipulating, and reassembling automobile parts with varying levels of skill. |
Physical Development and Health |
Follow simple safety rules while participating in activities. |
Paige put time and effort into getting both of her gloves on before she worked with the automobile parts and tools. Sara and Nic also wore gloves. All three children put on gloves without direct instruction or reminder. |
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