In one of our lengthy afternoon discussions in Studio Blue, we noticed that the baby doll play that was happening in the beginning of the year had fizzled out in recent weeks. We wondered why...
Perhaps the presence of an adult in the area would attract the children back to this play?
The next morning, Diane sat in the baby area and invited Livia and Elliot over to engage in play with the baby dolls.
What do you think we need to do to take care of these babies?
Livia: Water. They need some water.
You think they need some water?
Elliot: Yea, water. Drink.
Looking around, we realized that there are not many things available for the children to use to offer water to the babies. We decide to introduce the wooden figures to use as bottles the next day in Studio Blue.
We also spend some time fixing up this area, dressing the baby dolls again and creating a more inviting area to play.
On our next school day, Lila and Stella are immediately attracted to the baby dolls. They set up the space together and place a bottle in front of each baby that is sitting at the table. Lila finds one particular baby doll that she is especially fond of and she carries this baby around with her most of the day.
Lila, her baby doll, and Stella stay together for most of the morning.
Later, Stella uses some felt squares to set up a hopscotch game. When Chris is looking for a place to change his baby, who has a messy diaper, he finds that Stella’s felt creation would be a great place to lay his baby down.
When she explains to Chris that it is for hopscotch, he brings his baby over to another surface to change its diaper.
Chris needs a clean diaper and new clothes for his baby. We help Chris think of ways we could get some diapers.
Johann suggests that we sew some diapers for the babies. Johann tells us what we need.
Needles. And a sewer and then you sew. Several minutes later, Johann adds,
This is the first thing you need (as he holds up a piece of fabric.)
The next day, we introduce some small glasses for the "older" baby dolls to drink from. As they are real glass, we show the children how to place them back on the table when they are finished giving drinks to the babies.
I’m drawing a baby.
Henry
