This Is How We Go To Work!

All it took was one antiquated piece of office equipment to rustle up a whole unit on "How We Work!"  I was hopeful as I wiped and wisked the dust from this old pal that it would offer us many opportunities for conversations, imaginations, and some well planned play.  It certainly did NOT disappoint! 

The anticipation was palpable as each child spotted the new addition to our play space and immediately rushed over to push the buttons, explore the handset, turn it upside-down and backwards, and inspect every square inch.

Thankfully, with each push of the number it had not lost it's ability to beep appropriately.  The beeping, of course, was like a reward all it's own.  The children could not wait to have another, and another, and another turn.  This prompted LOTS of singing of our favorite turn-taking song from Daniel Tiger, You Can Take A Turn And Then I'll Get It Back!  (click on the title and it will take you to the song :))

On a side note:  Moms and Dads, Daniel Tiger is a spin-off of Mr. Rogers and is a PRECIOUS animated show that deals with age appropriate social/emotional issues for preschool children (and the songs are GREAT!)

We introduced lots of vocabulary words such as office chair, desk, taking notes, secretary, answering calls, please hold, boss, employee, team, meetings, and so much more.  It also gave us a great opportunity to explore the roles of, and take turns understanding what those words meant to the children.

From this we also began discussing money.  On their own, they began mimicking conversations about stopping at the store, going shopping, earning money, "not having enough money," and "be quiet! I'm on the phone!"  The chatter was continuous and the topics discussed were so grown-up I just had to giggle. 

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Trash To Treasure...Exploring The Old Fax Machine...

We even "brought out kids to work!"

We broke out the old cell phones too so everyone could take calls while "at work."

I love the effort and concentration of her "work." She was very proud of her "meeting!"

"I've been working like a dog!" Look at those precious puppy dog eyes!!

We practiced taking calls and taking notes...

Our "work" took a turn into money and we then spent a couple of days taking about, making, and "spending" our money that we earned "working!" This was perfect for discussing numbers 1-20, and skip counting 5's. We also made our own money so the supply was limitless (hey...isn't that what the government does?? JK!! ((don't hate me :)))

This sweet 'thang was getting the kitchen center ready and open for business! She wouldn't let anyone else play with the food unless they "bought" it from her!

Think Tank...

After making an "office" (tent) for a "private place to work" (they notified me that this as MUST!), they sat down outside of the "office" and you could have heard a pin drop.  The concentration and imagination going into each line written was amazing.  They certainly worked those little fine motor skills happily all while fully engaged in play.  After several minutes I asked them to tell me about their "work." They had a variety of stories, shopping lists, plans for the day, pictures, and things they were going to spend their money on. Certainly a very worth while unit study...all thanks to a little creative venture into "adulthood..."

I wish you well and I hope you get to play today.

-L