Scaffolding on the Beach

Scaffolding is something we often engage in during an Our Time class. The children are encouraged to explore an object or an instrument in their own way in what ever way they feel best. The parent or carer watches the child and for the most part imitates the child.

Entering the world of a child in this way can become totally absorbing and strangely relaxing. As we engage in this play with our children we too begin to play and explore alongside our child perhaps suggesting new ways to play in partnership with them, but never dictating that there is a right or wrong way to do something.

During our recent family holiday to Devon, Isaac and I were on the beach playing on the body board in the waves. After a few tumbles head first into very salty water, Isaac headed off to play in the wet sand. He engrossed himself in construction work building up mounds of sand and rock into structures to see if they could withstand the quickly approaching sea making its way up the beach. At first I was frustrated, we had come to play in the waves and I wanted him to come and join me.

In that moment I thought about the way we encourage play in class and I went over and started to build alongside Isaac. Within moments I had become absorbed into his world. Focusing on a single simple activity with no agenda is so relaxing. Together we built bigger and better structures, running up and down the beach to collect rocks. We laughed heartily when the waves smashed into them and sent them flying and we had the most amazing fun.

I learnt how important it is for our children's self esteem to be enthusiastically involved with their little projects however small, and for us to find again our lust for the simple things in life that we wondered at as children.