These last few weeks seem to have flashed by in a whirl of busyness (hence the delayed post).  Playgroup has continued on and the children have been busy as ever themselves.  Here is just a glimpse of some of their endeavours...

washing...

drawing (of course)...

 

dressing up...

crafting...

puzzling...

working fine motor skills...

"cooking"...

building...

exploring books...

and just chillaxing...

  

So many things to do, so much learning and fun to be had!  The thing that engaged everyone the most though, was a lovely little thing called "salt dough".  Yes, when there is no mud kitchen to be had, and no sand play in sight (there definitely WILL be once the kindergarten opens! J) the next best thing is playing with dough- especially the kind that does not have to be packed away to be reused another day, but that can stay in it's gloriously molded form and taken home to be proudly shown to Mum and Dad!

There were snakes, of various lengths and sizes (which led to conversations about long and short and medium length, and Mum snakes and Dad snakes and whether or not snakes have eyes...)



faces...

lovely things...

interesting things...

learning new skills...



And of course lots of cakes and ice creams too!

 

The beauty of it all is that I provided the materials, and the time and space- and the rest was the children!  They spent almost 3 hours at the table, chatting, sharing ideas, singing, asking questions, thinking out loud, trying new things, discovering capabilities, encouraging each other's efforts, learning with engagement- and loving every moment of it!  This is what I long to leave with Mongolian teachers- that if you give children the opportunity, they will thrive in their play and learning and will be developing their bodies and minds in an engaging way as they have freedom to choose and explore. It is marvelous!  They were learning a multitude of things that I as their teacher could not have planned for.  And as a teacher, that is actually what I like to see...