Thinking outside of the mat--walking the line

After Delores' "nap" yesterday I went in to find her walking the line on some of her books.* She told me she had made a sidewalk and was walking on her sidewalk.

Children will find or create ways to walk the line without an ellipse painted or taped out on the floor for them. Of course this is how the brilliant Maria Montessori came up with this idea of creating a permanent line in a classroom setting in the first place. I am reminded, yet again, that we can learn so much from just observing the child absorb their world around them.

Having an ellipse or other shape painted or taped (fyi chalk does not work!) to the floor gives the child much more opportunity to use their desire to walk the line and refine their balance and grace. Also, having a line indoors also leads to countless extensions from carrying a glass of water to a game of catch. But really you can't beat just watching a child imagine and create and enjoy an activity all on her own even if it is outside the painted line.

* I do not encourage the misuse of books and after she had left this activity we discussed the importance if taking care of all books.

** Delores is wearing something to covering her bottom, you just can't see it from the angle of the shot.