Creativity blossoms in the soil of stories

Many people know that picture books have a positive impact on the growth and development of young children. At Huili Nursery, the story in the picture book does not end after reading it. Teachers and children extend their learning and exploration from the story and add new vitality to the story with their own creativity.

Mr. Octopus has a magical "Octopus Little Shop" where animals can buy what they want. It's raining today, and Mr. Octopus is selling umbrellas. The elephant, lion, peacock, and chicken each bought a grey, orange, blue, and yellow umbrella.

Picture books could serve as the inspirational resource that extends children’s learning opportunities. Recently, after exploring the picture book "Mr. Octopus Sells Umbrellas", the teachers used the story as a lead-in to the end to plant the idea that umbrellas are in short supply, inspiring the children to help Mr. Octopus find the materials to make an umbrella.

Children first explored an actual umbrella and shared their observations.

• Iris and Anna Z: The umbrella fabric is composed of individual threads that cross each other. There are no gaps.

• Anna C: It feels smooth, like there is sand between the fabrics.

• Milo: It's smooth. It doesn't smell.

After observing the structure of the umbrella, the children began to choose materials for making their own umbrellas. They explored four materials: leather, cotton cloth, terry cloth, and TPU film, and ranked their waterproof properties.

The children made their guesses on what would be the most waterproof before the experiment: 

• Milo said, "TPU film can't be torn, just like an umbrella, umbrellas can't be torn!"

• Anna C said, "Leather feels smooth, just like an umbrella, so it might be waterproof." 

• Jennie said, "Leather has two sides, one side is fluffy." 

• Iris said, "Cotton cloth is not waterproof. I tried it on my cargo ship before!" 

Before the experiment, we briefly discussed the "quantitative" fairness principle. Each material needed to undergo a heavy rain for 20 times. After the experiment, the children selected different open materials based on their own experimental results and tried to make umbrellas based on their own understanding.

Observing the children's creative process, we realised that some children were unclear about the umbrella structure. Although the children understood what an umbrella was made of, they did not know what an umbrella bone was or how to build one. So, in the name of testing, we carried out a reflective activity. We tried to guide the children to observe the structure of umbrella bones and discover their functions through a "rain test".

During the rain test, the children observed that the rain had deformed some umbrellas. Therefore, we began to observe the structural characteristics of the umbrellas that passed the test, such as how many bones there were, how they were arranged, and how they were related to the umbrella surface.

This led to a discussion among the children:

Milo: Is it because our umbrella surface is not thick enough that the rain washed it away?

Iris: But the surface of my umbrella is also thin! Mine didn't get washed away!

Anna C: Is it because my umbrella bones are too soft? I shouldn't have used a straw!

Anna Z: But my straws didn't collapse!

The children observed the umbrellas that passed the test and compared them with their own umbrellas, trying to find the problem!  

Rachel: I know! Our umbrella bones didn't support the umbrella surface; if they were spread evenly, they wouldn't be washed away by the rain!

The spark of the discussion gave the children a breakthrough idea! They made a second modification to their work. We are thrilled that all the new umbrellas passed the test, and Mr. Octopus is ready to come and collect the goods!

At Huili Nursery, the story in the picture book itself is far from enough to satisfy children's desire for exploration. Under the guidance of teachers, they transfer the experience gained from the story to life and learning to test and diverge. Diverse opportunities created from the story extension helps children exercise their listening, observation, oral expression, artistic expression, and creativity. It activates their understanding and mastery of knowledge, promotes deep learning and comprehensive development.

If you are interested in learning more about how deep level learning takes place in the Early Years, and supports lifelong success, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions Team. Our Co-Heads of Lower School would be delighted to welcome your family to the Nursery for a Day Pass experience so your child can participate in our wonderful learning opportunities with current Nursery students.