The Big Idea

In my many years of working with children (babysitting since I was fifteen, working as a synchronized swimming coach and camp counsellor the past eight years, and as an early childhood educator for the past two years) I have developed an idea of "what kids like" and "what they are interested in."

Image from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24624427

Only more recently has it dawned on me that children were not solely fixated on individual topics like butterflies, Transformers, flowers or babies, despite the fact that their dramatic play and art work very often reflected these themes.  Rather, the big idea behind such interests is something even bigger.  What is it within these individual topics that fascinates children?  The common BIG IDEA behind each of these focuses is the concept of transformation!

Image from http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/butterfly-exhibit-museum-44254.html

Not only is transformation a concept that is mesmerising to watch, but it is something that children experience first hand in their day-to-day lives.  As children watch their caregivers cooking them breakfast, they see their bread transform to toast.  What was once soft and light in colour quickly changed into something else crisp and dark.  Children see how their younger siblings change from babies who are dependent and small to toddlers and then preschoolers with increasing independence.  Despite the fact that young children may not see noticeable differences in their loved ones each day, they are aware that people do transform too!

As we slowly move from these harsh and cold winter months into the light and airy months of spring, children will quickly become engrossed in the transformation of the world around us as the temperatures begin to shift.  Ice and snow will transform to water.  Browned grass will replenish and become lush and green.  Bare shrubs will quickly grow leaves!  The sky is the limit on what transformations take place and what children take notice of.