An Introduction from Hugo's mum:
One of the magical things about the Reggio approach that I have observed as a parent is that there are so many opportunities to witness a child’s strengths.
Some kids see the world a little differently than others, and the educators’ willingness to share in how these children perceive the world instead of shaping what they “should” see is really amazing.
It was beautiful to see my child through Shahla’s eyes, and through his relationship with the clay on this day.
Today was the first day of Hugo's arrival at Kids World. We had large quantities of clay on the floor.
I was busy with two of the kids with clay when he joined us with many shells in his hands. He said, “I want to decorate the clay with these shells.”
Shahla: Do you want to decorate the whole clay?
Hugo: “I actually want to make a big Fossil Rock. These shells are like fossils.”
S: “Fossil? Do you know what fossils are?”
H: “Yes. I went to a beach and saw fossils. I want to make them myself now. The creatures have their home and I want to make one for shells with this clay.”
S:” It's so cool that you have a plan to make your memory of seeing the fossils with Clay.”
H: Yes. Because I can press the shells on the clay.
S: Do you think you can press the shell into the rock?
H: No. The rock is so hard, but the clay is soft and I can comfortably press them on the clay.
He pressed a few shells on the clay and looked at the clay and said: “I want to make it nicer and prettier.”
S: How do you want to make it nicer and prettier?
H: With different shapes and sizes of shells. Different colours.
S: You say prettier and nicer. Does it mean it is nice but you want to make it nicer?
H: Yes. Very beautiful when we see fossils. If they are more and different colours and different sizes it will be nicer. He patiently selected them and pressed them into the clay.
When he finished, he said, "Look at a big rock with lots of fossils. Look it is beautiful!"
S: Yes. it is so beautiful! Hugo, you know what? For me, there is another thing that makes this fossil rock more beautiful.
H : What?
That you have recreated the beautiful memory of your fossil and made us your beautiful partner. thank you very much.
I've noticed many times that clay can invite newcomer kids to get to know it. They want to discover it, recount their memories and past experiences; To know what is different from what they have experienced before, to tell us their special stories…!
In this particular observation, it appears that its overall shape, which, incidentally, resembled a rock, encouraged Hugo to recreate his memory and have a beautiful image. But how he quickly found the shells from another part of the room and inside a shelf shows his curiosity, precision and desire to do what he had in his mind.
As an educator, I have to admit that without clay on the first day, I couldn't get to know Hugo that much. I couldn't know what a beautiful mind he has and when he was trying to build what he had in his mind, he could be so persistent and beautifully explain his work.
Clay has repeatedly shown us its power to harness the talent of children. But every time in a different language and with a different face. Overall, it can surprise us that children are able to show themselves and their talents live, dynamically and actively. And all of these achievements are always accompanied by feelings and body language.
Thank you very much clay for today and for the future.
