What a mess!

Does this bother you?

What about this?

Do you consider this a disaster?

As children learn by playing, one will see a mess. Cleaning up is something, as adults, we tend to over-emphasize to children. We expect young children to clean up something when they are finished playing with it.

Why? What if they are not done? What if they are going to find something to add to their play? What if they needed to have a snack quick? What if they are not finished?

If we tell children when it is time to be 'done' or when to pick up, how are children allowed to test theories or to lead their own play?

Each day we remind ourselves to encourage children to move freely and to test out theories during their play. Trusting the process! Allowing them to wander, put things together, take things apart, play without distractions, and to lead their play will, in turn, provide children the highest potential for development and growth.

So, let go! Let the mess go. Breathe and worry less about what it looks like. Focus on the learning! Focus on the development of children.

If you visit Westside, you will most likely be presented with what looks like a mess. Teachers design environments appropriate for the age and the developmental stages of children. The children develop the rules of their play, organize their play, and learn as they create a childhood of messes.