The Best Laid Plans

Thursday was a typical day at the center.  The children arrived at their usual times, everyone ate breakfast, there was a period of free play, and the teachers began their lesson plans for the day.  Just then, with a whoosh and a bang, the Blue Angels flew overhead.  They were in town for the air show this weekend and were spending a few hours practicing over the city.  Rather than doing the planned activities, the children and staff spent hours sitting under a tree and watching while the planes dove, swooped, and spiraled overhead. 

None of the carefully planned activities that were developmentallhy appropriate and designed to help the children grow and learn took place that day.  Did the children miss educational opportunities?  No.  While the planes were flying the staff talked to them about what they saw and heard.  They talked about noise, shapes, the sound barrier, going fast, the words on the bottom of the wings, and the shapes of the smoke trails that they left in the sky.  Did the teachers mind?  No.  They had a unique educational opportunity that does not happen every day.  Did the administration mind?  No.  We understand how children learn.  They will remember and understand the concepts of speed, loud, wings, and even sound barrier when they have had such a vivid demonstration.  We also did not mind because our desks were empty and our work was undone.  We were outside jumping up and down and cheering with the children.

Today is another day and now . . .  Wait - I hear them again. . . . . .