I pay attention to children’s play, because play is their work. By this time in the school year, children are more than settled; they work together like a team. Today they built an incredible ‘scene’, something far more complex than a structure. There was a story there… I knew there had to be. So, I asked the children to tell me about what they had built.
I dashed to get pen and paper.
“How does your story start?”, I asked.
There was a loud chorus of “It happened like this.”
I wonder if they saw my smile that glowed.
This is what they built:
Their story is no surprise; it’s creative and truly thoughtful. It tells the story of what they built and ‘what happened’.
Here is the story they told:
“It happened like this.
There was a traffic jam.
We couldn’t get home.
All the cars were stopping.
The wind was blowing and people were walking.
The bridge was crashing.
The pink people saved the day.
They have strong power.
They lifted up the bridge so the cars got through,
and the people got their cars.”
Here is what I wrote to families:
Dear Families,
Today your children built an incredible scene (far more than a structure) with cars, arches, people, and blocks. Most everyone was involved. When the teacher said, “Tell me about this”, it was clear there was a story that needed to be told. A story can validate children’s hard work. It can trigger the imagination. Stories also give children the opportunity to express themselves and use their language.
Here is what they built:
Here is the story they told:
“It happened like this.
There was a traffic jam.
We couldn’t get home.
All the cars were stopping.
The wind was blowing and people were walking.
The bridge was crashing.
The pink people saved the day.
They have strong power.
They lifted up the bridge so the cars got through, and the people got their cars.”Yes, the power of story. May your children continue to build, work together, create, tell stories, and inspire us all.
Warmly,
Jennie
May all children learn to work together and create something important. May all children tell their stories. May all children inspire adults, because they are shining lights of the future.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Children are so excited and imaginative with their stories. So happy to hear their story and making a wonderful presentation too. Thanks Jennie 😊
Children really are that way. Thank you, Kamal.
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏😊🙏
This post is a beautiful and inspiring story, too.
Thank you, Frank.
Well done class! They are indeed the shining lights of the future. I am always amazed at how children often dwell on potential disasters. I tutored a 7 year old Korean boy who told me a story he had made up about the polar ice cap melting and all of North America flooding. But then he stopped and said, “You and your husband were OK as you were in Australia on a holiday.” In the midst of his disaster story, he cared that his teacher was OK. I’ll never forget that.
What a wonderful story. Yes, children are that way. In spite of everything, they are positive and see the good. Thank goodness they’re the shining lights of the future.
They built a great scene, and imagined an exciting story. Even better though, you thought to capture the moment, and to let the parents know about that creativity. That’s why you are such a wonderful teacher!
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, they did. And thank goodness I did. It was so important, which you know.
Adults could learn so much from these children, Jennie. They could also learn from themselves, if they reflected back to when play was their work. I hope you have a wonderful long weekend.
You are so right, Dan! Enjoy your long weekend.
I love how you encourage and inspire them to use their imagination and tell stories – the creation of art has such a positive impact on the mental and emotional growth of a child – bravo to all educators!
Thank you, John. If only every child was encouraged to use their imagination and tell stories, the world would be rich in humanities and art, and children would feel good about themselves.
Out of the minds of Babes. You really inspire them, Jennie.
Thank you, Don.
Jennie, this is such a heart-warming post and the children’s love of story-building is truly inspiring. Isn’t it also wonderful how they work so brilliantly together in a team – maybe adults have a lot to learn from them! Annika
Thank you, Annika. Yes, it really is wonderful, and adults can learn much from children.
I smiled from ear to ear when I read their story started with, ” It happened like this”.🥰
What a great story and build! I’m very glad it had a happy ending.
My smile was gigantic, too! Thanks, Deborah.
How delightful, Jennie. Kids are natural storytellers. If we want to hear their tales, we only need to ask. I love it that you shared the experience with the families too. 🙂
They really are natural storytellers. We just need to give them an opportunity and the floodgates open. I remember an amazing teacher telling us at a conference to keep a clipboard handy and simply ask children, “Where does your story begin?” That stuck with me. Thank you, Diana.
It stuck with you and now you’re inviting the stories, Jennie. It’s delightful.
Yes, it did. And yes, I am. I guess that’s a good thing! 😀 Thanks, Diana.
Way to run with it, Jennie. You know better than anyone that listening to children’s stories and then passing those tales onto others puts value on their work/play. What an important life lesson for us and a great empowerment strategy to give your students!
Thank you, Pete. So many good things happen for children when we pay attention and value their work.
Hi Jennie! Thank you for this excellent post! You are simply an amazing teacher!
That’s so nice, Charles. Thank you.
“Play is their work.” I love that idea. These kids could write the script for a Hollywood movie! I wish I’d had an inspiring teacher like you.
Thank you, Annabelle.
Listening. Storytelling. Play. Sharing. Encouraging. Imagination. Love these lessons. Yes, very inspiring.
Exactly! Thank you, Brian.
Where is that amazing creativity. So happy you nurture it.
Thanks, Jacqui!
What a great time they had. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
Glad you enjoyed this, John.
😊
Wonderful! And so much fun!
Yes, and thanks so much, Anneli.
Thank you for this uplifting post, Jennie! The message I took from the children’s story is that when something bad happens, good people will rush in to help those in trouble. There is kindness in community.
I took the same message from their story. They see the positive, ‘I can do’ side. The more we empower young children, the more we create a generation of helpers. Kindness matters. Best to you, Liz.
I sure hope that happens.
Me, too!
I love this and love that you documented it and shared it with parents so that they could better understand the work and learning that children are doing when they play.
Thanks so much, Beth.
I agree with Beth 100%. Maybe some future writers there.
I LOVE THIS SOOO MUCH!!!
The things we can learn from children warms my heart!
Thank you. Yes, we can learn so much from children.
That’s a great story, Jennie.
I’m so glad you liked it, Norah!
I love the communication with the parents. It extends the teaching outside the classroom, Jennie.🙂
It really does! Communicating with parents adds to the child’s success. Thank you, Bruce.
This is so beautiful ❤️
Thank you.
Hi Jennie, what a lovely building activity and structure. I remember my son, Greg, building a police station from lego. It was very detailed. He built a tiny house just outside the fence. When I asked what it was, he said a security guard hut. There are lots of those in the suburbs in SA. So funny that he put one outside the police station to keep the police safe.
Hi Robbie. Legos are one of the greatest toys. It’s engineering and creativity at its best. What a wonderful story about Greg’s Lego creation! I hope he remembers this.
Hi Jennie, that was so typical of my little Greg. Both my sons loved lego.
😀
Thanks for sharing this! Our dumpster rental company was recently called out to help demolish an old elementary school. There was something about it that felt kind of yucky. Like there were years and years of children’s stories, artwork, etc. that was all just gone. Made me think about the importance of preserving my own kid’s stories.
I would have felt the same way. Yes, preserving their stories is important. Thanks for sharing yours.
I’m sorry I missed this one, Jennie. It’s so lovely. But it was wonderful to read it now. Hugs.