Being a "Fly on the Wall"

The 2/3's day is full of challenging learning opportunities. As teachers, we often focus on these as the important parts of a child's school day. But when we take the time to be a "fly on the wall", watching and listening during the "down" times of a day, we gain a tremendous amount of insight into children and their needs. All sorts of fun things occur, all child initiated and directed. Sometimes a group is involved in sketching a plan for an airport and aircraft, then building and redesigning both. On other days, we can be treated to an impromptu concert. There are always a multitude of block structures and play scenarios begun, changed and rearranged. Plastic colored discs become treasured money, counting bears are given the power of human speech, and sometimes, not so human speech. Free flowing social groups evolve giving children the opportunity to be with classmates they might not normally choose. The list goes on and on. What's happening here? What are the children telling me as a teacher? That play matters and is still an important, vital and needed part of their lives. It is easy to see that imaginations are engaged and stretched, social exchanges are explored and amazing engineering and mathematical feats are accomplished. All serve to help a child grow in important ways that can be easily pushed aside during a jam packed day. Is play important? Is "down" time of value? Can I learn by watching and listening?
Every day!