Building a blanket cubby outside

English Language Arts

• The child practiced following and giving directions while building the blanket cubby.
• They used descriptive language to discuss the materials and process of building the cubby.
• They may have engaged in imaginative play, creating stories and scenarios within the cubby.
• The child may have practiced reading aloud or narrating their play activities.

Math

• The child used spatial reasoning and measurement skills to plan and construct the blanket cubby.
• They may have counted the number of blankets or pillows used.
• They could have practiced shape recognition and classification when working with different types of blankets.
• The child may have engaged in basic addition or subtraction by rearranging the materials or adding/removing items from the cubby.

Physical Education

• The child engaged in physical activity while building the blanket cubby, which promotes gross motor skills.
• They may have practiced balance and coordination when arranging and climbing into the cubby.
• They may have engaged in cooperative play and teamwork if building the cubby with friends or siblings.
• The child could have practiced following safety rules, such as being cautious while climbing or ensuring the cubby is stable.

Science

• The child may have learned about the properties of different materials, such as blankets and pillows.
• They could have explored cause and effect by experimenting with different cubby designs and observing how they impact stability.
• The child may have observed and discussed the effects of weather or outdoor elements on the cubby.
• They could have learned about natural materials used in the cubby, such as sticks or leaves, and their role in the environment.

Continued development can be encouraged by providing the child with opportunities to plan and build more complex structures, such as forts or treehouses. They can also be encouraged to write or draw about their cubby-building experiences, fostering their storytelling and communication skills.

Book Recommendations

• Fort Building Time by Megan Wagner Lloyd: A story about friends building various forts and the imaginative play that follows.
• Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming: A heartwarming tale of a girl who receives a package of donated items after World War II and uses the boxes to build a special place.
• Building Our House by Jonathan Bean: A true story of a family building their own house from scratch, highlighting the different stages of construction.