What really matters- Exchanges about objects- e.g. bowling pins. Whit was always game to take the play in different directions. One easy thing to do to extend learning through play is to add variation and different layers to what we’re already doing. Adding bowling pins to our ball play created new challenges and new discoveries, so we could keep the exchanges going down new paths.

How to put it into practice- Once Whit and I had some ball play under our belt, we introduced some bowling pins to the fun. The first thing we had fun with was taking the pins out of their bag (see “Out” video). Babies are conquering new challenges all the time and Whit needed to figure out what this thing called a Bag was and how to get stuff out (She seemed to be thinking “If I shake it, they should come out?”). Or maybe Dada can help alittle by pulling them toward me. That makes it easier to  handle and grab stuff. The features of the pins themselves are great for exploration (see Pin Expressions video)

Whit had no concept of bowling or how to do it. Only by accidental ball rolls could Whit see what impact the contact of a ball had on a pin. I am not at all certain that Whit noticed this but I would try to emphasize the effects of her accidental strike of the pins (see “Striking” video). Emphasizing results helps draw attention to the effects. It is through this trial and error that Whit started to pick up this bowling thing.   (read more about I3 Dev Focus: Exchanges)