Here, two children are using colored gems to represent different things on an ahupua’a. We will be learning about the ahupua’a this month. The concept of the ahupua’a can be an abstract (intangible) one for young children. We are using the abstract idea of the ahupua’a in our art studio using various art techniques such as ephemeral art that is photographed here, painting, drawings, maps, and sculptures.

Today in the Dramatic Play Area, the children lined up the chairs to make a fire truck.  Julia pretended to be a firefighter.  Kamakani was the fire truck driver.  He said, “I made a fire truck.  We was shooting out the fire.  It was right by me.  There was somebody stuck in the fire.  I got the ladder and saved the boy.  I called the ambulance and the ambulance took him to the doctor.  Dr. Kala was in the back.”  Kala and ‘Olena pretended to be doctors.  Kamakani’s dad is a firefighter.  Children bring their real life experiences and knowledge into the classroom and engage in meaningful play.

Our Dramatic Play area is full of props and dress up clothes of different community helpers.  Children show their growing awareness of their community and learn about themselves and other people by taking on a variety of roles in dramatic play.  Today, two “doctors” worked on a baby.  One child shared, “We fixing her.  Because her was dead. I was the doctor.  I put the medicine in her mouth.   Her wake up.  We fixed her.”