Inside or outdoors, chalk is a loose part that’ll keep interested children busy playing and creating for hours. This stuff supports trajectory, enveloping, enclosing, and other schema play as well. It’s also a useful tool for practicing early language and numeracy skills.
I’m so old, I remember having to clean erasers when I misbehaved in class, and thinking it was fun. And misbehaving a second time, so I could do it again. I also remember having to go to the board to complete math problems or write spelling words with a tiny white stick of the stuff. I’d hold it too tight, and it’d snap in half. I had very little practice writing on a vertical surface. My chicken scratch was barely legible, and I’d end up being scolded for my horrible handwriting–because neatness counted. It made me anxious and flustered and hate school.
This post has really taken a dark turn. Who knew part of my nearly life-long academic malaise could be traced back to sticks of calcium carbonate? Anyway, chalk is great and kids should get to use it, but how about you make it fun instead of dread-inducing for the little tykes? Give them the joy I never got from the stuff.
Here are some related DIY posts we’ve pulled together here at Playvolution HQ on making your own sidewalk chalk, making chalkboard signs, and making chalkboard panels.
Chalk At Play
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