Let them discover, let them play - life in the Tent

The school year is over and a new one is set to begin in just over a month's time. Each year at Hayati is a year of extraordinary growth both for the children and for the teachers too. We are all learning and discovering together about the world around us and about ourselves too, perhaps some of the most important discoveries we can make in life.

As in many schooling contexts around the world, children in Morocco are often faced with too much too soon. Too much sitting down, too much control, too much memorization, too much pressure, too much inside. At Hayati we took the idea of 'kindergarten' literally, as it was always intended to be understood - 'children's garden.' The children spend their day outside in the garden playing and playing and then playing some more. They sing, dance, do art workshops, mud experiments, play in the sand, cook, go on adventure walks, climb trees, dress up and much more... Basically what childhood is supposed to be all about. And yes in that time and certainly BECAUSE they have this time, they build their literacy and numeracy skills ready for their next learning adventure to begin.

Here is a taster of life for 2-6 year olds in the Tent (it's pretty sweet!):


Splashing in puddles

 Harvesting saffron

 Obstacle courses

 More saffron! It pops up every morning in November

Nature walks

 Exploring the garden

 Sensory games

 Running is exciting!

Building a fort



Swimming pool converted into a den/sandpit for the winter

Dressing up


The kids cook everyday too making a part of their meals for the day.
Chicken filo crackers with salads

 Pizza hearts with a ton of veggies blended into the sauce

 Our pumpkin and chocolate chip cake

Art workshops and experiments take place every day:

 Print making with styrofoam and toothpicks

 Painting with marbles

 Dot to dot painting


 Making leaf people



 Making nature collages


 Name card with washi tape and water colours

Painting with balls

Making clay bowls

Discovery tables are set with different materials each day


Inviting the children to explore, manipulate and create as they please


They scoop, pour, twist and bend


They learn to cooperate, to try and try again and to communicate with their peers


In Reggio settings these are called 'provocations' designed to provoke a child's imagination, engage them and let them be completely in control of how to use the materials

It encourages the children to build their knowledge of a range of materials

Exploring shape, colour, texture, density, smell...

 The children sort, build, break, mix, stick, balance (to name a few)

They create freely while adults observe - taking notes and photos

We change the materials everyday to keep it fresh and interesting

The children are motivated, focused and free from adult interference


They can add materials to the table if they choose


At the end of the year the children each get a book which records their inventions and explorations at the discovery table and around the school


While observing we ask questions, collaborate if invited and place other materials on the table to extend their learning

 Making a mess is a sign that important discoveries were made here

Feeling free to explore and invent is an important component of happiness too!

Numeracy and literacy skills are mainly taught through games, songs and art projects but each day the children have one on one time with a teacher to complete task sheets. The children are given a choice of three task sheets, they choose what they want to complete and the teacher is there to work through it with them. This allows us to see where more support is needed and ensure the child does not feel lost or confused. At the end of the year each child has a school folder of task sheets along with our comments to take home.




Then it's back to the most important business of all, play.




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