{"id":471,"date":"2021-08-19T15:27:52","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T22:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/ecec\/?p=471"},"modified":"2021-08-19T16:25:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T23:25:32","slug":"car-wash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/ecec\/2021\/08\/19\/car-wash\/","title":{"rendered":"Car Wash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Jill Adshead<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play is the highest form of research<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>Albert Einstein<\/em><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

A pile of sawed off tree branches that were recently cut from a tree in the backyard.

Untouched, neatly stacked against the metal fence. The children walked by them but yet, no one showed interest.

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

I called over to J. \u201cJ, please come here. I have something to show you.\u201d J ran over and looked at me standing directly in front of the logs.

\u201cWant to build something out of these logs?\u201d I asked. In a high-pitched voice, J excitedly said, \u201dYeah!\u201d

I asked him where we could put them. He scanned the area and focused on the tires. \u201cThere,\u201d he pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J, \u201cI need you to help me build a track.\u201d \u201cSounds like a great idea!\u201d I answered. J\u2019s friend R was nearby. I suggested to J that he include R in this build. J did so and they both eagerly took charge while I slipped into the background.

J, \u201cWe need them to go like that.\u201d J and R began to line up the logs in a straight line. I found this interesting as I assumed the children would build a campfire because of the size of the logs.

J, \u201cWe need them to jump over these.\u201d J points from from one end of the logs to the other while holding a matchbox car in the other.

R, \u201cI want a tunnel.\u201d

J, \u201cLook! There\u2019s two jumps!\u201d

The boys continue with their build.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

J, \u201cI have an idea.\u201d He doesn\u2019t finish his thought but with a long sigh, \u201cIt won\u2019t work though.\u201d

J and R don\u2019t conversate but are focused on their own project within their project.

R, \u201cThere\u2019s an ant on it.\u201d J goes to R, \u201cOh yeah, I see it.\u201d R tries to catch it. J, \u201cIt\u2019s black. The red ones are bad.\u201d

I questioned, \u201cWhat do red ants do?\u201d J, \u201cThey bite you.\u201d

J continues to build and R leaves the space. J does not ask him where he was going.

J, \u201cThis is going to be a carwash. It\u2019s going to go fast, jump, jump and over to the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

J asks if I could fill a watering can for him and I do.

J, \u201cThanks.\u201d

J slowly pours the water over the car. He proceeds to get the car dirty in the dirt and washes it off with water. This is action is repeated.

J stands up, leaving his car and water on the ground. With his left hand on his chin, \u201cThis is what I do when I am thinking.\u201d He walks in circles. J, \u201cI\u2019m thinking. This is what I do when I think.\u201d With his left hand he taps his chin.

He walks back to his car and watering can. \u201cWash, rinse, rinse, dry.\u201d

He continues, \u201cHow do we dry it off?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

At this point in time, I could have given a multitude of answers, but I wait. I say, \u201cGreat question! How do we dry it off?\u201d

J stands up again with his left hand on his chin and walks in circles. \u201cIn the sun!\u201d he exclaims.

He walks over and leaves the car on a wooden table to dry out in the sun.

J, \u201c40 minutes to dry out in the sun. It will be done drying when we are done the track.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lingering questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n