(IL State Goals: 8A, 8B, 11A, 12E, 19A, 19B)
For a more in-depth description of the skills, abilities and goals for which this exhibit was designed to enhance, please visit: Illinois State Board of Education – Early Childhood Education Standards / Goals

Description:

Here’s the best way to jump in the leaves without wrecking a freshly raked pile!  Best yet, our foam leaves are here year-round just waiting for little ones’ leaps and bounds.  It is fun just to sit inside the museum’s very own indoor tree.

Educational Philosophy:

Children learn to recognize leaf shapes while they engage in healthy social play.  Patterning and sorting will also be accomplished while the children are piling into the fallen leaves.  Browns, reds, yellows and greens prompt the youngsters to compare the leaves and use proper color words.

Summary:

In Pile In! The young child…

• Coordinates movements to accomplish large muscle tasks
• Demonstrates ability to cooperate with others during group physical activities
• Will sort and classify objects by a variety of properties
• Recognizes, duplicates and extends simple patterns
• Shows understanding of and use of comparative words