Thesis

In early childhood education, the ability to self-manage risk is rarely introduced, with risk either being removed or having explicit procedures to manage. We believe that Montessori environments would be able to successfully incorporate Un-Blocking Risk, our project which aims to give kids control over risk in their play. By challenging them to build a tower as tall as they're comfortable in the stability of, we can teach risk without contradicting Montessori values.

Designing for a Montessori client

Exposure to tactile objects as a form of motor skill development

Natural materials, exploration of materials and textures

Student preference for playing alone or next to other people not actively participating

Classrooms are set up to make students feel successful all the time

Students enjoy stacking things, especially abstract objects

Simple shapes and minimalist aesthetic

"How did you play with blocks as a kid?"

"How many blocks would you want in a set?"

Bar graph:

"How scared are you of failure?"

Sketches

Renderings

Intended User Overview

Age of User: 3-5 years

Number of Students: 1-2



User (student) characteristics:

Curious, good spatial awareness, Risk Averse or Risk Prone

Level of teacher supervision while playing:

Low upon confirming that the student will not attempt to consume the toy

Lesson Plan for Educators

Phase 1: exploration

Phase 2: introduce vocab & concepts

• Instructor takes one block and rotates it in their hand, then puts it down on the ground.
• Instructor takes a second block, feels around it, and puts it down on top of the first block.
• Instructor leaves student to stack further blocks. If student is still unsure, instructor can do this a third time.

• In this phase, the instructor will introduce core vocabulary and the concept of stacking.
• Vocabulary: Tall, Short, Medium, Stack, Up, Down
• Concepts: Stacking and unstacking, balance

Phase 4: student practice

Phase 3: instructor demonstration

• Instructor takes blocks of the same shape but different materials, picks them up, inspects them, and says the name of the material (rubber, plastic, or wood) and puts them down next to each other.
• Instructor builds tower of singular material until it falls, demonstrating the idea of choice of material by picking up, inspecting, and putting down blocks not made of their chosen material.

• Instructor gives the blocks to the student, handing one of each shape and material to the student, one at a time, before handing them the full container.
• Instructor observes to make sure the students do not attempt to eat the blocks, particularly the rubber ones.
• Instructor encourages students to put blocks away.

Video Demo (1-2 minutes)

Additional notes for Wildflower teacher:

• The rubber and wood finish used are food-safe, but students should still be reminded not to eat the pieces.
• If the student attempts to use the toy to build something other than a tall tower, that shouldn't be discouraged, but a reminder of the idea might help some students.
• Some students may need to be reminded that it's okay if it falls.