The holiday season brings so much joy and wonder, and this year, we feel especially lucky to have several Christmas trees in our classroom—including a mini one that the children can decorate all on their own! This little tree has become a centerpiece of creativity and collaboration, and we’re thrilled to share how it has inspired our young learners.
We placed the small tree on a table in the dramatic center, alongside a collection of small ornaments as a provocation. We were curious to see how the children would engage with these materials. Would they incorporate the ornaments into their dramatic play, perhaps imagining them as toys or pieces of play food? Would they explore the ornaments’ textures by rolling them around like balls? With these questions in mind, we took a step back to observe.
Before long, a few children approached the dramatic center and noticed the tree. “Hey, who put this tree here? That’s so silly,” one of them remarked with a smile. Their curiosity grew as they spotted the ornaments. “Look, it’s the same as those ones on the big tree, but these are tiny baby ones!”
One child eagerly picked up an ornament and asked, “Can I decorate it?” We enthusiastically encouraged them to go ahead. The excitement quickly spread, and they invited their friends to join in. “Do you want to help?” one child asked another. Soon, the group was working together to decorate the tree.
Some of the children faced challenges when trying to hang the ornaments, but our classroom is full of kind helpers. With a little teamwork and support, everyone succeeded in adding their ornaments to the tree. Watching the children collaborate was heartwarming. They made independent choices about which ornaments to use and where to place them, all while offering help to their peers and sharing materials. These moments beautifully showcased their growing independence and their ability to practice important social skills.
As educators, we often relish the opportunity to engage directly with the children’s play. But in this instance, stepping back and observing proved equally rewarding. We got to witness their creativity, problem-solving, and cooperative spirit in action—qualities that make this season truly magical.
This simple activity reminded us of the power of open-ended play. By providing the children with a blank canvas—or in this case, a miniature Christmas tree—we gave them the freedom to express themselves and work together. And in doing so, they reminded us of the joy and wonder that comes from creating something beautiful, together.
Merry Christmas from our classroom to yours!