The Hole Punch That Reminded Me What Learning Really Looks Like

This week, a child became completely fascinated by a hole punch.

Not a new resource.

Not an expensive invitation to play.

Not a carefully planned activity.

Just a simple hole punch sitting on a table.

And for the next 30 minutes, they were utterly absorbed.

Punch.

Click.

A tiny circle falls.

Punch.

Click.

Another circle appears.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Watching them, I was reminded of something I think we've forgotten in early years education.

The deepest learning often doesn't happen in the activities we've planned.

It happens in the moments children choose for themselves.

Why We Struggle to Trust These Moments

I'll be honest.

Twenty years ago, I probably wouldn't have trusted this kind of play.

I'd have worried that I needed to move the child on.

Extend the learning.

Introduce a challenge.

Find a "next step."

After all, that's what many of us were taught to do.

Yet after more than 20 years...