Executive Functions: Out of the Shadows!
Hansel and Gretel
Illustrated by award-winning artist Sybelle Schenker
Children are fascinated by shadow play, and there are many ways to bring this into your setting.
While STEM connections are obvious, this in-depth article explores many other developmental benefits and ideas as well!
And to bring executive functions (EF) out of the shadows, take a page out of this version of Hansel and Gretel! Explore wax paper!
Many children have never seen it, which adds to the mystery.
After children have had the chance to look through it at different objects, here are some ways to explore wax paper as an art medium!
What you’ll need
Wax paper, cut to size
Black construction paper
Scotch tape (this works well; other options depending on age of children are Extreme Glue Stick, stapler, other tape
Best option: let the children have attachment choices and experiment themselves!)
How to Suggestions
Have children rip, snip and/or cut pieces of black construction paper. Other colors are fine but will give a different look.
Explore arranging pieces on their piece of wax paper.
When ready (37 seconds if they know they can use the tape!!), have them attach their paper bits to the wax paper.
THEN!
How does their creation look against a window?
Over a picture in a book?
On top of a picture they’ve drawn?
With a flashlight behind it?
How it builds Executive Functions
Cognitive flexibility
Seeing things in a new way (like through wax paper!) encourages flexible thinking!
And allowing children to experiment with different ways of attaching scraps to wax paper is a great way to get them to generate alternative problems and solutions.
Working memory
Cutting, tearing, gluing, taping: all of these processes require a sequence of steps.
Be sure to demonstrate how to use new materials first to maximize this.
Kids CAN discover how to tear off pieces of tape etc. on their own.
But it may have a different learning outcome than working memory…not better or worse: just different!
Want to know more about the artistic process of Sybille Schenker? This video shows her work on Hansel and Gretel, as well as Little Red Riding Hood and The Frog Prince.
