Robotics Day was a few days ago at school, and it turned out to be one of the most special moments I’ve had with my students. Leading up to the event, we had been working in stages slowly and meaningfully through the process of creating our own robots. I wanted my students to explore the world of robotics, not just from a technical point of view, but from a place of imagination and storytelling.
We began by designing robots on paper. Each child described their robot, gave it a name, and even imagined what their robot might be afraid of. It was heartwarming to see their creativity come alive through drawings, stories, and conversations. Watching them share and interact with each other during this phase reminded me how powerful imagination can be, especially at this early stage in their learning journey.
Next, we formed teams. Each group chose a robot idea from among their peers and started planning how to bring it to life. For kindergarten students, this was a big challenge but they embraced it with excitement. We talked about how every innovation starts with an idea, and how technology begins as something imagined. Using simple materials like cardboard boxes, tissue paper cylinders, paper rolls, and bottle caps, they began to build. The room filled with energy, problem-solving, and joyful teamwork.
It was fascinating to witness the transition from paper to physical creation. Each team brought their robot to life using recycled materials. They thought carefully about how it would look, what it could do, and how to explain its purpose. Some robots were designed to help at home, others to help the Earth, and some just to make people smile. The final result was displayed at our school’s Science Fair, where families and other students admired their work.
My students had a blast at every step of the process, and for me, it was total joy and admiration to watch them create. Each robot was unique, each design told a story, and each team brought their own magic to the project. For a group of five-year-olds, building a robot was no small feat. But their determination, creativity, and collaboration turned this project into a moment I’ll always treasure. It reminded me that learning isn’t just about outcomes it’s about the process, the curiosity, and the pride in creating something that comes from the heart. This project aligned with developmentally appropriate practices that emphasize hands-on learning, creativity, and collaboration in early childhood (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 2019).
Reference:
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2019). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8 (4th ed.). NAEYC.