In the heart of our Play & Discovery program, the most profound moments of learning often begin with quiet invitations. One recent morning, a teacher placed a small fan near the floor. Next to it, a shallow basket of feathers. No instructions, no prompts—just possibility. Then, as is often the case in Reggio-inspired practice, the teacher stepped back to watch what might unfold.
It didn’t take long.
Two two-year-olds wandered over, drawn by the gentle hum of the fan and the curiosity stirred by those soft, weightless feathers. They crouched beside the basket, picking up one feather, then another. One child dropped a feather near the fan—and gasped as it danced into the air.
That was it. The moment. Wonder was ignited.
From there, the exploration took flight. The children tried letting feathers go from different heights. They experimented with placing them directly in front of the fan versus off to the side. They watched with delight as some feathers floated gently, while others whooshed away quickly depending on their angle and position. One tried blocking the wind with their hand, noticing how it changed the feather’s path. Another began to collect the feathers and repeat the process again and again, giggling each time the feather rose.
What looked like a simple game was, in fact, a rich exploration of cause and effect, airflow, force, and pattern. It was also a study in collaboration—two young children negotiating space, taking turns, and sharing observations without words. Through gestures, giggles, and repetition, they built a shared understanding.
This is the essence of our approach at DAZI. We believe in setting the stage with care and intention, then allowing the children’s natural curiosity to take the lead. We resist the urge to intervene, explain, or direct. We observe, reflect, and if needed, support—but only after their ideas begin to unfold.
In that short span of time, no formal lesson was taught, yet so much was learned. Scientific thinking was sparked. Sensory processing was engaged. Communication and social connection were nurtured. And above all, joy was present.
We sometimes hear the question: “But what are they learning?”
To that, we smile and say: Everything they need to know right now.
Because when children are given space to explore, they don’t just play—they discover. They test. They wonder. They learn. And like those feathers caught in the breeze, their imaginations lift off and soar.
Rosetta
