And Why You Should Too
One of the most common questions we hear in early years settings — especially when parents visit our preschool in Dubai — is:
“How do I stop children from taking resources from one side of the classroom to the other?”
Short answer?
You don’t.
In fact, we encourage it.
At Yellow Kite Nursery, we believe that a child-led, curiosity-based approach thrives when children are free to explore, move, and make connections across spaces. Let’s unpack why this matters — and why trying to keep every resource in its ‘assigned area’ might be holding children back more than helping them.
The Problem With “Stopping”
When we try to stop children from transporting items between areas, we often do it for adult-led reasons:
- To keep the classroom tidy
- To maintain themes (e.g. blocks in the block area only)
- Because we think it’s “distracting” or “messy”
But from a child’s perspective, moving objects is meaningful. It’s how they test ideas. It’s how they link learning. It’s how they play.
So the question shouldn’t be:
How do I stop them?
It should be:
What are they telling me through this behaviour?
The Role of the Transporting Schema
Many young children show a strong interest in transporting — this is one of the recognised play schemas in early development.
You’ll notice it when a child:
- Fills a basket with blocks and carries it to another part of the room
- Pushes cars into the sand tray
- Loads pebbles from the nature table into a bag and takes it to the role-play area
This isn’t mischief. It’s a deep, natural urge to understand movement, weight, balance, and cause and effect.
By allowing this, we support cognitive development, executive function, and physical coordination.
The Curiosity Approach: Trust the Child
Our setting follows the Curiosity Approach, which means we value:
- Child-led exploration
- Natural and authentic materials
- Open-ended play
- Calm, thoughtful environments
In this kind of learning space, freedom to move is essential.
Children are not factory workers moving through a fixed schedule. They are thinkers, builders, artists, scientists. And scientists carry tools. Artists collect inspiration. Builders bring what they need to where they need it.
The ability to move a resource from one area to another isn’t a problem — it’s a sign of deeper thinking.
What Happens When You Let Go of Control?
We’ve seen it first-hand:
A toddler brings a mirror from the cosy corner to the block area. Suddenly, block play turns into an investigation of angles and reflections.
Two children take pinecones from the nature shelf and add them to the mud kitchen. Suddenly, a pretend soup becomes a sensory and mathematical experience.
These moments only happen when adults step back.
Letting go of rigid classroom zones allows room for imagination and innovation. And as a leading preschool in Dubai, we’ve seen just how transformative that freedom can be.
But What About…?
We know some common concerns come up. Let’s address a few.
1. “It gets too messy.”
Yes, mess happens. But it’s often purposeful. Tidy spaces can still be respected — with routines, gentle boundaries, and collaborative tidying practices. The mess tells a story.
2. “Children don’t respect the resources.”
Respect grows from relationship and modelling. If we show them we trust them, they rise to it. Labelling everything and saying “put it back where you found it” shuts curiosity down. Try instead:
“You’ve brought the shells to the playdough table — what are you thinking about?”
3. “Parents might think it’s chaotic.”
This is where communication matters. When families understand the why behind what we do, they see the value. Use displays, observations, and newsletters to show the learning in action.
Supporting Resource Movement Safely and Intentionally
It’s not about chaos. It’s about intention. Here’s how we make it work:
- We set up inviting, open-ended areas that welcome cross-pollination of ideas
- We observe and document the meaning behind how and why children move resources
- We support transitions with language:
“You’ve brought this puzzle to the book corner — what are you thinking about?” - We reflect with our team on what children are showing us through their play
Sometimes, a child bringing paintbrushes to the sand tray is the start of something extraordinary.
The Benefits of Free Movement
Letting children take resources where they want to:
- Encourages independent thinking
- Supports problem-solving
- Enhances motor skills
- Builds confidence and autonomy
- Nurtures creativity
- Shows trust in the child’s decisions
When children feel trusted, they take more ownership of their learning. And that’s when magic happens.
What We Do at Yellow Kite Nursery
In our classrooms:
- Nothing is “off-limits” unless it’s unsafe
- Resources are mostly open-ended and multi-use
- We welcome transport play and follow children’s leads
- Our educators observe closely, reflect often, and adjust spaces based on how children are interacting with them
- We don’t panic if a wooden spoon ends up in the construction area — we lean in and ask “What’s happening here?”
We’re not chasing Pinterest-perfect displays. We’re creating spaces where children think for themselves.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process
When you allow children to move resources, you send a powerful message:
I trust you.
Your ideas matter.
You are capable.
It’s easy to say “this belongs here.”
It takes more courage to say, “Where will you take this?”
But that’s where the real learning lives.
Looking for a preschool in Dubai that embraces child-led learning and the freedom to explore? At Yellow Kite Nursery, we’re always happy to chat, share ideas, and welcome you into our space.
Let children lead. You’ll be amazed at where they take you.