A learning story from 24 January 2026 at Woodland Park Cooperative Preschool
Well today presented quite the challenge. The tire swing, a favourite for many of our class, was tangled up with a conifer, courtesy of our kindergarten friends no doubt—and a puzzle for our preschoolers to solve.
First to arrive on the scene, two children. Seeing the problem they turn to me and ask:
“Will you get the tree out?”
To which I reply, “What have you tried?”
“I tried hitting it.”
“I’m stomping on it.”
“I’m going to try stomping too.”
We all stomp and hit at the tree (shovels have now been introduced to aid the hitting).
An invitation: “I wonder if there are other things we could try?”
Up runs another child.
“When you get the tree out can I swing on it? I want to swing on it because my friend loves to swing on it.”
This child finds a way to climb up the tree and sit high up in the tire swing watching the work below, holding their space in anticipation and encouraging their friend to climb up and join them.
More friends arrive, curious to check out the commotion and encouraged to lend a hand.
“Should we wait for the kindergartners to help?”
One child responds confidently, “These preschoolers have got it.”
We notice that the stump of the tree is dug into the wood chips. Time to add in some energetic shovelling and throwing of wood chips. Then we notice:
“You’re using the shovel like a lever—and I saw the tree move!”
Another child grabs a shovel and joins in.
The child perched in the swing tries jiggling the tire free by jumping on it.
One of the diggers is concerned that this might push the stump deeper.
It’s noted that more friends working together on the ground might mean the swing is available sooner, and the child jumps down to lend a hand while their friend surveys the scene.
Other friends come and go, but one child is determined to find a way. Using all their strength they try to lift the tire over the top of the tree. Another child diligently continues to dig and lever out the stump and is making progress.
A friend lends a hand pushing up the tire but notices that pulling from the bottom might also work.
In the end, the digging, levering, pushing, and pulling all work together—and the tire swing is freed!
Celebrations ensue. What an achievement!
But back to the matter in hand—who gets to ride on it now that it’s free?
A new challenge to tackle.
Woodland Park Cooperative School 