Rainbow School Explores the Construction Next Door

On January 31st, Jasmine McMahon, a Project Engineer with Stanford’s Department of Project Management, and two members of the Vance Brown construction team visited Stanford’s international preschool, Rainbow School.  The construction team was brought in to help the preschoolers understand new sounds they’ve heard and the big trucks and new fencing they've seen next to their school over the past few weeks. They came prepared with tools and information, ready for pint-sized questions. Like an off-Broadway comedy team, they fielded questions and comments from the kids, including, “Why do you build so much?” “Why do you wear hard helmets? “My mommy is fixing our shower at home.” And “How long will it take?”

In answer to the question, “What is your favorite tool?” Terry from Vance Brown responded, “My lunch box!” and got a round of laughs from kids, teachers and parents. For many preschoolers who are learning English as their second or third language, exposure to tool names, such as “wrench,” “hammer,” “ level” and “drill,” along with touching and holding the objects, will do much to increase their working knowledge of the English language. The presentation was also an opportunity for the kids to connect to adult role models.

“It was great that Jasmine was there, because all the girls got to see a woman in construction, and many more girls than usual chose to play construction after the visit,” said Rainbow School Director Natalie Seer.

For information about the Comstock Housing Construction project, visit the website.