The structure of these bottomless boxes creates an opportunity to explore how the same set of objects can be made to serve sometimes opposite functions. First, Evan (yellow shirt) and Alex (red shirt) orient the boxes in order to form a base that stabilizes the large ball when placed into the opening (00:14). Next, Evan climbs inside a box to contain his body as if riding on a train (00:30). Alex proposes a new way to use the boxes when he says, “Actually, we can make a tunnel with this” (00:43). But before crawling inside the tunnel, Alex again changes his perspective toward the boxes. He positions his body above the row and walks across the top as if walking on a bridge (01:00). Remarkably, Evan and Alex invent yet another means to transform the function of the box structures. By adding a pillow to each end and aligning the boxes more carefully, the boys effectively close the tunnel (01:35). The children then decide the closed tunnel is a good hiding place for their toys (02:48) and even a friend. Evan discovers that he can make the row of boxes function as a chute through which to toss a smaller ball (04:37). The boys’ ability to reframe the box structures is supported by the fact that the boxes are large scale, have openings at both ends, are sturdy but light, and rest on a smooth flat floor.

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