Play Based Learning Part 3

You, as an Educator!

It can be a little daunting when we realise there is much to learn and as we learn we know we have to change some of our practices.  Change is a GOOD THING!  

It is important to move and grow with the children in our care and this is the basis of a play based curriculum.

Ask yourself some questions:

• Is my environment set up to enhance child interest?
• Do I offer the children self selection in every area of the room?
• Do I ask the right questions to engage them and extend on play?
• Are the children in my group empowered?
• Am I flexible enough with our routine?

These questions are a good guide for you to start to reflect on what may need to change within your room and your teaching methods.

To help guide your practice, think of some questions you could ask the children to extend on their learning, ask them: 

• “Where could find another one of those?”
• “Does that live in nature? Should we find out where?”
• “Are there others like that one?”
• “How did that make you feel?”
• “What can we do with that?”
• “Can we make one?”
• “How can we solve this problem?”

Asking these types of questions allows you to help guide the experience so the child can get the most out of their play/discovery/day.

Be brave and follow the children’s lead – it will be so much more fun for you and the children!!