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!!

Play Based Learning cont...

Hello Again and welcome to week 2!

I hope the story of the little boy inspired you (last weeks post), I think the message is very powerful and I know what sort of Educator I want to be when I read that.  So how do we make this come to life?  How do we inspire children?  How do we encourage them?  How do we develop a sense of wonder, curiosity and imagination?

The first place to start is our environment.  It has been proven that aesthetics has a direct impact of child behaviour so when choosing colours, light and furnishings be aware of this.  If there are alot of bright colours and it is to 'busy' you will generally have a room full of very active and usually loud children, if the tones are more natural and room less cluttered you create a relaxed environment where children will generally be calm and engaged.

Natural light is important and is a way in which we bring the 'outside in'.  If you are surrounded by tress, shrubs, gardens etc then make sure your windows and glass doors are free from paintings and artwork - let nature be part of your room.

Making your room feel like 'home' is vital in ensuring children feel comfortable.  Add a couch, a throw rug, some cushions, plants, lamps etc.  Creating 'soft spaces' is vital for children to feel relaxed and safe.  How often would you like to lay on a cushion and read a story in the middle of your day??

Artwork should be displayed in a meaningful way to the children.  They should have the option to put it on display or not.  Their art is important, treat it that way.  Should some go in frames - yes!  Should there be a section of wall dedicated to the children so they can put up artwork whenever THEY want to - yes!  Should there be a learning story attached to everything that goes up on your walls - yes!!

Your task for this week -

At some stage throughout your day when there are no children in the room, sit on the floor where you would normally enter the room.  Take some time and look around at every aspect of your room.  You are now at the height of a child (if in babies you may need to get down a little lower!) ask yourself a few questions.  Is the room too cluttered, too loud, too bare?  Does it look inviting for the children and families?  Are there plenty of 'soft spaces'? Are shelves neat and tidy with all the children need to create their masterpieces?  Is the learning in this room teacher or child directed?  Are there plenty of natural materials for children to use and incorporate into their play?  Is this a place where I want to BE?

When you look at the world in this way you begin to understand your children a little more, start making some small changes to your environment and make note of the changes.  Good Luck and enjoy, see you all next week.