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.

Play Based Learning in Early Education Settings

What does this mean?

We are now surrounded by the words, 'spontaneous play', 'child directed', 'play based', 'intentional teaching', 'extending learning' and the list goes on.  All of these terms have their place in the Early Years Learning Framework but I am here to assist in making this all a little less confusing and overwhelming.  Each week I will post a blog that I hope will assist you in all endeavours when working with young children that will make yours and the children in your care daily experiences much happier and meaningful.

When developing a 'playbased' or 'child directed' curriculum your first step is understanding what this means.  As Educators (and/or Parents) we occasionally forget how amazingly intelligent our children are and that their ability to freely express themselves is one we should nurture. 

Children know what they want to learn!

This is no revelation, we know this by observing them.  The way a child looks at a flower, happily spins around on the spot, embraces their friends and loved ones, builds in a sandpit, uses a broom as a horse and role plays.  It is US who unknowingly squash this natural curiosity by filling their heads with we think the SHOULD learn! 

It is time for US to get the EDUCATION!!

I will start our journey together with a story, one that changed the way I interacted with children and still has a significant impact on my life.  Its called "The Little Boy" and I hope it inspires you.  See you all next week!

The Little Boy
by Helen Buckley

Once a little boy went to school.
He was quite a little boy and it was quite a big school, but when the little boy found that he could go to his room by walking right in from the door outside he was happy;
And the school did not seem quite so big anymore.

One morning when the little boy had been in school awhile,
The teacher said: "Today we are going to make a picture."
"Good!" thought the little boy.  He liked to make all kinds of things like; Lions and tigers, Chickens and cows, Trains and boats; and he took out his box of crayons and began to draw.

But the teacher said, "Wait!"  "It is not time to begin!"
And she waited until everyone looked ready.
"Now," said the teacher,  "We are going to make flowers."
"Good!" thought the little boy, he liked to make beautiful ones with his pink and orange and blue crayons.
But the teacher said "Wait!"  "And I will show you how."
And it was red, with a green stem.
"There," said the teacher,  "Now you may begin."

The little boy looked at his teacher's flower then he looked at his own flower.
He liked his flower better than the teacher's but he did not say this, he just turned his paper over, and made a flower like the teacher's.
It was red, with a green stem.

On another day when the little boy had opened the door from the outside all by himself,
The teacher said:  "Today we are going to make something with clay."
"Good!" thought the little boy; He liked clay. He could make all kinds of things with clay: Snakes and snowmen, Elephants and mice, Cars and trucks and he began to pull and pinch his ball of clay.

But the teacher said, "Wait!"  "It is not time to begin!"
And she waited until everyone looked ready.
"Now," said the teacher,  "We are going to make a dish."
"Good!" thought the little boy, he liked to make dishes.  And he began to make some that were all shapes and sizes.

But the teacher said "Wait!"  "And I will show you how."
And she showed everyone how to make one deep dish.
"There," said the teacher,  "Now you may begin."

The little boy looked at the teacher's dish; Then he looked at his own.
He liked his better than the teacher's but he did not say this.
He just rolled his clay into a big ball again and made a dish like the teacher's. 

It was a deep dish.

And pretty soon the little boy learnt to wait, and to watch and to make things just like the teacher.
And pretty soon he didn't make things of his own anymore.

Then it happened -
The little boy and his family moved to another house, in another city, and the little boy had to go to another school.  This school was even bigger than the other one.
And there was no door from the outside into his room.  He had to go up some big steps and walk down a long hall to get to his room.
And the very first day he was there,
The teacher said:  "Today we are going to make a picture."
"Good!" thought the little boy.  And he waited for the teacher to tell them what to do.
But the teacher didn't say anything.
She just walked around the room.

When she came to the little boy she asked, "Don't you want to make a picture?"
"Yes," said the little boy.
"What are we going to make?"
"I don't know until you make it," said the teacher.
"How shall I make it?" asked the little boy.
"Why, anyway you like," said the teacher.
"And any colour?" asked the little boy.
"Any colour," said the teacher.  "If everyone made the same picture, and used the same colours, how would I know who made what, and which was which?"
"I don't know," said the little boy.

And he began to draw a red flower with a green stem.

Excellent activity idea to engage children with nature!!

Show a group of children the pictures below in a group discussion time (dont be afraid to show the younger groups too!!) and ask them what they see.........

The extension opportunities are endless ask them "Why do you think it is a....?" "Can we find any outside?" "Where else could we see one?" "Is it part of a family?" 

We would love to hear from you - what are some of the things the children said?  Let the children's imagination run wild.  It is such a fun activity, enjoy xxx

Quality Area 3: Physical Environment

Here are some tips from those in the know -

•Complete an inventory.

•Regular maintenance checks and repairs.

•Children have access to both built and natural environments.

•Sustainable practices are embedded in the service.

* Vegetable gardens, * Recycling Bins,

* Collection of food scraps, * Worm farms,

* Compost Bins, * Create a sustainability action plan, * Make sure its an item on your staff meeting agenda.

•Naturalise your environments and make them homely, use baskets, cushions, river rocks, plants etc.

EYLF Superstars!

Learning Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

 

•2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation,

Understanding their role within the room, the service, their family, the wider community.  Help them BELONG..

•2.2 Children respond to diversity with respect,

We are all different and that’s what makes us uniquely perfect!  Celebrate what makes the children the wonderful individuals they are!

•2.3 Children become aware of fairness,

Sharing, turn taking, respecting each other, conflict resolution.

•2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  This is more than a poster or display, this should be part of your day to day routine.

Excellence in EYLF

Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words..

Learning Outcome 1: Children have  a strong sense of identity.

Here are some tips to help your Educators be EYLF stars!

•      1.1 Children feel safe, secure, and supported,

Give the children lots of cuddles, use positive words and tones, smile, create belonging areas in rooms, encourage the children to succeed.

•      1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience and sense of agency,

Intentional teaching techniques are understood and used, Educators consistantly develop positive self concepts of children, build confidence in every child's abilities, understand children can lead their learning and enjoy where it takes you!

•      1.3 Children develop knowledgeable and confident self identities,

Respect every child and family, show love, be kind, encourage all attempts, assist children to develop friendships.      

•      1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy & respect.

Children need to understand what conflict resolution is and to best way resolve their problems, Educators understand the unique personalities and behaviours of every child in their group, children have an understanding of actions and consequences.

Green Mum

Meet Green Mum Deb

Some of Deb's ideas...

Introducing a new piece for you “Green Mum” Deb is a childcare professional who is taking some time out from her career to raise her beautiful Son and Daughter.  Deb is a green Mum if ever we saw one and her tips to green up your home are easy, cost effective and fun.  This months great piece of advice – 

“Are you always buying spring onions?  With the prices of fruit and veg rising the way they are here is an idea that is simple, quick and easy and will mean more money in your pocket!   Next time instead of throwing the root ends in the bin or the compost heap, pop them into a pot close to your kitchen where they will get some sun and before you know it you will have your very own home grown spring onions, simply cut the tops off as you need them.” - Deb

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Nothing say's Summer in Queensland like sweet juicy slices of pineapple.

Fast food companies have jumped on the Pineapple bandwagon and are adding them to hamburgers some are even deep frying them. There are pineapple flavoured slushies and smoothies and there are even pineapple flavoured iced doughnuts on the market at the moment!!

But why would you bother with any of these when the real thing is so easy to grow at home?  All you need to get started is a fresh pineapple and a spare patch in the garden!

Simply cut off the top so you are left with the spiky leaves, no skin or flesh, then just plant the spiky top out in the garden or into a large pot. 
Pineapple plants will take up about 1/2 square metre of space.  You could also pop the top in a container of water for a few days before planting it out into the garden, and before you know it you'll have little roots growing. This is quite fun to do with kids as they can actually see something happening.

Pineapple plants are quite slow growing, taking up to 2 years to fruit and each fruit takes about to 6 months to ripen, but it is truly worth the wait.  So next time you're out and about at the local farmers markets grab a pineapple and have a go at growing some at home.

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Home made goodies are always such a delight to receive.

   So this year, get creative in the kitchen and treat your family and friends to a gorgeously presented home made gift.

This is one of my favorite recipes. It is quick and easy to make and you should have all the ingredients at home already.

Tangy Lemon and Passionfruit Butter

90g organic butter

1/2 cup organic raw sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice (2 - 3 lemons)

2 organic free range eggs

2 tbs passionfruit pulp

Place all the ingredients in a heatproof bowl and place on top of a saucepan of simmering water.

Stir for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture thickens.

Then pour your gorgeous tangy butter into some funky jars.

That's it, done, easy peasy!

This recipe makes 2 cups and will keep for several weeks in the fridge.