MY APPROACH
I believe each child is unique, capable, resilient, and confident and who will constantly be learning. I appreciate that children learn and develop in their own ways and at different paces. I encourage positive relationships allowing them to feel secure and independent. My provision of an enabling environment will give children the opportunity to learn and develop by responding to their individual needs.
I make use of a database called 'Kinderly Together' too initially and continually assess where your child is in their development, identify the next steps for your child's development, engage with parents and create magical moments through observations, thereby enabling them to flourish.
The positive impact of every play experiences such as: babies throwing their food over the floor (cause and effect), toddlers reading together or independently (sparking creativity and curiosity), reception children helping to bake cupcakes (even if it is sometimes a bit messy) are all vital to their learning and personal growth.
ONE-TO-ONE/ INDEPENDENT PLAY
I include Adult-Led time Learning, which incorporates EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) as a guide to support the child’s skills and development. I create fun activities and resources that I will explain and model to the children before they use them themselves. Each activity is cleverly fitted to support each child’s individual needs, development and pace of learning. This style of teaching takes place when the child applies (mentally and physically) what was previously taught, making what was learnt more engaging and more enjoyable when they re-visit the activity. The activities, are a gateway for the child to play and explore, be active learners, communicate, ask questions, think creatively and critically, work independently or together and make decisions leading to a sense of accomplishment, self-confidence and praise.
THEMES/ PROJECTS
I also use themes and projects by following the child’s interest going by their development and their fascinations.
For example: If a child shows an interest in ladybirds then I would support that interest with them, including:
- Reading fiction and non-fiction books about ladybirds
- Watch documentaries of ladybirds
- Learn about their characteristics
- Create an imaginative small world play
- Pretend role play
- Visit a nature reserves/parks
- Find joy in handicrafts
- Explore and investigate in the sensory garden and/ or trays
- Games and so much more…
In which ‘true learning really comes alive’.
OUTSIDE
Taking the children outside is very important to me as they can explore, engage and interact with nature. This time will be used to take in the fresh air, flex their muscles (run, skip, jump, climb etc) and develop their coordination, control and movement whist investigating the natural world around them together or independently.
By encompassing these stimulating and challenging opportunities to learn, your child is able to:
- Draw on meaning and purpose
- Have time and space to ‘have a go’ at trying new things/ opportunities
- Use their imagination
- Think creatively
- Show curiosity
- Develop concentration skills
- Explore
- Experiment
- Investigate
- Think critically and logically
- Use problem solving strategies
- Collaborate with others
- Work independently, explaining things in their own way
- Take risks and manage their own risks
All the while, I would continue to observe and see where they take their learning. It will allow me to ‘plan in the moment’ to further their learning, and create an environment that supports their ideas as individuals and praise their triumphs.
