Insights Into Early Childhood Education

Hi friends welcome to a day at preschool! Today I’m sharing a glimpse of what an ordinary day in our little world looks like. It’s all about the moments of play, learning and discovery that make up a typical day at our preschool. A Day At Preschool The kids arrived with big smiles ready to jump into term 3 after the two-week winter break. Some of the parents made me laugh when they commented on how happy and relieved they were because preschool was open again. It must have felt like forever for them! A Busy Morning During Indoor Play It was pizza time in the home corner which we transformed into a pizza restaurant, complete with a pizza oven, felt bases and toppings. I made the pizza oven two years ago and I think it’s lasted quite well so far. This morning I had to repair the oven door with sticky tape. And it also needs a new light but overall it’s surviving quite well considering how often it gets used. This is what the pizza oven looked like when I first made it. It’s looking a bit more tired these days. After a busy morning filling so many orders, the pizza chefs made a big mess of their workstations. I had the pleasure of ‘tasting’ many of their creations. Some kids worked on tricky puzzles. Others practiced their cutting skills. Lots of rolling and squishing playdough. Some kids totally nailed their box construction game as they created impressive-looking robots. Morning snack time. Look at these delicious lunch boxes! The children from the other class made pancakes during their morning activities. Instead of maple syrup, they poured Blue Agave syrup on their pancakes and they loved it! Although I must say that anything sweet is usually a guaranteed winner! I tried some of the leftovers and they tasted great! Well done teachers and children!! This week we are celebrating NAIDOC week and we watched a video about traditional aboriginal dances. Then it was lunchtime for me and outdoor playtime for the kids. All the staff have to tag team lunch breaks to make sure that we meet our supervision ratios. We get a 50-minute break and this is when I also grab the opportunity to get some blogging done. After my break, it was time for music and movement followed by lunchtime for the children. After lunch, it was relaxation time. The kids each picked a fidget toy. Then settled down on pillows for about 30 minutes. Today no one fell asleep but sometimes we might have one or two children drift off for a little nap. When relaxation time was over the kids packed away their toys and pillows and it was time for more outdoor play until pick-up time. Afternoons are always a flurry of activity at preschool, with packing away and cleaning as well as getting things ready for the next day. Trust me, there’s never a dull moment! It’s like a built-in workout and who needs a gym membership when you’ve got this much physical activity? Getting my steps up is a breeze, and it’s definitely a great way to stay active. So, that’s a day at preschool- a mix of fun and hard work every single day. As an educator, I’m grateful to be part of these little ones’ lives as they learn and grow. I have to admit that keeping up with their endless energy can be tough on this not-so-young body. Not to mention all the setup and cleanup we do all day long. But it’s a very rewarding job and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Except maybe on rainy days when we are stuck inside. On those days I might let my mind wander and briefly daydream about switching careers hehe!

After the winter school holidays, we are back at preschool and kicking off by celebrating NAIDOC week. What is NAIDOC week? NAIDOC week is an annual event held in Australia and the acronym “NAIDOC” stands for “National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee”. During this week, Australians come together to honour and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC week is all about colourful festivities, cultural performances, and art exhibitions. As well as a variety of activities that showcase the contributions of indigenous Australians to our nation. NAIDOC week typically falls in the first full week of July each year. NAIDOC Week At Preschool Celebrating NAIDOC week at preschool is important as it’s a special time when the children can learn about the history and culture of Indigenous Australians. We get to hear stories, do arts and crafts and learn about their traditions. By doing all these activities we show respect and kindness to our First Nation friends. And it’s also a great way to learn and appreciate their heritage better. Today we had an Aboriginal performer come along to the preschool and she introduced us to her culture. She shared some songs and traditional dances. It was interesting to learn some words from her language and she even brought along some tools used by her ancestors for hunting, gathering and preparing meals. At the end of the performance, the children had the opportunity to get their hands painted with an emu symbol. And interestingly, the paint she used was made from a special rock called Ochre. Ochre is the natural pigment that has been used for thousands of years by indigenous Australians in their traditional art and ceremonies. The children were curious and attentive throughout the show, which was great to see because they can get easily distracted. After all, they’re only four and five years old! Their endless energy and eagerness to explore means that their focus can easily shift from one thing to another in a matter of seconds. So I thought they did a great job of sitting still and following along. I enjoy having incursions at preschool because apart from them being so much easier to organise than excursions. They are also a fantastic opportunity for our preschoolers to learn about different cultures and traditions. And each experience is valuable as it helps the kids to appreciate and understand how others live.  

As parents, caregivers, and educators we all want to ensure that children receive the best possible start in life. One awesome way to make sure of this is by learning through play! Play is such an important part of a child’s development. And research has shown that it can have a major impact on their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Learning Through Play What Is Learning Through Play? Learning through play is an educational approach that promotes both learning and development. It emphasises the importance of play in the learning process. And it involves creating a play-based environment where children can freely explore, experiment and discover the world around them. Learning through play is a powerful learning tool because it allows children to develop cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills in an organic and engaging way. Learning through play is all about sparking a child’s natural curiosity and creativity. By providing fun and engaging opportunities for exploration, children can develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive both academically and personally. Plus, when learning feels like play, it’s more memorable and enjoyable and this can help children stay motivated and eager to learn more! The Different Types Of Play In the context of learning, there are different types of play that can be used to help children develop important skills while they are having fun. Here are some examples: Imaginative Play Also known as pretend play or role-playing. This is where children can let their imaginations run wild as they take on different roles. Constructive Play Children can get creative with building blocks, legos or clay. Physical Play Children can burn off some energy and enjoy fun physical activities such as running, jumping, climbing and playing sports. Games with Rules These are great for teaching children about following instructions, taking turns and fair play. Some examples of games with rules are board games, card games, or sports games. Social Play Involves interacting with others, such as cooperative play, where children work together towards achieving a common goal. This is perfect for practising teamwork and communication. Another aspect of social play is dramatic play where children take on different roles and act out scenarios together. Exploratory Play Involves exploring and discovering new things. Children can investigate objects or use scientific experiments. Sensory Play Sensory play is all about engaging children’s senses, like touch, taste, smell, sight and sound, through fun activities like sensory bins, water play or messy play. It’s a fantastic way to help children learn and explore the world around them. The wonderful thing about learning through play is that you can mix and match different types of play to achieve different learning goals and cater to the unique needs and interests of children at various ages and stages of development. Benefits Of Learning Through Play 1. Develops Social Skills Play provides children with the opportunity to interact with others. Therefore this helps them to develop important social skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy and self-regulation. Through play, children learn to express their emotions, form relationships and interact with others in a positive way. All of these are critical for building a strong sense of self. Play also teaches children sharing and turn-taking skills. As well as the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. 2. Enriches Creativity Play inspires children to use their imaginations and be creative in the way they problem-solve. This helps them to flex their minds and think outside the box! 3. Builds Physical Skills Learning through play gives children the opportunity to develop important physical skills such as balance, coordination and dexterity. From running around in the sunny park to playing with fun construction toys. Play activities can help your child to develop their physical abilities and build a strong foundation for lifelong health and well-being. 4. Improves Cognitive Skills Play can help to improve cognitive skills such as memory, attention, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and imagination. When children engage in play activities, they are constantly learning and processing new information. Play can also help children to develop their language and literacy skills, as they engage in conversations, storytelling and imaginative play. 5. Fosters A Love Of Learning Children who are fully immersed in a play activity are much more likely to retain information than when they are passive learners. Therefore when learning is fun and engaging, children will be able to learn at their full potential and embrace a lifelong love of learning Tips For Encouraging Your Child To Learn Through Play: Make Education Fun and Engaging! Follow Your Child’s Lead Let your child choose the play activities that they are interested in and go with it! This will guarantee that they will be thoroughly engaged and super motivated to learn. Provide A Nice Variety Of Materials Offer your child a variety of play materials, such as blocks, puzzles, art supplies and outdoor equipment. This will give your child plenty of opportunities to explore and discover amazing new things. Don’t Sit Back Make sure that you don’t sit back instead join in the fun too. Play with your child and this will strengthen your bond with them. In addition, it will give you the opportunity to model positive social behaviours. Make Learning Fun When you are playing with your child you can do things like ask questions and provide challenges. This incorporates learning into play activities. And don’t forget to give lots of praise and encouragement too! Create A Safe And Supportive Environment Make sure that the play environment is safe, welcoming and supportive. This can include making sure that there is adequate supervision, and clear rules and expectations. Ready, Set, Play! In conclusion, learning through play is a fun and effective way for children to develop new skills and reach their full potential. When you encourage your children to learn, you are helping them to become happy, healthy and successful individuals. So, let’s get creative and explore all the amazing ways we can use play to help

Are you a parent or an educator looking for fun and engaging ways to teach young children about sustainability and caring for the environment, but not quite sure where to begin? Then you are definitely not alone. But keep in mind that teaching young children about being eco-friendly doesn’t have to be dull. In fact, there are many interesting and creative ways to present these important topics to young children. Teaching young children about sustainability can be interesting and fun! So let’s explore some strategies we can use to teach this very important topic to young children that will inspire them to grow up to be responsible caretakers of our precious planet. Why Is Teaching Young Children About Sustainability So Important? Before we jump into looking at some methods for teaching sustainability to young children and how we can incorporate eco-friendly practices into our daily routine. Firstly we need to explore why this education is so necessary. Young children are the green guardians of the future! Therefore it is vital that they understand how important it is to care for and protect the environment. In addition, teaching young children about sustainability has many learning and developmental benefits. For example, it teaches children a sense of responsibility as well as self-awareness. It fosters empathy and understanding of how their actions impact others and the world around them. Furthermore, teaching sustainability at a young age will ingrain positive practices and values that they will carry right through until they are adults. Introducing young children to sustainability will ensure that they will grow up to be a mindful and responsible generation of people who will actively preserve the earth for the future. How To Teach Children About Sustainability Explore Nature Together Exploring nature together is one of the simplest and most practical ways to present sustainability to young children. Spend some quality time exploring nature together! Go on a fun nature walk and talk about all the different plants, animals and insects you can spot. This will encourage lots of discussions about the importance of preserving these delicate ecosystems. Incorporate Sustainable Practices Into Everday Routines Incorporating sustainable practices into every day routines is a very effective way of teaching young children about sustainability. Encourage your children to do simple yet important things like Turn off lights whenever possible. Switch off electronics if they are not being used. Teach them to open the blinds and curtains to use natural light as much as possible. Don’t waste water by making sure to turn the tap off when your children are brushing their teeth. Encourage children to take shorter showers. All of these suggestions are small yet they can make a big impact on the environment. Don’t forget to have lots of conversations with your children about why doing these things is so important. And how these everyday practices will help to look after our natural resources. Use Environmentally Friendly Products Using environmentally products is yet another fantastic way of teaching children about sustainability. Talk to them about why it is important to use reusable water bottles and food containers. Pack them a sustainable lunch box every day for preschool or school. And teach them to recycle whenever possible. Be A Good Role Model Children learn more from what we do than what we say. And they are always watching! So don’t forget to be a good role model and make sustainable choices. For example, take your own shopping bags every time that you go to the supermarket. Make a conscious effort to not buy unnecessarily packaged food. Perhaps visit a local farmers market and let them help you choose fresh fruit and vegetables. Let them see that food doesn’t have to come out of a plastic wrapper. Plant A Garden Young children love to get their hands dirty and explore. That’s why planting a garden is such a great way to teach them about the importance of growing their own food. Children love to care for the plants by watering them and they are absolutely fascinated when they can see plants growing and producing food. When it comes time to harvest their food. The excitement on their faces is such a joy to watch! And it’s amazing to see them be so willing to taste fruits and vegetables that they have grown themselves. Have A Worm Farm Another fun way to teach children about sustainability is to keep a worm farm. Children can learn all about the benefits of composting and the natural process of decomposition. Furthermore, children will gain an appreciation of the amazing role that worms have in our ecosystem. Looking after a worm farm can also spark lots of conversation about the importance of reducing food waste and how food waste can be repurposed instead of going into a landfill. Children will also really enjoy looking after a worm farm and they will be amazed to see how fast the worms manage to chomp through food scraps to produce nutrient-rich soil Use Natural Materials Children can be incredibly persistent about wanting to buy toys. But try hard not to give in to pester power. And instead of buying expensive plastic toys that will keep them entertained for a short amount of time. Why not use natural materials like clay, cardboard boxes, old magazines or fabric? This is much more sustainable and the added bonus is that they will spend hours using their creativity and imagination. Make Recycling Fun And Engaging To make learning about recycling engaging you could try some fun games and crafts. Make your own matching games or create an art project using only recycled materials. In Conclusion Teaching children about sustainability can be a lot of fun. Engaging in activities like exploring nature, using eco-friendly products, embracing sustainable practices in everyday life and being a positive role model. You can nurture and instil in your child a real passion and respect for the environment that will last a lifetime.  

Hi friends, it’s so lovely to be back today for this week’s Friday favourites. I honestly didn’t have a bunch of favourites about this week! I’ll be sure to share all about this past week sometime soon. So instead I thought that I might share a little bit about myself and how I became interested in working in early childhood education. I always love getting to know people through their blogs and I thought that you might like to get to know me a little more too. Working in early childhood education is definitely one of my favourite things! (If any of my lovely co-workers are reading this…I know I know some days are hard!!). Because I have so many favourite things about working in early childhood education. I actually did a whole post about it a while ago and you can find this post here. Believe me, there are plenty of fun reasons! Working In Early Childhood Education Today I am recapping how I eventually landed where I am today working in a preschool. I have always loved being around children, I mean always. Even way back in primary school when I was twelve. I volunteered to go on a roster where I would go and clean the kindergarten room after the children had finished their lunch break. Now that’s passion!!  I also taught Sunday school for many years and helped out at the kids club at church. If there was any opportunity for me to be able to help out with kids or babysit I was there! I Originally Wanted To Be A Child Psychologist During high school, I read a book by Torey Hayden called ‘One Child’. I didn’t just read it once, I must have read it at least ten times if not more! Because I just found it so inspiring. ‘One Child’ is a memoir written by additional needs teacher and now psychologist Torey Hayden. And is all about her experience working with her class of very young additional needs students over the course of a year. If you haven’t read it you totally should and I would really have to say that it is my favourite book ever. Anyway, when I finished school I decided that I wanted to be a child psychologist just like Torey Hayden. And I never considered teaching not even for a second. While I was at uni doing an arts degree and majoring in psychology. A friend of mine who was working as a cook in a long daycare centre called me and asked if I wanted to do some casual work at her centre. Oh, boy I sure did and so I totally jumped at the chance!!!  I Ended Up Happily Working In A Daycare Centre I remember walking into the childcare centre and then I absolutely loved every minute of working there. Honestly, I couldn’t even believe they were paying me for it. I loved it so much that I would have gladly done it for free! I loved all the crafts, messy play, singing, storytime, rest time, and outdoor play…I was in heaven!! So I guess this was my introduction to early childhood education and I ended up doing a whole lot of casual work at many different childcare centres as a part-time job while I was studying at uni. I couldn’t believe my luck! A Change Of Direction When I finished my first year of uni I decided that maybe psychology wasn’t for me. While I did enjoy the course I hadn’t expected that I would have to do a whole lot of statistics!!! I mean I break out in a sweat if I have to count higher than my fingers! Numbers, maths and me…nope we are not friends. I miraculously passed the statistics courses. Thanks to a book called ‘Statistics Without Tears’, although there were plenty of tears. And I did well in the other subjects that I enjoyed. But I really really wanted to have a year off from uni and just go to work in childcare. I remember talking to my mum about it and she was all like…No way young lady! You go back there and finish what you started. You walk away now and you will never go back. Gulp, I knew better than to mess with my mum. And I am so glad that I listened to her. So I went back to finish my Bachelor’s degree. But my plans to progress further with psychology were pretty much over. I just wanted to get in there and be with the kids in a childcare setting. And I knew that my mum would be ok with me at least finishing a bachelor’s degree. Phew! Big Life Events Another huge life event was that I actually got engaged to my husband during my second year of uni. And we got married when I was in my third year. I graduated from uni and went straight to work in a long daycare centre. It was bliss! I worked in the nursery and I got to take care of babies all day long. I have to confess that the nappy change routine after lunch was probably not my favourite. But everything else was! I worked for about a year and a half before I got pregnant with my oldest son Luke. Being around all those babies and smelling their little heads, cradling them in my arms just made me desperate for my own!! I took maternity leave and then I went back to work on a part-time/casual basis. When Luke was four I saw an ad in the local paper (yep…there was no internet back then) for a part-time position at a preschool right near where I lived. It was a small community-based preschool and they offered four paid term breaks. That’s right paid!! As well as the usual four weeks of paid holiday leave. I couldn’t believe this kind of job even existed outside of primary and high schools!! The working

The benefits of dramatic play in early childhood education are really quite amazing. Some of these benefits include language development, promoting problem-solving skills, encouraging physical development, as well as creativity and imagination. What Is Dramatic Play Dramatic play is where a child pretends to be someone else. They will take on the role of that other person or character. When kids are involved in fun dramatic play they will typically copy actions or speech and act out scenarios. These scenarios may come from real-life experiences or they may be inspired by fantasy. Some Examples Of Dramatic Play Pretending to be a parent and looking after dolls in the home corner A child who pretends to be a baker and makes cakes in the sandpit. When a child pretends to be a superhero and runs around pretending to fly. When children use a workbench and tools and pretend to be builders Types of Dramatic Play Structured play Structured play has definite guidelines where children are given a fixed scenario for them to play. For example, an educator may set up a hospital or restaurant within the dramatic play area of a classroom. They will then provide specific props, dress-ups, and provocations for the children. Then it is up to the children to decide what roles they are going to choose and delegate within this dramatic play setup. Unstructured Play Unstructured play is when children freely choose or create their own play scenarios. They will then use any resources they find to create their own settings. The Importance Of Dramatic Play Dramatic play may just seem like playing but it is an incredibly important learning process that helps children’s development. It helps parents and educators to connect with children in new ways. Dramatic play gives children the opportunity to think symbolically During dramatic play Children can take the lead and parents or educators can follow the child’s interest. The Benefits Of  Dramatic Play In Early Childhood Education Improves Language And Communication Skills Dramatic play fosters language development. It inspires children to communicate their ideas and suggestions to their peers. In addition, it may expose children to new words that they may not come across daily. Furthermore, dramatic play can also be a safe and non-threatening inviting experience for shy children. Children who are more reserved may really benefit from fun dramatic play experiences. Eventually, they may feel comfortable enough to express themselves verbally as they join in group play. Promotes Thinking, Learning, And Problem-Solving Skills During dramatic play, children will have the opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas.  As well as learn to listen to the ideas and suggestions their peers have to offer. In addition through dramatic play, children will learn important negotiation skills when things don’t go their way. Children will also be challenged with abstract concepts when they are involved in dramatic play. This is because children will learn to use symbols and different objects to represent different meanings. Dramatic Play Encourages Physical Development Children will tend to move about more when they are engaged in dramatic play. They may pretend to run around and fly like a superhero or they may crawl around pretending to be a dog or a cat. When children are busy playing in the sandpit pretending to be builders. They will be giving their muscles a good workout as they dig and empty out heavy buckets of sand. Encourages Imagination And Creativity Children create stories, act out roles and use their imaginations during dramatic play. They will also substitute objects to represent other things. For example, during sandpit play children may use small twigs or leaves to represent candles for a birthday cake that has been made out of the sand. Supports Emotional Stress Dramatic play can also provide children the opportunity to sort out feelings of stress or anxiety. At times children may find events in their lives scary or difficult to understand. They may use dramatic play to re-enact these real-life events. This can help educators or parents have some awareness of what the child may be experiencing or feeling. They can then offer much-needed help and support. How To Encourage Dramatic Play  The benefits of dramatic play in early childhood education are very important. Therefore children should be encouraged to participate in dramatic play whenever possible. It has so many wonderful learning benefits and opportunities as well as being great fun for them! It is quite easy to set up some really inviting dramatic play setups either at home or in early childhood centres. Get Creative! Early childhood centres will have a variety of resources that educators can use to set up many different kinds of inviting dramatic play scenarios. Parents can also get creative at home and provide fantastic dramatic play opportunities. Sofa cushions can become caves, or cubby houses by adding a few blankets. You can use a big cardboard box and turn it into a spaceship. Turn the box upside down and you have a stove. Just add a few small pots, pans, and wooden spoons for the kids to become chefs in a restaurant! Get Involved In Play Dramatic play is a perfect time when you can really get involved in lots of fun imaginary play with children. You can be a customer in a cafe or a patient in a doctor’s surgery. Children will have the best time when adults get down to their level and become a playmate. Don’t Lead The Play When you are joining in children’s dramatic play don’t be tempted to direct. Instead, follow their lead. By not interfering you will be encouraging their ideas and creativity! Give Children Room To Play In an early childhood centre, children will have plenty of space for lots of fun dramatic play. Try and be flexible at home and give children the space they need to be creative. If they are using furniture, cushions, and blankets for their dramatic play. Remember that all of this can be tidied away at the end. Provide