As a former early years practitioner I know that children learn a great deal through play, I don’t really agree with the idea of having a curriculum for children under the age of 3; I don’t think it is necessary.
When I was a child minder all my under 5’s learnt to tell the time of 12.30 because that was when a slightly older child arrived during the school holidays and they all loved her, I had a clock in the playroom and they would often comment that Laura will be here soon when looking at the clock whilst playing.
The children learnt the names of colours when drawing with coloured pencils and crayons and painting, one particular boy learnt colour recognition by playing with toy vehicles as he didn’t have the concentration span to do arts and craft activities.
The children’s first experience of counting when in my care was when I carried them upstairs for a nap or accompanied them to the toilet, I would count the stairs out loud as we climbed. They all learned to count to 13 (the number of stairs) quite quickly, we also counted when singing certain songs and rhymes and looked out for numbers and colours whilst out and about.
At a toddler group session the children would celebrate any birthdays by clapping the age of the child who had the birthday after singing happy birthday to him, I recall them clapping to my birthday when I was 34!
Messy play gives children the opportunity to learn about texture as well as colour.
I strongly believe that children learn more easily when they are in a safe, happy environment, I have observed that babies learn from watching older children, which is why I am not keen on settings who are made to separate the babies in a dedicated baby room. Child minders don’t do this, everyone plays together ( sorry if this offends some settings).
Taking children out and about also teaches them road safety.
Early years professionals use their observations of children playing to plan future activities to move children up to the next level.
I would like to thank Kirsty Butland for once again letting me use her photos in this post.
I would be interested to hear what others think of my ideas.
As always questions, comments and topic suggestions are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
My entire teaching philosophy at school and also now at home with my children (and actually on my blog too lol) centres around the idea of children learning best through play. I wrote my post grad dissertation on the merits of keeping provision through to year one but in fact I’d actually argue that it is possible to teach children all the way through primary school by following their interests and planning exciting, play based activities to engage them in their learning. It makes me SO sad to see the way EYFS classrooms are becoming more formalised and this is why I am in no rush at all to go back into the school classroom. #kcacols
Another good blog with helpful advice Karen.
#thesatsesh learning through play is EVERYTHING. I’m a huge advocate of the childens right ‘the right to play’ particularly in refugee camps. EYFS barely exists in my childs year one class and its something I wish I could change.
So true! When I try to ‘teach’ my son, it often falls flat. He recognises me in work mode and switches off but he picks up so much when we’re just running around and having fun, the problem is I don’t often notice.
Great insightful post and play is really important X #anythinggoes
I love reading your blog, as a childminder myself, I know the importance of play. Thanks for sharing
Very interesting … ot stands to reason that children learn more easily when they engage in activities that directly link concept to motor skills #GlobalBlogging
I agree 100%. There is always something that can be learned through playtime and it’s really the best way for children to naturally develop in my opinion. #KCACOLS
Play IS learning, it is learning made fun, we should keep it going as long as possible. #Twinklytuesday
Ever since Ben started to show interest in toys I’ve noticed his learning has increased significantly, taking into account he doesn’t go to nursery or play groups; he is very bright as confirmed by his HV. I’m all for learning through play – I wish thats how uni worked hahah!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
Play can not be stressed enough. Children need unstructured free play. They need to get dirty and wet and be outside! Thanks for writing this. #keepingitreal
I found just reading to a young child or explaining what I’m doing is often retained and verbalized by the child. #keepingitreal
I completely agree with you, I think there’s too much pressure on young children regarding following a curriculum. They learn at their own pace during play. My eldest who’s 4 finished with his childminder in Aug and it was such an emotional time for us. He’d learned such a lot while in her setting. Doing the school run with her and mixing with older children he picked things up naturally and quickly. Mixing with ‘babies’ helped him to develop his caring side and learn to be patient and put others needs before his own…as a result he’s a brilliant big brother, to his 19 month brother and he’s really excited to meet his youngest brother when he arrives this month 😊 A lovely read thank you
#TwinklyTuesday
Thanks for being feedback, I am pleased to hear that you agree with my way of thinking, happy to hear also that your son did so well in the care of his child minder, many of the children that I looked after have now left school and several parents have given me credit for how well they have done in exams! x
I completely agree that young children learn best through play – messy play is fab especially! #thesatsesh
This is so important and sad how many parents are not aware of the value of play!!!
Play is such an important part of learning, it’s great to hear how you incorporate it so well with the children you’ve worked with. I wish the school curriculum kept more play in for longer. #KCACOLS
I think children learn more through interactions with their peers than with a structured curriculum especially at such a young age. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
Hi Karen, there is a lot to be said by making learning fun and natural. Little ones shouldn’t be forced to learn, they are like little sponges and learn so much through play.
Thank you for linking up with #keepingitreal.
xx
Learning through play seems to really work. I wish they carried on doing that way for a little bit longer. Thanks for bringing these ideas to the #DreamTeam
Maths and English are certainly the basics of many everyday things we forget this as an adult it seems. #keepingitreal
I think learning through play is great. I think kids pick up more this way at a young age. My daughter learned a lot from her older brother, so I agree with you about have mixed ages together. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
Learning through play is the best way by far. Our 8yo is proof of that. And I agree with the childminder settings too. Children learn so much from their peers. #kcacols
What a great post! You don’t really think about all the ways children can learn just from playing. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Whimsical Wednesdays Link Party! Hope to see you again this week. Have a great day!!
Yep, definitely agree that children learn a lot through play! And that they learn more in an environment where they feel safe and happy. Some children need more support than others with their learning, but for most young children I believe learning comes naturally while they play, explore, etc.
#KCACOLS
My little one is in the stage at the moment where he’s roll playing the heck out of everything! This Christmas he’s going to be a doctor and a fireman and a nurse 😀 #KCACOLS
Couldn’t agree more! It concerns me how schools are pushing children to learn so much faster and younger and younger as the years go by. The ways in which you described are such better ways of learning imo #AnythingGoes