The importance of Play

Learning Goal:
By the end of 2016 I would like to have a good understanding of Innoative Learning so that it is part of my daily practice.
By the end of Term 1 I will have established daily learning practice involving developmental play.

Inquiry:
what is happening: I have been observing how many students, especially target students have battled to slot into the formal education system. They arrive on day one enthusiastic about school, however after a few days are reluctant and tearful to join in. I have been researching how New Entrants work and what happens in early Childhood centres. Having an early childhood degree has helped me greatly in this process. I have been researching the inclusion of play in the classroom.

Core Research Play in Schools- see my documents
TV 1 at 8:30: Secret life of Four year Olds; a research project around learning through play, run by a group of Educational Psychologists. They spoke about what children learn at 4/5 becomes the blueprint for adult life. It is the first time that they will be having this much contact with their peers.They need words to say what they want and need. Rules are very important to girls. Boys just want to win. Boys don`t always have words yetto defend themselves. They learn to share resources and finally ideas- this is developmental. There is a thin line between assertion and aggression, and children are learning the boundaries. They seek advice mainly from teachers/adults. By 6 boys language should have equaled female peers. They learn to interact with each other and realise that others have feelings too.

I have started this year by setting up the classroom in a less formal way. Familiar, non threatening activites such as contruction, painting, drawing, iPads are provided to the students from the moment they enter the class.

09/03/2016
So how does the day work? The class is set up with a variety of activities covering construction, fine-motor tasks, scientific discovery, technology tasks, creative tasks, imaginative play. A set of activities are set up and kept available for the week, or as long as their interest is kept. I have found that this way they can develop ideas and build on previous experiences. Children arrive to a set up classroom. Once the children arrive they can immediately get involved in activities. Initially I was concerned that parents would stay beyond the bell and become too involved in their children, however, with the children so engrossed, parents leave sooner and are happy because their children are so engaged in their environment. Once the bell has rung, children gather to the mat so that we can do the roll and prayer. We all then join in a 15 minute fitness session of Go Noodle, where the special helpers get to each choose a fitness activity. After this children then return to set up activities and continue to work here until the teacher plays a set song that calls all to the mat for Maths. Children are then called to the mat for their Maths group while others are actively engaged. After morning tea, all children are gathered on the mat for shared reading. They have must do and can do activities. All are encouraged to complete must do activities first. Writing groups are called to me on the mat when it is their turn.

So what are the benefits?
-I have had no tears from any child starting school.
-Children are happy to come to school and are engaged in what interests them.
-Good peer co-operation.
-respectful relationships
-no frustration, so no anger from the children.
-children are relaxed and willing to take risks and try new things
-increased oral language
-increased imagination
-problem solving increased
In fact there are so many benefits that I could just keep on writing.

Limitations:
I initially was not sure how I would maintain their interest daily over a length of time, but I think I have worked this out now, as mentioned above.
I find the concept coverage limiting, when the students have so many different things they would like to learn about, however they do not fit in with the concept being covered. Ideally, I would like to delve into the subjects that tweak their curiosity- such as the "Northern Lights", "Mummies", "worm houses", "life-cycle of the butterfly". I will be doing research as to how teachers in a similar environment cater for this.