Category: Early Learning
Articles on early childhood education
How to support children’s learning at home, through play
With more early childhood centres being closed around the world due to Covid-19, many parents are suddenly finding themselves in a ‘home-schooling’ situation. This sounds simple in theory, but the reality can be quite daunting. We want to help families navigate this, so our Education Team here at Storypark ‘virtually’ got together this week to provide some guidance and support...
Learning at home – Music, creativity, loose parts & quiet time
These ideas from our education team will help get your children’s creativity flowing as well as some suggestions for relaxing, quieter experiences. Musical ideas Game: Statues, musical chairs or cushions Sing your welcome song together that you would sing at your early learning centre Make your own musical instruments and create a song Clap and stamp to the beat Make...
Outdoor learning: Outdoor adventures & using our senses
Some of the best learning can take place outdoors. We put together some ideas of activities you can do with your children that will help them use their senses and connect with nature. Outdoor adventures Gardening Discovering bugs – take photos and research them online Leaf and natural resource collection Vegetable or food garden, care for and record growth (track...
Learning at home – Literacy, math and science
It is a common misconception that children don’t learn math, science, language or literacy until they start at school. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Children practice and develop the foundations for these skills when they are very young, and the good news is, you don’t need any specific resources or activities to support this learning at home....
Learning at home – Fine and gross motor skills & problem solving
Looking for ideas that support children’s development of motor skills and problem-solving in your home environment? You don’t need fancy equipment or resources to do this, you will be surprised to learn that most of these ideas can be offered with minimal preparation. Ideas for gross motor skill development Throwing and or kicking balls in a bucket, hula hoop or...
Encouraging a Sense of Wonder while Keeping our Distance: This is the Time to Connect to Nature
During this global pandemic crisis, staying connected is a challenge. With so many of us being asked to socially isolate – to keep our distance, we look to new technologies to maintain relationships. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to stay connected. I recently wrote a blog post, Early Childhood Education: Making Sense of our Life’s Course,...
Coronavirus – Strategies and Resources for Educators
Times of stress are difficult for children, parents, educators and business owners/operators. It’s important that we stay connected and care for each other as best we can during this time, especially supporting those isolated by COVID19. The strength of relationships and community will be a big influence in supporting people’s mental and physical health in the weeks/months ahead and ensure...
You do not fit the child into the theory
The word theory has its roots in ancient Greek, basically meaning a view, a notion or contemplation. In the domain of early childhood education, theories are the overarching ideas that influence our pedagogical practices, and each theory or theorist has a perspective that has generally evolved over long periods of time. Iterative in nature, theories are often contributed to and...
Leading Children in Practicing Citizenship
A teacher’s governing role serves as the foundation of their student’s experimental learning in the room. Styles can range from traditional authority, which is about obeying and not questioning rules. It can be adult-driven rather than child-centred. Democratic leadership involves participation, respects its students’ opinions, increases cooperation and gives instruction only after consulting with the group. You may find that...
Documentation and the image of the child through a Reggio lens
When the term documentation is discussed amongst early childhood educators there is often a feeling of fear…a pause in time where professionals stop and hold their breath, the angst of the topic written clearly all over their face. What feeds this feeling in professionals and can we find some grounding through exploring the Reggio way of documentation? Looking abroad The...