Look.... we can jump
August 23rd 2017
When they weretrying to get down..
Viren: I can't jump
Teacher: Can wethink of a way to get down?
Viren: Can u holdmy hand.
Teacher: Can wethink of any other way to get down?
Rudro: I have a idea. Wecan first sit down andthen jump.
It was noticed that agroup of children were climbing thejungle gym in thesandpit and trying to jump down.
Viren, Rudro and Saisha climbedup but Mischa was standing down and giving instructions on how to climb.
Viren: Mischacan you also climb?
Mischa: No I can't
Rudro: Its so much fun.
Viren decidedto try Rudro’s ideaand it gavehim asenseof achievement when it worked. . Hetriedagain and climbed onto a higherpart of thejunglegym.
Viren: Miss Iclimbedeven higher
Teacher: I seethat.... How do you think you can get down now?
Viren: I will sit down andjump.
Teacher’s analysis
What does it tell us about thechildren’s self-identity as a part of thegroup andindividually too?How havethey movedfrom the initial comfort of an adult getting involved in theirplay, moving towards trying new, risky equipment -with peers using problem-solving techniques to work out thedifferent ways they can takecareof themselves. Does this indicate thebuilding of respectful relationships during play, listening to ideas andsharing theirneeds?
Moving forward
How can weprovide different opportunities for children to collaborateduring play which includes risky play andbuilding on thechildren’s gross motorskills?How will children approach new situations which involves problem-solving andsharing?
Climbing a tree
August 30th 2017
The children havebeen gaining confidence in trying out new things in the environment and even thinking about climbing atree! Viren was keenly observing thepalm tree andwas wondering how hecould climb thetall palm tree in theoutdoors.
Teacher: Viren, What areyou thinking about?
Viren: I want to climb thetree.
Teacher: How do you think you can climb this tree?
Viren: You holdmy handand Iwill climb.
Teacher: Hmm that sounds like agood idea, you want to try it?
Viren: I am ableto climb thetree(excitedly)
Wedidnoticedthat otherchildren also got excitedandwantedto climb thetree
Teacher: I wonder if thereareotherways to climb a tree.
Rudro: Wehaveto holdthetreewith both ourhands and climb. ( demonstrates by holding his hands together)
Teacher: Mischa Iwonderwhat you arethinking about?
Misha: Wecan climb atree, but first you haveto pluck all thecoconuts, thetreewill fall down andthen wecan climb!
Viren: I want to climb to thetop becauseIwant to seethemouth of the tree
Sara: Mujebeclimb karnahi.
Saisha: Ialso want to climb
The children were engagedwith this conversation forover 20 minutes anddiscussedabout the different theories they had.
Teacher Analysis
The children continueto demonstratedispositions of curiosity, problem- solving, thinking and communication. They aregetting increasingly confident in steering their own learning. Wewould liketo visit their ideas andtheories again andsee if wecan weave in rich languageandliteracy opportunities so they can sharethesamewith others.
Analysis of learning
From these observations wenotethefollowing:
Learning Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
Children learn to bemoreopen to thechallengeof discovering andtrying new experiences andactivities in thenatural environment
Learning Outcome 2: Children are connected to and contribute to their world
Children become more awareof anddemonstratean increasing knowledgeof thenatural worldby learning through play and repeated exposureto different natural elements
Learning Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
Children manipulatevarious tools with increasing competenceand develop both gross and finemotorskills whilst engaging in outdoorplay activities andshow enthusiasm for participating in physical play.
Learning Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
Children useplay to investigate, imagineand explore ideas relating to theoutdoorand natural environment.