CHAPTER THREE
Learning Experiences Learning experiences are the interactions and experiences in which learning takes place. It’s the moment when something familiar meets curiosity; presenting you with the opportunity to act as a facilitator of children’s learning. Your role in this moment is to respond to and nurture that curiosity in a way that invites investigation. These opportunities for learning occur all day throughout the day. Here are some everyday opportunities for learning experiences: •
Two-year-old Peggy tilts her head up towards the wind as the breeze dances across her face.
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Five-year-old Scott gently holds a tadpole in his hand while fishing with his family.
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Cecilia, a kitchen manager, invites the preschool class to help her pick vegetables from the program’s garden.
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Brian, a program director, sits quietly and observes Kathy, a teacher of two-year-olds. He takes a photo to share with her later.
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Quasha, a three-year-old claps her hands as her friend, Tamara taps the drum in beat.
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6-month-old Donje pumps his legs in excitement when he hears the sound the ball makes when his foot connects with it.
Learning is a process not a product. Learning is a process of building new and deeper understanding about the world and, acquiring and refining skills. (Bickart 1999) Optimal learning experiences promote children’s ability to construct knowledge through exploration and investigation with time to tinker and ponder. They honor and foster children’s interest by engaging them in learning that is active rather than passive. Read the following vignette and notice the process of learning. Anthony and Sherri wanted to begin introducing letters to their class of three-year-olds. They brought in apples of all colors and sizes for snack time. They asked, “Who can tell me what we’re having for snack today?” “Apples” several of the children responded. The teachers sat in small groups with the children and said, “Let’s explore the apples.” They had a rich discussion around the word apple and the sound an A makes, the fact that apples come in different shapes and colors and why that might be. The children cut an apple and described the inside of it which led to a conversation about seeds and textures. Finally, they ate the apples.
TAKE A MINUTE TO REFLECT. As you read about learning experiences — what’s resonating for you?
WYOMING’S COHERENT PATH TO QUALITY Learning Experiences
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