LATEST STORIES
Spontaneous play at BestStart Katikati
My name is Sarah and I work at BestStart KatiKati, here is my first attempt at a blog which highlights the benefits of spontaneous play and what learning evolves from imagination.
Spontaneous play within the Early Childhood sector is described as... when children interact with their environment, resources and people around them without the planning or intervention of an adult. Children decide for themselves how and when the play will occur and make decisions about how play will evolve.
This particular day the environment was set up with blocks, hula hoops and steering wheels. These were positioned throughout the outside area with no real purpose in mind other than to ignite and foster the imagination of the children and to see where their play would take them.
Noah, Dusty and Logan together arrived at the idea to make a vehicle, each having their own purpose. Together they gathered the blocks together and with not too much conversation they constructed a vehicle. Noah and Dusty sourced the Hula Hoop and Steering wheel and positioned these to where they wanted them. Logan made his part of the vehicle using only the blocks – putting detail in the handle bars and foot rests.
During this experience many learning opportunities were happening. The tamariki were able to work together as a threesome, building on each others ideas and vocalising if something needed to be adapted or worked on further. This experience allowed for the tamariki to use each others strengths for the groups desired outcome. I was able to observe and support the tamariki when needed, or when I felt was appropriate. By posing questions and scenarios I was engaging their imagination without taking away from what was already happening within the play ensuring it was still child led.
Throughout this experience the tamariki were able to engage in diverse areas of play, the deep learning that was observed here was seen not only in the relationships with each other but the relationships and connection that they had with the wider world. The tamariki were developing skills which will help to continue their growth as life long learners.