I picked this question because in my opinion play is a very important part in a child’s development overall. It helps little a one gain creativity and problem solving abilities. Play is a fun part and also a critical part of a child’s learning.
Resources:
1. Children learn through play
Children Learn Through Play
evidence: Play is essential for young kids, helping them learn and discover the world around them.
2. The power of playful learning in the early childhood setting
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/summer2022/power-playful-learning
evidence: Play and learning support each other, with various play types enhancing children’s development and engagement more than traditional methods.
Arts and crafts!
1. Numbered cup towers
https://pin.it/3ER7m0lv6
supplies:
– Paper cups
– felts
– paper
2. Sorting sounds with photos
https://pin.it/vVPmMvuX2
Supplies:
– bowls/cups
-photos
3. Bunny hands
https://pin.it/5sdgA8e0R
supplies:
– coloured paper
– markers
REFLECTION #1
My little buddy is named Prosper. He is very energetic. He plays hockey and loves soccer. On our first and most recent visit, we made little paper pumpkins. Prosper likes being independent. We used a pin and put the orange strips of paper into a round shape. We then took a walk outside and looked for leaves to decorate the pumpkin with. My little buddy loves to do things on his own. He sometimes has a hard time following instructions and listening. He cannot wait and just wants to start the project. Prosper was very eager to work. There was a hiccup when we realized our pin was too small. Prosper took it into his own hands and tried to find a solution. He wasn’t able to, so we ended up grabbing a new, bigger pin and finished our project. He was proud of his art. We said goodbye, and he ran outside for his lunchtime.
In order to produce leaf-like effects on the tree branches we painted for Prospers Tree Painting, we used paint and broccoli. We spent some time outside searching for interesting leaves for the leaf project. Once we returned to class, we used the leaves to make an animal on the paper. Prosper wanted to turn the leaves like a panther. Prosper was looking forward to the leaf art project and couldn’t wait to gather leaves and create his panther. In addition to being thrilled about the trees, he wanted to know why we were using broccoli for our painting project. Prosper prefers independence and required minimal assistance with the painting piece itself, but he did require some assistance maintaining attention. When Prosper wasn’t listening, I tried to be gentle, but it didn’t work. I had to speak loudly and firmly to get him to focus, and he listened. I doubt that I would alter my approach to tasking in order to succeed. I remain composed and make an effort to comprehend his feelings. I gave Prosper a time limit and reminded him repeatedly of how long we had left in order to keep him focused while we were outdoors gathering leaves. I also instructed him to pick 15 leaves rather than merely picking leaves at random. This kept us on schedule and on course. We played a lot throughout these meetings, and I believe they led to a lot of new knowledge, such as time management and productivity. Overall, I had a great time with Prosper and am looking forward to work with him again.
REFLECTION #3
During these last two visits, Prosper and I made yarn ornaments by wrapping yarn around a circular piece of cardboard and a Christmas wreath by folding papers around a paper plate. I discovered that during our sessions, Prosper was occasionally quite engaged and at other times not at all. He would either want me to handle everything or he would want to take over and handle everything himself. No middle ground. I’ve discovered that if I’m not direct with Prosper, he won’t listen. I try not to panic because I want him to perceive me as someone, he can be himself with and I don’t want to frighten him. I saw two different kinds of play from prosper: social play and motor play. He has a lot of energy and enjoys jumping and running, in my opinion. He is constantly running about and crawling on the ground. Prosper is an extremely outgoing child who enjoys playing with other kids. While working and playing, he enjoys conversing with his many acquaintances. Prosper, in my opinion, demonstrates to me how play contributes to a child’s development by teaching them social skills, motor skills (physical play), and numerous other crucial abilities. Since I’ve known him, I believe Prosper has already developed significantly. He can be more open and honest with me because he feels more at ease with me. Because I now understand how he works and how to support him in finishing his tasks, he can also concentrate better and for longer periods of time.
final project (podcast):
https://share.icloud.com/photos/066UnKMAnDx1-mfPQjJzWLaLg
