Telling the Story of Learning and Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Moments

Capturing Learning

Throughout the day we capture children in moments of learning. We often illustrate these moments and the circumstances surrounding them through photographs and descriptions. These 'learning stories' are included in the children's documentation binders as evidence of their learning and give us pause to consider the next steps in the learning process that the children will take.

Enjoy some of the learning stories we've captured throughout the year.

Learning Stories

The role of 'play' in kindergarten is the most important part of the day. It is the one part of the kindergarten program in which the children do the most learning. The children carry their natural curiosity, energy, interest and wonder into their play... and the teacher brings along just the right amount of support to make that play a rich learning experience.

Then the two match up in just the right way...Voila! A learning story!

"Tell me the story of your block structure."  

"Will you draw a plan of your structure, or a map of where you are travelling to?"

Sticks and twigs that scatter a teacher's yard offer a perfect invitation to the sand table. 

A book from the book shelf introduces an idea and the learning takes off!

"Hmmm... I know that fashion designers sketch and draw out their designs. Then they choose their fabrics and make the clothes. There are so many details!"

"It sounds like you're in the movie! Let's make a performance. Let's see now...what will we need?"

"Zoos make sure that animals are safe and can live as though they were in their natural habitat. You have to have very special training to work with the animals in a zoo."

"What do you think a zoo keeper needs to know about the different animals?"

"Where will the windows go?"

"We can build the tower on the ground, then we can all lift it together...very slowly, very carefully...then attach it."

"Hmmm...I wonder how the 'watcher guys' will get from the floor to their 'watcher' post?"

"What do you think will happen if we place the grass pieces there?"

"It's the forest and the guys have to go up and go over the bridge." 

"Trees can grow on mountains."

"This is the Harry Potter forest!"

Tubing becomes towers and tunnels and a town takes over.

"I think about a town and I see signs. Some buildings have names on them."

Small block play. 

We decided to bring the small natural wood blocks over to the baskets with train tracks to see what would happen.

The children added in animals and grass mats.

When children play, they involve their whole body and all of their senses. 
Learning through play is a whole child experience!

Learning Stories

A little learning about 'Learning Stories'.

Often, when you see photo's, children's drawings and printing, and teacher's input displayed throughout the wonderful world of kindergarten you are seeing learning stories. Learning stories are just like every story.  There is a beginning, middle and ending. The main characters are the children, and the events happen right before our eyes! The children always begin these stories on their own, and the stories have the happiest endings. Something great happens! Something new for every child! A new concept, a new discovery, a new connection, something they had never known before. And we capture these learning moments and tell them in a story.

We observe children deeply involved in their play. Sometimes we have to bite our tongues or sit on our hands so that we give children the freedom to come to their own discovery. 

Given this opportunity, we witness the children take their learning to a whole new level!

We may talk with the children to understand their thinking. We sometimes wonder aloud in curiosity and have a conversation to support their learning. 

Together we record the story of what they have learned. 

Occasionally we engage in conversation to help with problem-solving using questions and comments like, "Hmmm... why do you think ... ?" 

"What do you think you can do when...?"  

"Is there something you can use that... ?"  

"I notice that... "

But mostly, we don't want to interrupt the children's thinking. And many times, they aren't done with their thinking and let everyone know!

Observing these learning moments and making the learning stories lets us know what the children know... 

... And what materials and activities to make available in the wonderful world of kindergarten so the children can continue to learn, using and doing the things that they are interested in.