Beginnings
– How I view my practice at the start of my current training –
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The fact that everyday is different and no two days are the same. You can learn about life and the world from a whole new perspective and challenge your own thinking. Young children see wonder everywhere they go and it brings happiness and positivity to be around them. You are proud of them as they grow and develop and watch them become curious and creativity individuals- it is a pleasure to witness.
I am a class teacher in a large school in Edinburgh. I teach in a large P1 cohort with a fantastic team who are all engaged and supportive of play.
In play. Everyday.
I try hard to balance the expectations of school life and still make time to play. It is vital to take an active role in the play that happens in the classroom in order to understand where children are, how to extend their understanding, develop new experiences for them and listen to their interests, wants and needs.
We use lots of open ended materials to support creative and curious play. We have an open plan environment which can allow children to have freedom of movement and choice about where and how they spend their day. We try hard to find moments in the school day (which can be very rigid and structured beyond our control) to give the children choice and a say in what they do and how they do it.
We work hard to listen to children and give them time and space to share their interests. We ask children regularly about ideas they have for the different play experiences set up in the room as well as the chance to tell us what they have liked/ disliked and why. We try hard to respond to the needs of all learners and structure the day around what works best for them as much as possible.
From doing my Froebel in Childhood practise course in another setting it has changed everything about how I teach. It was life changing in how I structure my day, give choice and challenge as well as add in pupil voice. I was pleased about how much of Froebel's values resonate with my own and glad to find a network of other professions who share in this. Sometimes in the wrong setting, school or environment it can feel isolating having these ideas and values and no-one who shares, believes in them or appreciates them to work alongside. I am glad that I have found a setting and colleagues who share my values now and I am please to see the difference it makes to my own practise and happiness but also the children.
Social justice has an impact on everyday school life. Making sure that all your learners are cared for and have everything they need to be happy and successful is the first thing to do in order to make any impact on learning.
I hope to find strength and courage to challenge current practises and make positive change. I think it is easy to get stuck in a routine of doing things the same way and it becomes easier. This does not always mean it is for the better. Sometimes we need to shake things up to make a difference. I hope to find my own voice to be able to advocate for change for my learners.
Community. Standing together with colleagues, parents, and children to have the same shared values and goals makes all the difference.