Most recent
– My view/experience of practice at the end of my most recent period of training –
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I enjoy investigating, discovering and learning with the children. I love creating new spaces where the children can explore their curiosities and be creative. I am passionate about fostering their creativity and in doing so I can also use my own creativity - everyday is different!
My role is to inspire and motivate young children to explore their curiosities in a nurturing learning environment. However, as a result of my training, I would now view my role to include inspiring other professionals to implement Froebelian principles and to essentially embark on their own Froebel journeys.
My training allowed me to consider the practice of slow pedagogy and to realise the importance of the 'unhurried child'. I adopt this approach in my everyday practice with the children with a child initiated learning environment. I have become very conscious about taking the children away from their play to fulfil adult agendas. I now place great importance and time on observing the children's interactions with each other and with the learning environment. I use the children's interests to inform my planning and to create a responsive learning environment. I was very much on this journey prior to my training but I now feel empowered and liberated to explore such practices everyday.
I adapt my procedures daily in order to create a more child-centred approach to teaching and learning. I have realised that the balance of adult initiated and child initiated learning can shift each day. As a result of my new understanding, I now plan the environment, materials and procedures by responding to the children's interactions as the play. I now trust my personal judgement and embrace what the children's interactions are communicating instead of allowing external factors to dictate the daily procedures within the learning environment.
I have created a listening culture within the environment which values each child's voice. When children are not able to articulate their thoughts I use my observations to help shape the structures and rhythms within the learning environment. I have creative a responsive learning environment which can be, and is, enhanced to support the children's interests and needs.
I very much believe that we should value children as autonomous learners and recognise their efforts. We will understand and 'see' each child in our care by allowing them to lead their own learning. My role is to provide children with the freedom to explore with guidance, to know when to interact and to notice.
I hope to learn more about slow pedagogy from others so I am able to strengthen my practice within this area. I would like to be able to articulate the importance of adopting this approach for the benefit of our children.
I value the autonomy to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the children in my care. I am very fortunate to have autonomy and mutual trust from the relationships I have developed over time. Relationships between all stakeholders matter. I value the importance of working with all family members and colleagues to develop a shared vision for our children.