With summer in the air, children’s interests have shifted to endless discussions of what the season has to offer. They question its differences, observe its changes, and view all it has to offer through a lens of wonder and curiosity.
During a spring walk, children noticed a ragged scarecrow, flagging gently in a garden from the previous year. “What’s that?” a toddler asks, as she points. A preschool child answers “that’s a straw man, he’s not real; he keeps the garden safe from big hungry birds.”
During a spring walk, children noticed a ragged scarecrow, flagging gently in a garden from the previous year. “What’s that?” a toddler asks, as she points. A preschool child answers “that’s a straw man, he’s not real; he keeps the garden safe from big hungry birds.”
A child chimes in, “I have a garden at my house. We grow crunchy cucumbers!” As the early childhood educator reflects on the children’s interests, she wonders if the children would want to plant a garden. When she shares her thoughts with the children, their enthusiasm about the possibility grow.
Through observations, listening, relationships with children, their families and their community, documentation and reflection, early childhood educators follow children’s lead and support their new interests and learning.
As we plant our garden, we will learn numeracy and literacy concepts as we measure and chart plant growth; record observations in our log books; visit our resource centres; measure water catchers, plan for and maintain our bird feeders; explore new books; use our imaginations as we dress up in our gardening clothes; learn how to use our gardening tools; learn about healthy choices through the Canada Food Guide; explore science tables, sensory bins, and garden art; observe glass-fronted ant farms; water and weed our garden; use bins for recyclables and composting; explore photography; document through art and words our planting, and so much more…
All of these possibilities started from a recent walk in our community…oh, the fun we will have as we explore and learn together through play so many new ideas and concepts!
For information on Daycare Assistance call 1-866-426-5191.
By Karen Lindsay, East Coast Kids Child Care and Learning Centre
Through observations, listening, relationships with children, their families and their community, documentation and reflection, early childhood educators follow children’s lead and support their new interests and learning.
As we plant our garden, we will learn numeracy and literacy concepts as we measure and chart plant growth; record observations in our log books; visit our resource centres; measure water catchers, plan for and maintain our bird feeders; explore new books; use our imaginations as we dress up in our gardening clothes; learn how to use our gardening tools; learn about healthy choices through the Canada Food Guide; explore science tables, sensory bins, and garden art; observe glass-fronted ant farms; water and weed our garden; use bins for recyclables and composting; explore photography; document through art and words our planting, and so much more…
All of these possibilities started from a recent walk in our community…oh, the fun we will have as we explore and learn together through play so many new ideas and concepts!
For information on Daycare Assistance call 1-866-426-5191.
By Karen Lindsay, East Coast Kids Child Care and Learning Centre
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