Past Preschool Manager, Lesley O'Brien describes a day in the life of our Preschool. Today, I was invited into the Home Corner for coffee and playdough cakes. The children put sugar in my cup (glitter, I think!) and charged me four pennies (pegs from the button board). I learned three new ballet moves, before being whisked away to feed the birds and play Mr Wolf in the garden. In between all this,
we completed a 24-piece alphabet puzzle and sounded out the letters of our names, played some musical instruments in time to our favourite music, and constructed a bridge out of the large wooden bricks, to see if any of the vehicles would fit through. During play, children learn at their highest level, but for this to be achieved there needs to be quality and spontaneity. It takes time and sensitivity to 'tune in' to our children, to wallow in their play, alongside them. Our focus is not so much about teaching as 'enabling', which gives us a connection with our children that is respectful and sincere. We want to ensure that they are happy, secure, self-confident, charismatic individuals, who are developing their skills for life, which are the foundations for their present and future successes. Back to tea in the Home Corner, impromptu ballet classes and chasing Mr Wolf ... none of this play and learning was my idea. All of which reminds me that being invited into children's play is a real privilege as well as a learning tool that enables and informs our daily practice - putting the fun in learning!
