05/31/2024
From Zen reader and amazing EC professional that I can’t wait to meet in-person some day, Shirley Devuono Rempel:
Free play or child led or play based programming does not mean there is no structure, no routine, or no adult expectations. Will the room be busy, loud, messy at times, and even chaotic at times? Yes, because we work with children, and honestly, it would be weird if a room of children were always sitting still and quiet.
What this means is that educators follow the children's leads and needs and facilitate the play by giving the children the time, materials, and space to fully participate as they want and need. This is directly from the Alberta Flight Framework, taught in Alberta ELCC programs, and by almost all of the ELCC coaching programs out there.
Educators set up the environment based on relationships they have with the children, based on both conversations with children and parents, and based on observations the educator has through the day. That is what the educator controls.
The children control what to play with, how to play, with whom to play or not, and for how long to play.
If you have any questions about this ask here, check out the Flight Framework online (there is a PDF of the framework, get it printed and bound at Staples for about $40 or, you can purchae a physical copy through the MacEwan bookstore) and if you havent already done these, register for Possibilities for Practice, Supporting Curriculum Practice or the MacEwan Flight Course.
Please remember this is best practice and its part of our jobs to be practicing current methods of pedagogy as thats what is best for the children and truly honors them. This is what this group advocates for. Always.
