In our 0-3 classes there is an immense amount of growth and development that happens. Many of the things they are learning today may only be exhibited or shown in their future behaviors. Our main job for them as their guides is to support them by observing all these tiny actions. We see that they learn in just about any moment of the day. By focusing on the process rather than the result we support them in making their learning process more enjoyable.
When your little children can’t tell you exactly what happens each day, you will observe their behaviors that can reveal how they are growing and learning. For example, maybe at home you are seeing them wanting to help more with chores like tidying up and baking. These are the signs that they are blossoming in our classrooms. We also encourage you at home to let them collaborate in any way possible, be it sweeping up small spills or helping to make meals for the family.
Much of what develops in the first three years of life are the seeds of their personality, with traits that will continue for the rest of their lives. They are just starting to discover who they are as separate from their parents. Part of helping them separate and be independent is also respecting them having their own time and space to themselves.
One of the ways that we, as the guides, really help the children with being connected to what they’re doing is by really seeing what they are doing. Our presence helps them be more present and not let anything distract us. We also encourage all of the parents to come and observe our classrooms when the time comes. This way you can see the reality of what is happening every day in our classrooms. Remember, a plant doesn’t grow before your eyes. You water it and, all of a sudden, after time passes you see that it has grown.
We recommend this podcast to the whole school. It is all about the importance of play and how it is a good opportunity for children to learn to solve problems on their own: TED Radio Hour on Apple Podcasts.