Let's Play: Snapshots from Our Classrooms I
Circle Time reached out to them to share their reflections on these play experiences in their classrooms.
This is Part I of the Let's Play series.
Play is constantly happening in our classrooms, whether they might be an intentional teacher-guided activity or a child-led experience born from the curiosity and creativity of their young minds.
There's no better way to start our first Voices article here on Circle Time than by celebrating the play experiences our graduates have been providing the children under their care!
Xiu Wen, Cohort 2
In her early childhood work, Xiu Wen is passionate about anti-bias education and how it can be used as an approach for the learning and development of all children. She has led discussions in her Centre about how to promote children's appreciation for diversity, confidence in their identities and sense of justice through play and everyday interactions.
It is no surprise that the play experience she shared ab0ut was centred around appreciation for different cultures!
What struck you about this play experience that prompted you to share it?
When we plan for cultural learning, we often think of stories and cookeries that we can engage in with the children. I thought play, using folk games could be a fun and different way to go about it. The children enjoyed themselves and asked important questions about the folk games and cultures we explored!
I believe the folk games have a place in our multi-cultural local context to support the children’s appreciation for diversity through fun-filled experiences.
What did you enjoy about watching the children engage in this way?
The children and I noticed that some of the folk games we played were similar to the childhood games we play here. This observation was significant in having the children understand that though people from different countries can be very different, we can also be similar in many ways. The way we play and enjoy ourselves, in this instance, can be universal!
What take-away from SUSS did you apply when planning, then reflecting on, this play experience?
At SUSS, we discussed extensively about purposeful play. This is play that has some element of planning involved, with learning objectives, while remaining enjoyable and meaningful for children. This was the lens I took on when developing and engaging the children in this play experience.
Hui Zhen, Cohort 2
Hui Zhen's favourite picture book is The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds - a story that focuses on the impactful influence of a teacher in building a child's confidence in expressing themselves through the visual arts. She is passionate about encouraging and affirming every child's individual expression and supporting them in reaching their full potential.
With her own interests in illustration and art, it certainly explains why her chosen play experience to share was about chalk play with her children!
What struck you about this play experience that prompted you to share it?
This chalk experience was actually inspired from another teacher. While it might be a simple activity but it promotes two main domains - fine and gross motor skills, and aesthetics for creative expression (ACE).
What did you enjoy about watching the children engage in this way?
The children were actually building on each other’s interest and knowledge of play/drawing and it’s super fun to observe what they can do and learn from each other.
For example, when I started off modelling what it looked like to build on each other’s ideas, I noticed a boy drew a line out from my circle. So I said, "Hey I think I can add some more lines!" And the kids followed along to draw more lines with me. Eventually I shared that I see a sun and the kids were super excited and amazed!!?? Some of them decided to jump inside the circle on their own accord and I let them be.
What take-away from SUSS did you apply when planning, then reflecting on, this play experience?
Active observation of what the children are doing offers us opportunities to extend their thinking and creativity.
Thank you Xiu Wen & Huizhen for sharing your insights with us! We are excited to add to this series as more of our educators share their reflections.
