3. Opportunities for communicating and learning
Children are naturally curious and interested in the world around them. They are “hands-on” learners who need to watch, try, touch, investigate, listen, question, explore and generally use all of their senses.
Children benefit when adults pay attention to children’s interests, give them time, space and freedom to play, and respect their curiosity. Overall, children learn best in nurturing relationships with people who care about them and respect their curiosity. Attentive interactions that pay attention to children’s interests and allow them to explore are much more important than expensive equipment or the latest must-have toy.
Watch as Jeremy’s parents support his interest in sticks and puddles.
In your experience, is this kind of exploration by young children encouraged?
If not, can you think of ways to help parents understand the importance of letting children investigate and explore?
In the next video, watch this playful interaction between a mother and son as he has a snack in his highchair. Notice how he communicates and how his mother picks up on what he is “telling her”.
How did the child communicate that he wanted his mother to keep singing?
What do you think makes music an important factor for encouraging communication and learning?
For many children around the world, attending an early childhood program is the first time they have to interact with adults and peers in a large group. The adults who work in these settings have a big responsibility to provide guidance, nurturance and opportunities for learning that support children’s development. In the next set of slides, consider the learning opportunity presented to a toddler by an attentive adult.
In the following video, early childhood educators in First Nations communities in Canada share their ideas about the importance of play in early learning and child care programs.
Do you think the concept that children learn so much through play is widely understood in society?
Creating learning opportunities for all children in early years programs requires careful consideration, observation and planning. Watch the following slide show to see some examples of children playing and learning. As you watch, think about the role that adults have had in supporting children’s play.
In the next pages, various aspects that can support and foster children’s learning are explored, including:
- guiding and teaching,
- planning environments for learning, and
- creating curriculum frameworks
Strategies and tools to support learning are relevant for parents, educators, health care providers and others involved with young children.
