Let's Play Observation

• the introduction of making childrens into storytelling through using their own experiences, and lastly,

Did you know that play expands a child’s learning and development? Once parents understand that play is crucial in their child’s life then they can begin to help their son or daughter be the best he or she can be. According to Lev Vygotsky “play shapes how children make sense of their worlds, how they learn thinking skills, and how they acquire language.” After spending time at the Bombeck Center I learned that children play in many diverse ways, thus learning numerous new things within each center in which they interact. Lev Vygotsky along with Jean Piaget researched the need for guided social interaction as well as the necessity for spontaneous, self-discovered learning. The Bombeck Center focuses on a play-based learning curriculum to ensure a child’s ability to access social interactions and self-discoveries at the tip of their fingers.

“Current theories about inclusive play revolve around the idea that play is important for life and that all play workers should be committed to creating play environments that are inclusive and that offer multi-sensory experiences for all children. Play environments should ensure children and young people can become involved in imaginary play and can help develop motor activity. They should also allow interaction in a safe environment. Play is seen as the language that can bring children of all different abilities together. All children and young people have the same basic needs and go through the same development stages, even though they may not all go through them at the same pace: some go through some stages more quickly than most, while others may become static in their development for a while. None of this should prevent access to any setting. Through play with other children they develop social skills and learn about behaviour, communication and friendship. Play is the tool for practical learning

The entire building was split into two classrooms. Based on my observation I assumed that they were split into age groups. Overall, the room and the outside area where my observations took place were nicely organized and family-friendly. The classroom was divided into two sections with different floor types; a wooden floor and a carpet floor. The wooden floor side of the room had multiple designated areas. The biggest area was an eating area which is where the children could have lunch on chairs and tables adjusted to their size. Another area was where the children could wash their hands, this part of the room consist of paper towels, soaps, mirrors, and a sink. To the left of the sink there was a first aid kit with a fire extinguisher. To the right of the sink there was the restroom door, the restroom consisted of multiple toilets next to each other. The restroom also connected to the other classroom. The wooden floor side also had backpack/jacket hangers for the kids along with

As teachers, many times we become stuck in our silos and feel alone and having to fend for ourselves. As the years go on we develop our routines and tend to deviate from our norms less and less frequently. Why fix what’s not broken, right?

Kindergarten classroom of 25 students they all sit at tables that will hold up to six students, however I have them sitting 5 to a table for ease of grouping. Each table is a team labeled by a color, a large construction paper crayon hangs from the ceiling above each table, and they have matching crayon nametags on their desks. There is a Smart Board at the front of the classroom as well as a white board. My desk is at the front of the room to the right of the white board. Different centers are located around the room such as the art center, the math center, the reading tree is in the opposite corner from my desk. The room also has a single restroom and a sink and water fountain outside of the restroom. We also have circle area to the left of the reading corner

Materials and manipulatives are spread along the outside walls of the classroom and children are free to choose which type of materials they would like to work with during independent work time. You do not notice any individual desks and chairs set up in the classroom, rather a few tables and chairs grouped together. The furniture is all child size and you do not see any adult sized furniture throughout the classroom.

When learning becomes fun the teachers find it less challenging for trying to keep the child engaged in the activity at hand. The job of the educator working with a play-based curriculum is to facilitate play, to draw out and extend what children learn through play (Play Based Programmes, 2015). Children have a variety of play spaces available that mimic their regular world around them, each space can be intertwined with another centre such as combining the truck centre with the block centre, or adding in some zoo animals to the area. The play based approach can be used by children of all abilities, it allows children to play independently or as a small group, and allows the children the opportunity to bring their home life into their play.

The room was a small room. It had a table on one side with 8 chairs stacked together. The middle of the room was empty with toy bins around the side and back wall. On the back wall there was a little kitchen set with a shopping cart. On the other side there was cubbies for the children, a door to go outside to the playground, a 4-door closet, and a counter that was used for changing diapers. The toys were building blocks, legos, books, cars, dolls, and items that went with the kitchen.

Lanza’s classroom, one is immediately facing her desk, which is positioned in front of the windows on the opposite wall of the classroom directly across from the door. Whiteboards and bulletin boards, as well as a “Smart Board,” cover the span of the wall between the door to the hallway and Mrs. Lanza’s desk, and to the right of her desk is an instructional station comprised of two trapezoid tables pushed together with four chairs placed around it. A ledge spans in a “U” shape around the classroom, from the corner where Mrs. Lanza’s desk sits to the opposite wall. A bookcase rests on top of the ledge at the back of the classroom, and a cart containing laptops and chargers is found in the back of the classroom in front of the ledge. Two cabinets containing various classroom supplies are found on the wall opposite Mrs. Lanza’s desk. There are four clusters of student desks in the middle of the classroom. Three of the clusters contains six student desks, with the fourth containing seven. Each cluster is two desks wide by three desks long, with the fourth group having an additional desk stationed at the “head” of the cluster in the center of the two columns. A rough model of Mrs. Lanza’s classroom is as

Today I analyzed the interactions between Mrs. M and Mrs. Maya. When they needed to inform each other about a student, they tended to communicate in Spanish and don’t tend to name the child. They also spoke about their personal lives. For example, their children and family, as well as activities they had done during the weekend. I have also notice, and found amusing that when one gets an idea, which eventually turns into a lesson for the children, they go with the flow and support each other. For instance, Mrs. M found a sweater randomly on the floor, she picked it up and loudly asked “Mrs. Maya, is this your sweater, I found it on the floor, and if it’s not yours I think I might take it home”. Mrs. Maya, responded, “No Mrs. M, it’s not mine, but if it was on the floor, you should take it”. All of the children looked up at Mrs. M who was holding the sweater up high, suddenly the owner of the sweater rushed to get it and shoved it in her cubby.

There are numerous theories of play and countless theorists, from Freud and Spencer to Piaget and Vygotsky, who have studied play in relation to what it is and what it does for the child. This essay will outline the definition and value of play and the importance of how it can foster the child’s learning in regards to these theorists who studied the effects in great detail. It will discuss the how the environments constructed by educators can impact play and the theories of learning relating to the quote “play and learning are inextricably woven together ...” Ebbeck and Waniganayake, 2010, p. 5).

Play Education is the most important activity in the lives of children. Play is the foundation of learning for young children. For children play, is how they begin to understand and process their world? The best part for children is that play is fun and this keeps them always wanting more because they enjoy participating in it. Play education is for children up until age 12. And different ages are broken down into groups. Giving the child time and some few basic toys can provide them with a variety of valuable learning opportunities. It is important to let children explore and learn how to play, if the child can’t seem to figure it out then a person can guide them. Play Education is simple and very effective; this is an individual

Inside of the classroom there was a different objective I observed such as three calendars, three tables, a cabinet, 15 pack backs on the shelves and glitter. There were 2 flags, four plants and children sitting and lunch set. There were wood blocks, children pictures, pencil and crayons. There was hand paint, one clock and three rugs. There was three teachers and one with it an apron on.

The classroom is organized so that the student’s stuff and the teacher’s stuff should not cross paths. The students keep their materials in their cubbies at one end of the room, their pencil boxes at their seats, and their book boxes on the floor. The teacher’s stuff is located on her desk, and the back table where small group stuff gets done. The classroom setting is definitely positive and interesting because it has a minion theme. Children in that age range love minions most of the time and