We speak to Lindsay of Explorers Learning Academy about the benefits of an early learning approach for little Highlanders.
The childcare landscape has changed in recent years, thanks to the push on raising the qualifications of educators and an abundance of early childhood research that supports the importance and benefits of an early learning approach for our little ones.
The days of centres being seen as ‘babysitters’ with little or no educational focus are gone.
Now, Early Childhood Education and care services (AKA long day care centres) provide so much more….
“Our focus has always been on early learning, so it’s wonderful to see that in recent years the general perception is changing from seeing us as basic childcare providers, to being early learning educators,” Lindsay, General Manager of Explorers Learning Academy, says.
“Children love to explore and actively learn, and a National, dedicated early learning framework supports that.”
“While providing basic care is important, an early learning focus also provides the child with the skills to become a confident and competent lifelong learner, to be creative and learn through play.”
Well, that makes a lot of sense!
So, what does an early learning framework look like and what are the benefits?
Let’s start with some practical examples.
We visited one of Explorers Learning Academy Mittagong centres to see early learning in action.
1 :: Learning through play
“Play based learning incorporates gross and fine motor skills, communication, problem solving, imagination and language through role-play, trial and error and peer interaction,” Lindsay explains.
We watch as a group of 4 and 5-year-olds busily work together to create a dam within the little creek that flows through the outdoor learning area.
There’s plenty of communication, task delegation and problem solving happening – all amongst the kids.
“Something as simple as filling buckets with rocks and diverting the flow of water requires critical thinking and problem solving,” says Lindsay.
“Working in a team environment is something many adults struggle with. But by ‘doing’ in a meaningful way, the children are developing these team skills of sharing ideas, listening to others, voicing their opinions, negotiating, discussing and praising each other.”
2 :: Creative play
“Creative play is how a young child sees the world and their place in it,” Lindsay says.
“Children intuitively play a role in a scenario which helps them develop cognitive, social and physical skills as they ‘play their role’ and interact with their friends.”
We move indoors where a group of children are going ‘shopping’, loading up their baskets with all sorts of items to take back to the kitchen in preparation for crafting up a pretend feast.
“This is where our educators would take the opportunity to add another layer of learning on the children’s creative play and prompt a discussion about healthy food,” Lindsay points out.
Then perhaps they plan a real cooking experience to extend on that child’s learning.
“Experienced and knowledgeable educators will always look for a way they can incorporate a teachable moment into a child’s daily activity.”
“The approach is intentional and organic, rather than it being heavily structured.”
“Every child has specific goals set to support their learning journey,” Lindsay continues.
“Teachers plan activities that support children with their emotional, social, physical growth and other areas which may be deemed as more ‘academic’ such as numeracy, literacy, STEM – but all through play so we don’t stunt a child’s yearning to want to learn!”
3 :: Early literacy and numeracy
“An early learning centre will encourage children to incorporate counting and reading into their day with a play-based approach,” Lindsay says, as we wander across to the sand pit where children are ‘making’ cakes.
A lovely educator is sitting in the sandpit with them [that’s dedication!] and encouraging the children to find some twigs and sticks to place on the top of their cakes as candles.
They all scurry off, focused on finding some ‘candles’. Once they’ve placed them on the top of their delicious sand cakes [activating fine motor skills], the educator then helps them count how many candles they have on each cake.
Subtle, fun and meaningful, right? DEFINITELY early learning in action.
4 :: Outdoor learning and incorporating nature
“We’re so lucky to have so much outdoor space and be right near the bush here in Mittagong,” Lindsay says.
“We incorporate outdoor learning into so much of what we do.”
We wander past the veggie patch, say hi to the chickens in their coop and then watch as a group of 3-year-olds sit in a circle ready to play with the resident rabbit, Biscuit.
The educators encourage discussions about what the rabbit feels like, the colour of the fur and eyes, how many paws he has…….. that subtle connection between what the kids are doing and the opportunity for a learning moment.
So good!
Another group of children are about to head off to the bush that borders Explorers Learning Academy.
“We take the children on daily walks where they’ll make outdoor rooms using whatever they find on their travels or sit on logs and listen to a story about a native animal or something related to the outdoors too,” Lindsay says.
So, what are the benefits of an early learning approach? Why does this framework make such an impact on our mini-Highlanders?
- Helps brain development
- Improves vocabulary
- Creates positive learning behaviours
- Equips children with social, cognitive and emotional skills required to help them continue learning as they move into kindergarten and beyond
- Teaches children how to make friends and interact with peers
- Develops empathy and co-operation skills
- Encourages independence
- Builds confidence
- Encourages self-regulation
- Introduces routines which help with emotional and cognitive development
- Supports the transition to school
- Prepares children for being kind citizens
That’s a pretty impressive list!
“Absolutely – we want our children to be critical thinkers who can problem solve and contribute to a social and just society,” says Lindsay.
“The early years of education is the perfect time and place to set up those foundations.”
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