Do you sometimes feel like you're not spending quality time interacting and playing with the children? Perhaps it often feels like you're jumping from one task to the next or having constant interruptions for children that need help.
"No Time to Play"
May 16, 2019
Two things I used to find helpful.
1. Take 10- 15 minutes standing back in your provision during an average day. Watch what's going on and make a note of every time a child comes up to you and asks you a question. At the end of your 10 minutes look at the list of questions you've had. What do they tell you? 'Can I have some glue?', 'Where is my coat?' or 'I can't find the sellotape?' Then consider your learning environment and think about what you need to do to support the children's independence. If there is something children are generally finding tricky like using scissors run a masterclass on this.
2. I also used to organise myself and my team in a loose rota. (This would have some degree of flexibility due to fascinations)
Base Boss- This person would be in the learning environment and float around and support children that might have low levels of engagement, need help with accessing the toilet or understanding feelings and behaviour. Having one person in this role allowed for other educators to be involved in more sustained interactions or activities.
In Provision- Working in provision with high quality interactions moving learning on.
Outdoors- Working in the outdoor learning environment supporting play, teaching and learning.
Obviously depending on the number of people working in your team this structure can vary slightly.
I hope this helps,
Kimberly x
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