Building a path

A group of four and five year olds have decided to build a path with some logs and planks in the school outdoor area. They have to communicate their ideas and work together to make it work.

Good for looking at

• COEL - Play and exploring, Active learning, creating and thinking critically
• Co-operative play
• Object play
• Communication
• Effective practice
• Maths
• Understanding the world
• Science and technology
• Learning outdoors

 

A group of four and five year olds have decided to build a path with some logs and planks in the school outdoor area.

Notice

• How are the children learning? Which areas of development, engagement and characteristics of learning can you observe?
• In what ways does the adult support the children’s learning?
• How does the environment support the children’s learning?
• What is valuable about the materials provided as learning resources?

Recognising

What did you recognise about:

• The way the children are learning – what evidence did you see of effective learning?
• The areas of learning and development that were covered through their self-chosen play activity?
• The adult’s role – how did she support the children?
• The importance of the environment and the materials?

Responding

• What would you do next? How could you extend their learning?
• How could you encourage the children to discuss and understand what and how they have learned?
• Did watching the clip help you notice any particular strengths or weaknesses that you might have when trying to support children’s problem solving and co-operation skills during their play? How could you use this? Could you support others with something you are particularly good at? Or find some one to support you with an area you find difficult?
• Could you suggest a way of encouraging this kind of co-operative play in your own setting?