Within this class, we began by reflecting on our childhoods specifically, the core memories we had. What were our first memories of play? What stood out in these moments? For me, I remember running through my orange and blue sprinkler on a sunny day. The grass was slippery and green, and I loved the feeling of dashing through the cool water. Listening to others’ memories definitely triggered more of my own. I enjoyed hearing the joy in everyone’s voices as they shared nostalgic stories from their childhoods.
We then watched this video:
This video explained the importance of risky play and outdoor play. I think the biggest concern in our society today is that children are becoming glued to screens. Children need to experience play, especially as their brains develop rapidly at a young age. Making connections with the environment is a key part of learning.
We then had a presentation from the amazing Laura Lee-Phillips.
This presentation began with a grounding check-in, during which Laura listened to how we were feeling at the start of class. She explained the benefits of beginning classes with this strategy, as it helps students practice self-regulation and facilitates emotional settling. Laura then discussed the importance of play at a young age. She explained that play supports the creation of a generative and compassionate social field, while also increasing readiness to connect with others and build a sense of community. We then went through UBC’s website on compassionate systems leadership https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/compassionate-systems-leadership/ where I learned the three core elements of compassionate systems leadership.
3 core elements Internal work : includes self-reflection and practice Relationship work : authentic connections where space is created to truly present System work : recognizing and addressing interconnected structures, leveraging systems thinking to create meaningful and sustainable change.
Laura then presented the class with beautiful binders containing the BC Early Learning Framework, which held a plethora of resources for us, as upcoming teachers, to use in our future classrooms. While these resources are primarily designed for the primary level, they can still be valuable tools for working with students of various ages. Overall, the presentation was amazing! I had many takeaways about how play can support lifelong learning for our students, as well as numerous resources that will benefit us as future educators.
What teaching competencies did I feel connected to this topic the most:
Uvic – 11) Implement pedagogically context-appropriate sound practices linking assessment for/as/of learning, planning for learning, instructional strategies and approaches to engage all students in relevant and personalized learning
BC Teaching Standard 1 – Educators value the success of all students. Educators care for students and act in their best interests.
I feel that these standards align best with early childhood education, as planning for learning is highly beneficial for young students. Engaging students in a more personalized learning environment, where they can play and explore in their own way, supports their growing minds. It is also essential to value the success of all students, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and engage in new forms of play. This broadens their understanding of the world around them.