Providing opportunities for Free Play

 

This year we changed our approach to the way we do our learning. We encourage our students to learn and play outside as much as possible.

At 8:20 staff set up our outside play area with a variety of play activities for them to engage with. 

On arriving at school from 8:30 - 9:00

They complete their morning routine, this includes unpacking their school bags and using the toilet etc. Then students are allowed to access Free play!!  while waiting for the rest of the students to arrive.

Some students will engage in play activities straight away

and some students need a bit of encouragement from 

the staff to play. 

Creating a safe and positive environment for our learners!!

We have all been facing challenges with Omicron since the beginning of this term and it is affecting almost every school here in Aotearoa, especially Auckland.

Household contacts and COVID cases continue to rise have really impacted both students' and teachers’ well-being including the way we teach and learn.

While facing these challenges, It is really important for us teachers to create an environment where our students feel safe to engage in their learning and interact positively while going through these tough times.

During our free Play sessions, the teachers are supporting students to interact, explore and engage in these play activities. We use whatever resources we have to set up a variety of play activities for our learners!!

Researchers
Researchers say that Kids pay more attention to 

academic tasks when they are given frequent and brief 

opportunities for free play. 

References: The cognitive benefits of play. 

https://parentingscience.com/benefits-of-play/

Welcome to 2022!

 

My name is Silivia and this year I will continue to focus on implementing Play-based Learning in my classroom. 

Due to the uncertainty of COVID and the challenges our children are facing in everyday life. Learning through play is a great tool that definitely supports our children in their learning journey.

How can I create a safe and positive learning environment for

my learners to engage, being connected and courageous 

to face challenges in their learning strategy!!

Classroom Set Up.

My teaching Cupboard inspired me the way I set up my classroom. 

Setting up my classroom took a bit of time. First, I had to think of how to set up my class based on the limited spaces available in my classroom. Secondly, how to resource these areas? 

So What did I do? 

I started slowly…. area by area. I created areas in the classroom as I go. I gathered some resources before the lesson and put them into the area and also after the lesson. Whatever activities and resources I made or made by the students during the lesson are also put into these areas.

We are currently working with the children to create our 

Literacy corner. Children are taking part in setting up and creating resources for these areas. 

Here are some areas already set up in my classroom.

Outdoor Play Area	Reading Corner	Nature Corner
Eating Area	Mat Area	Maths Corner
Literacy Area Still in Progress!!	Work stations	Self Regulation Corner

Have a look in my classroom.