Building on children’s interests, strengths and needs
The knowledge you gain through observing the children in your care will help you design engaging experiences for them. Nicole, the team leader in the 3-5’s room, has learned that Curtis loves dinosaurs and she plans to build some activities and a learning centre based on dinosaurs.
Click on the photo story on the right to listen to Nicole’s plans.
Planning for Curtis
Nicole has been observing Curtis as he goes about his daily activities. To find out what she observed and how she recorded it, read the following.
Curtis' Anecdotal Record (Word 65Kb)
Curtis' Running Record (Word 61Kb)
Curtis' Time Sample (Word 59Kb)
Curtis' Developmental Checklist (Word 109Kb)
What is a learning centre
A learning centre is an area that is based on a child's or children's interests. It may be a display created around a particular interest, or an area of the environment that is enhanced due to an interest of the time.
A learning centre has been described as:
'... a collection of resources with particular experiences in mind which children may engage in at their own pace and interest.'
Arthur et al, 1996, Program and Planning in Early Childhood Settings, p.5, Harcourt & Brace.Setting up a dinosaur learning centre
'The learning centre needs to be located in a suitable corner of the classroom and as it is organised with a particular interest and in an attractive and appealing manner, it draws children's attention.'
Arthur et al, 1996, Program and Planning in Early Childhood Settings, p.5, Harcourt & Brace.To assist Curtis to socialise at a level he is comfortable with, set a play experience with two sand trays next to each other with a duplicate set of play materials to include dinosaurs, gum nuts, pebbles, pine cones, bark, strips of corrugated cardboard, icy pole sticks etc.
This play experience will provide opportunities for Curtis to play alongside another child and could assist and encourage a successful, enjoyable interaction between the two.
What kind of items could you add to the dinosaur learning centre for Curtis and the other children? Keep in mind his strengths and needs. Try to include homemade items, as well as commercial ones.
Write your list of items, and why you have included them, in your notebook.
Using the dinosaur learning centre
The dinosaur learning centre will be eye-catching and spark many discussions for the children and their families.
Nicole could also run group discussions about the learning centre to help Curtis develop his social skills. The learning centre will be a great way to enhance his already developing memory skills. The sand tray will provide another opportunity for him to explore (including dinosaurs).
Perhaps Nicole could introduce some memory games as well, and encourage Curtis to play them with other children. That could help ease him into communicating more often with them.
